Stone's Throw Café

Spring has sprung in the Crowsnest Pass!

2010-04-22T20:18:00.002-06:00

Welcome spring! We are really halfway to summer, when you think about it. That's the optimist in me, I guess! What better harbinger of spring than sweet little cupcakes with Easter-coloured sprinkles on top? A tiny, wee, decadent cupcake...yum! (Blogger doesn't want my photo at the moment, so you will all have to use your imaginations.)

It's been a busy couple of months here...we've put up a fantastic new billboard east of the Crowsnest Pass to catch all the westbound traffic (mini versions can be had to stick on your travel mug, just ask us!)...we have hired the first of a few new summer staff (welcome Deanna!)...we are continuing to try out a few new things on the menu...and some other new things that will pop up in the next month or so.

Avery is getting to be quite the chunk. He's 20lbs and not quite 5 months! Miles is starting to enjoy having a brother and sings him 'Twinkle Twinkle, Little Star' and 'Daisy, Daisy'.

We hope you are all enjoying the spring days. We sure are!

Sunny day at the Rock Toss

2010-02-21T19:41:00.003-07:00

What a gorgeous day in the Crowsnest Pass! We were quiet with everyone at home probably GLUED to their tv's watching the Olympics. We took advantage of it by hanging out front and catching some rays. Miles did a bit of window shopping. Oh, and checked the water-proofed-ness of his winter boots. They are not.

A shot of our dark and delicious chocolate cake... enjoy!

Happy New Year...belatedly

2010-01-31T19:50:00.003-07:00

Wow, where on earth did January go? It flew right by and I'm only just posting on the last day of the month!

Life with a newborn has been great and Avery has adjusted to life at the cafe just fine! He comes into work and hitches around with mom most days. Who ever said there was no such thing as a free ride?

He's a healthy 14 lbs at 9 weeks, and built like a sausage roll. We are really enjoying this little guy!

We've been having a great winter with the odd slow day interspersed with our busy ones. These days are numbered though, and Family Day, Easter, May long weekend...all the other busy summer events are looming...I mean, fast approaching!

We've been busy trying out some new things in the cafe. Rich and tasty, homemade chicken pot pies have been a hit. We have a few more things up our sleeves that will show up in the next few weeks.

Some fun in the cafe with Pat, Chuck and Jocelyn and a snapping aligator. Watch your fingers, Chuck!

Introducing....Avery Edgar, 9lb 2oz

2009-12-06T11:00:00.002-07:00

Avery made his grand entrance at home on Saturday, November 28th with the help of a wonderful midwife. Avery will soon be making appearances daily at Stone's Throw Cafe. Everyone is doing well and we are really enjoying this new bundle, even Miles!

Happy Fall, Happy Halloween

2009-10-22T12:02:00.002-06:00

Our wee guy is all set for Halloween and we think he's going to score a pretty good stash of candy this year! Isn't he charming!?

In spite of the early bite of winter we had a few weeks back that threated to down trees, we are back to fall. It's funny though, how we missed the fall colours. It doesn't really feel like fall, as a result!

If you haven't been by in a while, stop by and check out our fall soups and other menu items! 'Tis the season for split yellow pea soup, egg nog lattes and pumpkin tarts! Yum. And it's not long until that festive season...I won't say any more, just that we have gift coins available for stocking stuffers or thank you's for your paper boy.

Trans Rockies coming to the Crowsnest Pass

2009-08-07T15:55:00.002-06:00

Once again, this group of super-elite athletes from across the globe will converge on the Crowsnest Pass en route to their finish in Fernie.

Athletes will roll in on Friday, August 14th and settle in for a carb-rich dinner before crashing for the night in miniscule, two-man tents before heading out the next morning to Fernie. This gruelling race that starts in Panorama and ends 550km of wilderness trails and seven long days later in Fernie.

We are looking for volunteers for this event if you are interested in a low-committment opportunity to help your community. Tent set up, meal service, bike security, traffic control...all important jobs, and fun AND you get a free t-shirt! You can sign up at Stone's Throw or the Muni office. What a great way to be an ambassador of the CNP!

Read on at www.transrockies.com

Hello August, Hello Fall.

2009-08-06T13:32:00.003-06:00

It's definitely feeling like fall in the air! It's been cool and rainy which is a nice break from the heat, but it still feels a little too much like October for my liking.

