THUNDER BAY — The Bean Fiend Café is taking down its sign after nearly 14 years.
As of March 24, the café will operate at a limited capacity – until a new operator can lease the space.
Brian Hamilton, the owner of the Bean Fiend Café, has owned the space since it was a shop called Red Earth Imports. He said the café has been an integral part of his life over the years.
“It’s tough. I’ve never probably had such amazing staff that I have right now,” said Hamilton.
“We got an incredible customer base. We love where we are. Bay and Algoma is our home, but ultimately, I think this is a time of change and transition for everyone, not just for me.”
Part of the reason why the café is closing, said Hamilton, is that he has another job. He is the city councillor for McKellar ward.
“People might know of my other job. It takes up a lot of my time and energy. It’s kind of where my heart is and my devotion. A restaurant is a finicky creature, a café even more so. So doing this kind of off the side of my desk is just it’s not tenable,” said Hamilton.
Hamilton encourages local residents to reflect with their dollars and their support on what kind of community they want to build.
"Owning a small business in this particular business climate is not easy," he explained, taking his hat off to anybody out there who’s toiling in this economy right now.
He hopes with the café’s closure, people will be encouraged to really get out there and support the local small business community, which is struggling.
“Support your favourite local businesses. They are not going to be up front always about where they’re at, but I could almost guarantee that they are in a position where they can really utilize some support right now post COVID economy (and) the Trump economy,” said Hamilton.
“Like a lot of the uncertainty right now is reflected in everybody’s business operations. So, I mean get out there and shop local, support local businesses. It’s never been more important than now.”
Hamilton said he really doesn’t know what’s next for him.
However, it is his hope, he added, that a new operator in the location can pick up where they left off to some degree, serve the community in a really substantial way and build a great business down where they did for a long time.
“I think there is potential to really breathe some fresh life into this business and really take it to the next level and I hope somebody picks it up,” said Hamilton.
He and his staff have built a bit of a community around the place, he added.
“In many cases it's less about me and it's more about the team, right? This has been nothing short of a team effort. I’ve probably had dozens and dozens of staff over here, over the years and everything — the menu, the decor, like everything — that we’ve done here has been a collective effort,” said Hamilton.
Hamiliton said he wanted to give a shout-out not only to the multiple staff members that have really made the place what it is but also to the community’s involvement.
“Ultimately, this is just a centre point in a really interesting colourful district and we wouldn’t really be here without the team, certainly without our customers and I just want to recognize the community that’s actually made this happen,” said Hamilton.
