During it鈥檚 first 12 days in business in December, the Firehouse Cafe at the Aldergrove Community Station House raised an estimated $2,500 for 91原创 Meals On Wheels by selling meals, pastries and coffee.

91原创 Meals On Wheels Services Society executive director Shannon Woykin said they were open just three hours a day to begin with, a 鈥渟oft opening鈥� that allowed the non-profit to make a call for volunteers to help operate the cafe in the 2900-block of 272nd Street, a former 91原创 Township firehall that used to house the Milsean Shoppe chocolate factory before it was purchased by the municipality.

鈥淭he point of the cafe is to help fund our programs in the back, which is meals on wheels,鈥� Woykin explained.

For now, the Firehouse Cafe is open from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday to Friday.

鈥淲e鈥檒l see what the community wants and what hours we open,鈥� Woykin told the 91原创 Advance Times during a Wednesday, Jan. 4 visit.

Cafe coordinator Karen Long noted the cafe offers the same fare that is delivered to clients.

鈥淲e have quite a selection of treats,鈥� Long remarked.

鈥淎ffordable meals for people to come in and enjoy.鈥�

Chef Jessica Lemay, a pastry chef with experience opening new dine-in businesses, promised a varied menu that responds to diners鈥� suggestions.

鈥淚 like to get a lot of feedback,鈥� Lemay said.

鈥淚 like to hear what people like to eat.鈥�

Lemay called the cafe position her 鈥渁bsolute dream job鈥� because it allows her to be creative.

鈥淚 wake up in the morning and I ask, what do I feel like making that day,鈥� Lemay enthused.

Decadent chocolate brownies, carrot cake muffins and 鈥渢o-die-for鈥� cinnamon buns are especially popular menu items.

Woykin said working in the same space with so many tempting pastries can be a challenge.

鈥淓at with your eyes,鈥� is how she manages.

READ ALSO: Setback delays opening of planned Meals on Wheel drop-in cafe in Aldergrove

What was described as an 鈥渦nexpected delay鈥� in October forced a postponement of the cafe opening, while Meals On Wheels looked for a contractor.

The non-profit did not disclose the reason, other than clarifying it wasn鈥檛 health-related.

Long-range plans for the facility include culinary teaching programs, allowing other service providers to run Food Safe programs, as well as teaching canning skills.

For more information about MOW or to volunteer for the cafe, drop by during business hours, phone 604-533-1679 or email info@lmow.ca.

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