All vegan, gluten-free café coming to Kelowna next month
A Kelowna couple who started their small vegan baking business selling at farmers' markets will have their dream of opening their own café come true in a matter of weeks.
Owners of True North Bakehouse, Jaide Hatfield and her partner Joel Murga, will be opening the doors to their all-vegan and gluten free café in mid-September.
"We’re going to be like a full-service coffee shop," Hatfield said. "Which is exciting since it’s the first fully vegan and gluten free bakery café."
Hatfield and Murga launched True North Bakehouse in 2018. Since then, they've been selling their vegan gluten-free baked goods at farmers' markets, cafes, grocery stores and most recently through their online ordering service.
They had planned to move into a retail space several months ago, however the COVID-19 pandemic put their plans on hold.
"In the first couple weeks of March, we were almost about to sign the lease," Hatfield said. "Then COVID happened, and we had to shut down for a couple months."
READ MORE: Kelowna couple used pandemic shutdown to rebrand and expand their vegan bakery
The duo decided that if it was meant to be, the space would be available once their business opened back up. When sales started to pick up again, they checked, found out the space was available and signed the lease Aug. 1.
"We’re making headway, and we’re excited," Hatfield said. "It’s gorgeous, we have a huge patio space, we’re going to have tables outside and there’s a big bar inside that people can sit at as well."
The pair have partnered with Kootenay Coffee to serve espresso drinks in addition to their own vegan gluten-free baking.
True North Bakehouse will be located in Rutland on the corner of Leathead and Rutland Road.
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