We had someone leave a pair of women's glasses in the store. They are Saks 5th Avenue and a pewter/grey colour with rhinestones. Very pretty. Most of the stuff left in here (ballcaps, mittens, etc) are completely replaceable, but prescription glasses! Yikes. I hope the owner can retrace their steps to having breakfast here in the last day or so.

Where has the summer gone!?

2009-07-28T19:19:00.004-06:00

A great view east from our roof of the midway.

Some fancy wheels!

The Show 'n' Shine attracted quite a crowd.

One of our favourite parts of Rum Runner Days. We're counting the days till next year, Corey!

It's been a busy July! We can't believe how fast it's gone by. Here are a few great shots Steve took from our roof on Rum Runner Saturday.

Busy times at the Stone's Throw Cafe

2009-07-06T09:15:00.003-06:00

It's been a busy few weeks for us here at the cafe! After Global came out for our interview, the Lethbridge Herald sent a reporter as well and we appeared the following day on the front page (albeit, below the fold, lol).

The morning the paper came out, Steve got a phone call from 93.3 the Bee in Lethbridge, asking about our spiffy biffies and was on air later that morning. Luckily he'd had time to pound back a few coffees before they called! It was a lighthearted interview with Steve telling them we don't want any lingerers in there, so no plans to furnish the restrooms with sofas or TVs! We heard from some customers that the item was also on the River that morning as well as a Calgary country station, not sure which one.

Then last Thursday, Norm LeBus from CityTV called to say he'd be out to do a piece on us as well. He did an extremely thorough job, talking to people that were in the cafe, checking out the washrooms, asking Steve what all the fuss is really about, etc. The 2 minute segment will appear tonight on CityTV at 6 and 11, and soon after we hope to have a copy for our website for anyone who has missed it. It's really been such a laugh, but this kind of publicity you just can't buy! The two different dining guides we've been featured in this year haven't created near the buzz this 5-star washroom award has. It's been wonderful.

A brief side note about not letting the fame go to our heads; We had a visit from Jeff Hutcheson of Canada AM fame. I don't know that we've had a surlier customer! He was here doing some golfing, so that ruled out his dog or his mother dying, which might have explained his demeanor. (I try to give the benefit of the doubt.) In any case, in person he was not the jovial fellow you see on the television, not even after a deluxe omlet and a few cups of strong Cupper's coffee! I'll take Seamus O'Regan any day!

Stone's Throw television debut!

2009-06-24T19:30:00.003-06:00

The fine people at Global Lethbridge got wind (no pun intended) of our restroom accolade by website powderroom.ca and came out for a quick interview! They did a lovely shot of the storefront as well as the interior, some of our baking, Steve chopping, and of course our 5-star restrooms! Jessica was interviewed out front and said how lovely it is to get this recognition.

The same day, the Lethbridge Herald sent someone out also to do an interview. That should appear in the next day or so, so watch your Lethbridge paper!

We're #1 for #1

2009-06-11T15:16:00.002-06:00

Ok, so this may be a bit of a stretch, but we've been rated as one of the best places in Canada to stop and visit the potty by website, www.powderroom.ca. (Can you tell we have a toddler?) The accolades just keep rolling in! This is going to go straight to Steve's head.

If you agree that our restrooms are wheelchair accessible, diaper-change friendly and numerous (ok, just 2) and worthy of the recognition, log on to www.powderroom.ca and vote for us!

New table for the store + more seating

2009-05-28T20:04:00.002-06:00

Jessica just finished painting this table for the store. It's a very loosely-defined plaid. It fits in well with the other tables, dontcha think?

There's one plain one left yet to tackle. Should be done before summer season really hits. No one wants to sit at a blank table, right? I mean, if you wanted to do that, there are numerous, faceless coffeeshops, devoid of personality you could go to instead of the Rock Toss...

Some pats on our backs!

2009-05-27T16:10:00.003-06:00

This is mainly a self-congratulatory post, but if we don't toot our own horns, who will?

In Monday's mail we received a letter letting us know that we'd made it into Where to Eat in Canada, 2009. That's always nice to get a bit of recognition in a national publication!

Then in today's mail came another letter, this one from the people at Michelin. We are in their 'Alberta and the Rockies' guide! It's a very nice review, so we will forgive them the other typos (wrong hours, address and phone number, yikes!) The website listed is correct, and we didn't move that far down the street, so I'm sure people will still find us.

