Homegrown Success and Farm Fresh Food
After sixteen years of providing hearty, healthy food and great service to downtown Duncan, the Duncan Garage Café and Bakery is expanding into the former Community Farm Store space, featuring more seating, a child’s play area and a third till. Due to this expansion, the cafe will be closed for renovations between February 16th-20th 2020. Get in beforehand to get your special baby cake! Read on to know more about the history of this growing and popular establishment.
Visit the Duncan Garage Café and Bakery any day of the week and it will likely be buzzing with activity and the sounds of happy folks eating some of the best (vegetarian!) food in Duncan - from sundried tomato and chickpea wraps to mini-cinni hearts.
Ever wonder how this popular spot got its start?
The heritage building in which the café is located was built in 1912 and originally housed the Duncan Garage, a Ford dealership and car repair business. It was occupied by this business until 1983, at which point the building was mostly vacant for many years.
In 2000, owner Jeff Winship began redevelopment of the building and it opened as the new location of the Duncan Garage Café and Bakery and the Community Farm Store in 2003.
The Garage, as it is affectionately known to locals these days, is a well-loved community hub that has been serving delicious organic vegetarian and vegan food since its beginnings at the Glenora Community Farm Store.
Owner Sue Minette was the first certified organic farmer in the Cowichan Valley and has always been a keen cook and baker. Her admirable commitment to sourcing the best and freshest organic ingredients has shaped strong relationships with local farmers and nearby suppliers whose products go into the café’s delectable offerings.
As one of the first adopters of the farm-to-table ethos, the Garage has always been a leader in promoting the importance of a clean and sustainable supply chain from the grower to the consumer.
Ever evolving to serve its large and loyal customer base, the Garage will be closed from February 16th-20th for renovations. Among other efficiencies, a third till will be added to the front of house, and the space formerly occupied by the Community Farm Store will be reworked to add more customer seating as well as a community rental space. Local artwork will be showcased, and a children’s play area created.
Sue’s vision for the future of the Garage can be summed up as “keep going.” It is her passion to help to create a better world that inspires her to press forward, despite the many challenges that present themselves in the course of running a small business. She also enjoys working with young farmers and is always keen to develop new partnerships to keep serving the community better and better.
Head on over to 330 Duncan Street for this month's special baby cake! Call 250.748.6223 for more information.
