Brock Williamson grew up in Shoal Lake, Manitoba – population 700 – so he knows a thing or two about small towns.
His dad owns the IGA store there, so he has more than an inkling of what it is like to run a business in a hamlet. And, he worked in a restaurant in high school.
“I’ve always had an understanding and appreciation for small towns,” the new owner of Lounge in Minden – where the 50’s Diner used to be – says.
The business staged a soft opening May 4 and is now open, although still a work in progress.
The Lounge features a coffee and pastry bar, as well as breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Williamson and his crew have been working around the clock to clean and renovate the space and get it ready for customers.
“I just want to create an environment where people can come and feel comfortable,” Williamson said. That is important to him, ever since moving to British Columbia to go to college.
After working out in the morning, then going to school, he’d head to a coffee shop. “It was my place to study. I would sit down with my laptop and do my notes and have a coffee and it was a good morning for me.
“I found that my happy place was being in a coffee shop. I’ve always wanted to own a coffee shop. I have no idea what I’m doing, but I’m learning,” he says with a wry smile.
The kitchen is up and running. The coffee and pastry area are complete. The bathrooms are renovated. The sitting area is painted and the floors done. Some temporary furniture is in, with pieces held up at the U.S. border due to tariffs. There is artwork up that will be for sale. It is a huge transformation from the 50’s-style diner that used to exist in the space.
“We’re putting a lot of money into this restaurant to make it look nice,” Williamson said. Behind the scenes, it’s also been about ensuring the restaurant is clean and up to code.
“We’ve been working nonstop from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. every day.”
The restaurateur said this past Sunday’s soft opening was “a huge success” but also part of the learning curve. He said they were not prepared for the volume of business and are looking to add staff.
A woman walks by the outdoor patio where Williamson is sitting and tells him, “I’m getting another cappuccino.”
Williamson said, “people have been very inquisitive for sure and very impressed with what we’ve done. I’m very proud of what we’ve done here. The staff have been great.”
As for what is on offer, he describes it as a “modern café bistro, or artisan café bistro. Offering a moder atmosphere with chill vibes and a focus on beautiful plates and local artist artworks on the walls.”
You can follow them on Instagram – lounge_espresso-bar; Lounge Café on Facebook. They are located at 12311 Hwy. 35, Minden.