Check them out if you need a current dining guide for your glove box. Clearly, they are both quality publications! ;)

Our first rant!

2009-05-26T15:30:00.002-06:00

This is a little belated, as it refers to something that happened over a year ago. Something happened the other day and reminded me and I thought, "What better place to hash it out, than on our blog!?"

As most of you know, we have an extra short guy that rips around here most days. He's often got signs of his last meal on his face and/or shirt, and will give you a hi-five if you ask nicely. Yes, it's our boy, Miles. So it would stand to reason that we are pretty family-friendly. Here's where it gets interesting.

We had a young mom in with her baby and her mother. They sat at a table and had a nice time over their hot beverages and treats. This was a quiet Sunday afternoon and there wasn't much action. We were just getting ready to wind down for the day.

They got up to ready themselves to leave and began preparations for a diaper change. They took the baby down the hall to the washroom and returned, deciding instead to set up a changing station on our bar! I stood for a moment, stymied. I was pretty certain that's what they intended, but at the same time, I was horrified that anyone would really do that in a restaurant, so I thought I must be wrong. No, I wasn't! Before they got down and dirty I asked them to please not change the baby there. They looked at me like I was being unreasonable. I didn't have a great alternative for them...receiving blanket on the floor of the bathroom? It is a bathroom, after all, and we do our best to keep them tidy! I've also changed several dozen diapers in the back and front seat of our truck. It isn't ideal, but it's a far more suitable option than a restaurant table!

Instead, Grandma held baby in her lap while they awkwardly did the deed, swept up the rest of their belongings and on the way out the door she turned to me and said, "The baking was stale" and that was the last I saw of them.

....Until last Saturday when we saw them getting out of their vehicle and going in for a meal at a nice dinner spot here on Main Street. Steve says hi to everyone we meet on the street, and upon his greeting, she stared right through me like I wasn't there. Hope no one changed a baby on her dinner table earlier that night. Ugh.

Comments? Thoughts? Was I in the wrong? We've since added a super-cute sock monkey change table, which is a nice amenity for any restaurant to have. Buuuuuut, still! Gross, lady!

We meet the most interesting people!

2009-05-19T21:02:00.003-06:00

We really do get some interesting people coming into the store.

A few weeks ago we had a location scout in town from Calgary who took some shots of the cafe. They need a coffee shop in an upcoming movie and someone directed them our way. Very cool. We'll let you know when Brangelina show up with their brood to shoot a blockbuster in our store!

Today we had a visit from a business professor at Okanagan College in Penticton. He's taking a sabbatical from work and travelling across the country checking out small, independently run restaurants and cafes. He picked my brain for an hour or so about anything and everything, from where we get our menu ideas to the best and worst parts of owning a business and on to the nitty gritty of bookkeeping and profit and loss statements. He was an interesting guy and we look forward to reading his compendium after it's all said and done. He's heading cross country winding up in London, Ontario, doing his best to avoid the affliction of the country's most ubiquitous coffee chains, which shall go unnamed here.

I'm always after Steve to find out where people are from. He really couldn't care less, but the people we see are from far and wide. Yesterday we had a retired couple who spend a couple months of the year in Peterborough, Ontario, a couple more months out west here, then the winter in Barbados! How cool is that? We need someone like that to inspire us towards our dream of Freedom 45. ;)

Happy May Long!

2009-05-16T21:15:00.002-06:00

It was a busy one at the cafe! Lots of locals and visitors in to enjoy...breakfast, mainly! Good thing you never hear Steve complaining about long hours over a hot stove!

A few garage sales today, being the unofficial start to the summer (read: garage sale) season. One over on 19th didn't see a heckuva lot of traffic today, so plans are to hold a do-over in June sometime. The pooper-scooper is still up for grabs! The wind and the sun sure took a toll on the mom and wee one though. Ouch!

I'm posting this neat shot of some celestial latte art from coffee/foodie blogger, http://caffettino.over.blog.com . You usually see the leaf pattern, which is super exquisite, but this is pretty different and requiring no less finesse! Our Nicki has all summer to perfect it, she says. So, before taking that first delicious sip from your travel mug or styro cup, take the lid off and see what she came up with! Enjoy!

Welcome to Our New Website

2009-05-12T15:42:00.001-06:00

Hey everyone - I hope you enjoy our new website. Please have a look around. I will be posting my thoughts here all the time so come back and see what's on my mind. We will also add photos from time to time.