Mar. 30, 2011 - Issue #806 : Insidious
Gracious siblings
No sibling rivalry at this café
There's no such thing for Wendy Arrowsmith and Deb Donald, the two sisters who opened Gracious Goods Café this past September. Being business partners works great for them.
"My husband says we are like two book-ends—when we're both there, it works really well. Everything is held up and strong, and if one is not there, everything topples over," Arrowsmith explains.
"We're a good complement to each other," Donald agrees.
The two women had already worked together for four years; realizing that they made a good team, they decided to pair up on a business of their own. Having grown up in nearby Windsor Park, and knowing people in the Belgravia-McKernan area, the women decided to open their business in the neighbourhood. The sisters also wanted to reflect the health consciousness that they shared.
The idea for a coffee shop, as well as the decision to sell lunch, came as input from friends. Arrowsmith says that it was Dave from Fresh Start Bakery and Bistro, one of the suppliers for Gracious Goods, who suggested that the women open a café. Later, other friends offered ideas for the menu.
"We were thinking, 'Just a coffee shop.' More just the drinks and the goodies. Then the people in the neighbourhood that we know, we start telling them, and they said, 'Oh, no—you have to have lunch stuff!' We're like, 'Oh, we do? OK!'" Arrowsmith laughs.
"Before we had even opened the door, it was already grown!" Donald adds, also laughing.
Stews, vegan chili, and paninis are among the lunch offerings.
In selecting their suppliers, the sisters wanted to support other locally owned businesses—their coffee comes from Transcend, while Pinocchio supplies the ice cream. Baked goods come from Fresh Start; soups from the Greenhouse.
"That's close to our hearts, because it's young brothers that started the company together," Arrowsmith explains of the latter.
Both sisters explain that offering a cozy environment was their initial vision for the café. With the warm colours all around, and with artwork on the walls, the place certainly invites one to stay and relax.
Customers include people from the University who will have their meetings in the café, people from the neighbourhood, walking groups, church groups, students, and families. Donald says that she loves seeing one-on-one outings with a parent and a child.
"[The one] which I really like is the father and daughter," she says. "And middle-aged men bringing their moms here for tea."
Friendly and outgoing, the sisters also explain the meaning behind the café's name. Gracious means being compassionate and kind, but also being grateful. These associations led to the name Gracious Goods.
"Our philosophy in life is to be grateful for everything, Arrowsmith says. "Whether it's something good or bad that's happened in life, you can still be grateful for it." V
Wendy Arrowsmith and Deb Donald
Gracious Goods Café
7601 - 115 St
780.758.8686
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