It is with the greatest congratulatory excitement that my good friends opened their new retail venture this weekend. Named the "Harvest Bakery and Cafe", located on Water St. in downtown St. Marys, and owned and operated by Dave Ford, Claire Pickel and Sam Santandrea, this is bound to be a positive and unique facelift to downtown St. Marys. Selling fresh baked breads and pastries and coffee and grounded in the values of the "100 Mile Diet" , selling only "Fair Trade" coffee and using eco-friendly compostable coffee cups (disposable waxed cups has always been something that has been a thorn in my side with all major coffee chains in Canada), they are a young trio that not only have a dream, but a purpose. All 3 have a background in the restaurant industry, all 3 working their way through the Westover Inn, with Claire holding the position of Patissier, Dave being a prep and appetizer specialist and Sam just completed his Chef's papers only a year ago, so knowledge behind the scenes is anything but lacking. With their families behind them from the design process on up, bundles of youthful energy and ambition to spare, one would hope their success is secured. Most of all, a desire to support the local and global reaches of the economy by breaking down the pattern of globalization that has damaged and exploited the poor. By bringing the vogue of old is new, local is cool and adding a singular bold effort in St. Marys to reverse the process of small town knee-hacking by the megastores is more than duly noted. To me it also adds a taste of hip-YAY!-and a snapshot of the city based neighbourhood bakery/cafe that are their district's meeting place, beating heart, and part of a network of equally connected local producers...just what I needed. I give a big hat's off to Dave, Claire and Sam and wish you the best in bringing some genuine flair downtown...all the best!
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