An Osoyoos cafe has come up with a creative way for you to enjoy a cup of coffee and treats safely in your own bubble 鈥� literally.
Junction 3 Coffeehouse has installed heated and lit bubble domes outside of their cafe on Main Street.
鈥淧eople are more comfortable being outside right now so my business partner and I were looking for creative ways to keep our customers happy and safe during the colder months,鈥� said Junction 3 owner Sara Van Der Hoeven. 鈥淲e looked into glass houses but that would require more than these igloos, which are temporary enclosures.鈥�
In keeping with Dr. Bonnie Henry鈥檚 request of having people stay within their bubble, Van Der Hoeven said her bubble domes do exactly that and more.
鈥淭he bubbles fit a maximum of six people. We鈥檝e installed little fireplaces and lights. It鈥檚 really cozy and quite a pretty experience. The bubbles have become quite an attraction,鈥� she said.
Van Der Hoeven has ordered two more bubble domes and is thinking of increasing the evening hours to the coffee shop.
READ MORE: Osoyoos looks at winter patios during pandemic
鈥淭he igloos are heated so we can keep them going through winter. It鈥檚 something fun to do, to come and have a warm drink and food, in the comfort of your bubble,鈥� she said.
So far it is first come, first gets a bubble. But if it gets really popular, they may start taking reservations.
鈥淲e do have one reservation for this Saturday. A couple who had their first date at our coffee shop six months ago want to celebrate their anniversary in a bubble,鈥� said Van Der Hoeven.
鈥淲e think that鈥檚 pretty cool.鈥�
Junction 3 Coffeehouse opened May 2, during a global pandemic. Van Der Hoeven said they were all set to open in March.
鈥淎nd then COVID happened and we said, 鈥榃hat are we going to do?鈥欌��
Van Der Hoeven decided to open in May, turning her cafe into a take out window.
鈥淲e鈥檝e never opened the inside to the public yet,鈥� she said.
The people of Osoyoos immediately welcomed the coffee shop into the community.
鈥淭he people who live and work here are so amazing. We love where we live,鈥� she added.
Quickly, people were coming to Junction 3 to get their java fix on a regular basis.
鈥淲hat we witnessed was something really special,鈥� said Van Der Hoeven.
鈥淚t was May, so people had been locked in their houses for so long, we were all craving conversation. These people who didn鈥檛 know one another before, started coming for coffee and sticking around to talk, six feet apart, of course.鈥�
Those same people became friends who now meet for coffee regularly, she said.
Van Der Hoeven said their flat whites and lattes are pretty popular as are her homemade cinnamon buns.
You can order online before you arrive, too.
鈥淕rab a seat in a bubble and have your morning coffee ready for you when you arrive,鈥� she said.
monique.Tamminga@pentictonwesternnews.com
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