sweet distractions at seven shores

​Ok.  Once again I had a plan for today.  Henry is at my mom’s and I was going to get caught up on my coursework.  But then I got distracted.  I got distracted BY THE BEST RASPBERRY WHITE CHOCOLATE SCONE I HAVE EVER TASTED IN MY LIFE.  

​So, here I am, all settled in with my laptop at Seven Shores Urban Market and Café on Regina Street in Uptown Waterloo.  I should be all business, working away at my website and marketing plans, but instead, I am blogging about the little treat that just made my day.  The sun is shining, I am toddler-free, and that scone was the crowning glory.  (I am trying to ignore the ridiculous build-up of snow and the bitter temperatures that mock those of us who had hopes that April actually meant spring).  

​You need to come to Seven Shores and experience the gastronomic joy I am experiencing.  I really want that for you!  I often hear people raving about the treats here, so it didn’t come as any sort of surprise.  But seriously.  You can’t improve on this scone.  Although, I’m pretty sure that I’m going to have another one, just to be sure.
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Let me tell you a little bit about Seven Shores.  Full disclosure:  I have a small but lovely interest in this café.  Last year I read an article about the café and its new owners – a group of regulars who wanted to keep it open and continue to nurture the sense of community it had inspired in the neighbourhood.  In the interest of really becoming a communal project, they made shares available for purchase so that it could be a truly community-owned endeavor.  Now you have to know by now how much I loved that whole concept.  And so we bought a share.  We don’t even live in the neighbourhood.  We don’t even live in the city.  But we wanted our kids to know what it was to be a part of something like this, and eventually we will figure out how to become more involved and really make it our go-to café.  For now, it’s my little secret getaway when I am in the city on business and can spare some time to just sit and smile and savour the loveliness of this place.  

Here are just a few things I love about Seven Shores Urban Market and Café (in no particular order):

• The food is amazing.  Did I mention the raspberry white chocolate scones?  There are some brilliant bakers at work in that kitchen.
• There is plenty of bright light and lots of seating.  And pretty chandeliers juxtaposed with the rustic wooden décor.  I am a sucker for pretty chandeliers.
• A meeting room is available for customer use, with a long boardroom table and comfy chairs.  The cafe is so packed today that I am working in here, and sharing the boardroom table with a couple of other people who would rather work here than elsewhere today. 
• Sometimes they have kids’ story time in the mornings, writers’ meet-ups in the afternoons and live music in the evenings.
• During summer months, there is a little garden market that operates out front.  The proprietors are a couple of kids who sell the produce they’ve grown in their garden.
• The staff members are delightful.  They are genuine and friendly and clearly love being a part of this special place.  Full disclosure: one of my tenants works here.  He came back part time because he missed it!  
• Supporting local farms and businesses is a core value at Seven Shores (which sort of makes the name ironic).
• There is a play kitchen in the corner so kids can be kids.
• The café doubles as a gallery, showcasing the work of local artists.
• Sticky Bun Friday.  This is a thing.  A very good thing.

​According to their website, Seven Shores is a simple, ethical and relational business at the heart of the local food scene.  They are intentional about enriching lives and making a difference.  How could I not want to be a part of something this special?  I hope you get a chance to check them out and see for yourself what it means to support a local business where people really do matter above profits.  Sit back and watch for a while.  Savour the difference.  And try a scone or three. You won’t regret it.

You can check them out in person at the corner of Regina and Dupont in Uptown Waterloo, or you can find them online at www.sevenshores.ca, on facebook, twitter, and instagram.  People are always posting pictures of their snacks, so you'd might as well participate.  Join the community of people who call this their cafe!