What has become a long-time gathering place in Ladysmith’s downtown core could soon be no more.
Opening in March 2006, the In the Beantime Café, will be closing its doors at the present location on Nov. 30. Owners Campbell and Kristy McIntyre said the building they are in has been sold.
“This past fall the location was put up for sale by its longtime owner and sold quickly,” Campbell (Cam) McIntyre said. “While we had hoped the purchaser would consider leasing the location to our business, this sadly was not the case. In the Beantime will be vacating it’s High Street location by Nov. 30 this year."
Originally opened by childhood friends Campbell and Scott Hull, along with Scott’s parents Bill and Sharon it has been at its present location from the beginning focusing on fresh, home-made food and fresh, organic coffee.
“In the Beantime Café has seen many changes since its inception; the Beantime, we believe, has been successful from its opening day,” the McIntyres said. “Our quick success led the two of us to open a second location in Courtenay in 2008. Our partner, Scott, moved up to Courtenay to run that location while Kristy and I stayed here to run the original shop.”
Scott left the business to move to California in 2009 and the Courtenay location was sold.
In 2009 the McIntyres started another business with Steve Brock named the Gulf Islands Roasting Co. The new coffee roasting company was housed in the same location as In the Beantime Café.
“The Roasting Company allowed the Beantime to guarantee a supply of fresh organic roasted coffee while also creating a retail and wholesale business,” he said.
Due to its success the new company quickly outgrew the confines of the High Street location and moved to its own space in 2013. The McIntyres sold their interest in the roasting company to Brock, which was later purchased by Level Ground Trading.
“In the Beantime has still fulfilled it’s original goal of creating a guaranteed supply of fresh roasted, organic coffee and still brews and sells Gulf Islands Roasting Co coffee to this day,” McIntyre said.
Over the years the McIntyres have employed more than 200 locals, many of them students with their first jobs. At the recent Chamber of Commerce Spirit of Ladysmith awards the local café/restaurant won top prize as the Business of the Year with one to 10 employees.
“In 2015 we bought out our partners in the Beantime,” McIntyre said, “And since then the success of the restaurant has continued. We had the opportunity of operating a second restaurant, the Oyster Bay Café, seasonally, on the Ladysmith Community dock from 2016 to 2022.”
That venture came to an end due to the transfer of the water lot lease to the Stz’uminus First Nations band.
“Unfortunately In the Beantime will be vacating its High Street location by the end of this month,” said McIntyre. “While the future is uncertain, we are looking intensely for local solutions for a relocation plan to enable In the Beantime Café to continue being a part of the Ladysmith community. We want to continue to provide the same friendly, fresh and healthy fare to our tremendous customers in the future. We will keep you updated as our plan moves forward."
The McIntyres will be having a special event on Light Up day, Thursday, Nov. 28, from 4 to 8 p.m., offering hot chocolate and goodies. They are inviting all their faithful customers and previous staff to come and enjoy, chat, and share memories.
