Ashcroft Bakery and Coffee Shop

Debbie Tuohey had worked in a dental office for 20 years, but found her gaze being drawn over and over again to the empty building across the street. It had previously been a bakery for over 120 years, but had been closed for several months. "It looked so sad!" she said, and finally she knew that it was calling out to her. She told her husband, "I think I need to buy that building!" He wasn't entirely convinced at first, but today he's her biggest supporter and "personal handyman and all around helpful guy" at the Ashcroft Bakery and Coffee Shop.

After buying it in 2001, Debbie fixed up the interior, upgraded some of the equipment and developed some fabulous recipes. Today the shop not only supplies locals with baked goods like breads and cakes, but also provides a place for people to just come, hang out and chat with friends over coffee. Debbie has many regulars who come in to meet for coffee with the same folks week after week, as well as locals who come in for their favourite daily treats.

Relationships, says Debbie, are key to running a successful business in a small BC town like Ashcroft. Debbie has lived in Ashcroft for years and has always been actively involved in the community and local organizations. When she decided to buy the bakery, her friends were extremely supportive, and continue to be today. Debbie believes she's probably met everyone in town, and the odd time that someone comes in that she doesn't know, they may "come in as strangers but they leave as friends!" Debbie is proud of her staff, who she says work hard, love their job and help to make the shop a friendly, welcoming place.