I’m not one for making New Years resolutions. I find them pretty much useless. So this year instead of making any resolutions, my goal is to “support local.” But let me back up a bit and explain what I am talking about.
What I have done in the past is choose a word or a theme to embrace as a lifestyle change. One year I chose to go-green. Meaning that when I had the choice of fries or salad, I would choose the salad. I still do that. Usually. Well, once in awhile.
Another year I decided to stop doing the Canadian thing and saying “sorry” when it was actually uncalled for. Like when I need to pass by someone in the grocery store I used to say “sorry” as I passed. What the hell was I sorry for? I wasn’t sorry!
Ironically that was the year that I ended up eating my words and a healthy dose of humble more often than any other time of my life. “Oops, sorry about that.”
This year my theme is to “support local”. Or maybe more specifically, “eat local.”
My goal is to continue supporting small, independent, family run businesses. Because the fact is, the financial bottom line for big mermaid or dead hockey player themed coffee shops will be just fine. In fact, they will probably do better than fine. They’re making serious bank.
Independent shops like Doughnut Love – a new addition to the Coquitlam community, is a small shop operated by a local couple who have put their hearts and their money into doing something cool – making awesome doughnuts and coffee.
I look forward to continuing to support them in the new year. Which is also I am have no goal or resolution to lose any weight – I need to keep supporting my local doughnut shop.
I’ll also be supporting C Market Cafe. Another local coffee, breakfast, brunch, lunch place. Their food and drinks are equal parts edible art and pure deliciousness.
I look forward to continuing to support them in the new year.
When time allows I’ll also be supporting my favourite greasy spoon – the Northern Cafe and Grill.
Located down near the Knight Street bridge in a ramshackle building inside a working lumberyard, they serve excellent diner food. Nothing glamorous, just really good quality, filling, diner food. Breakfasts, burgers, Chinese food…just simple goodness from a great family.
True story – I typically visit them on spring, summer, or winter break. Every time I go in – they remember me and what I ate the last time I visited. Love the Northern Cafe.
Another greasy spoon cafe I like – the Parkcrest Diner. Good diner food in north Burnaby.
Of course when visiting Fort Langley we’ll always grab a croissant and a coffee at Blacksmith Bakery. They’ve expanded to a couple more locations but they keep that family and community vibe going strong.
And yes, when we can once again travel the Fraser Canyon, we will most definitely be stopping at the Blue Moose. Sandwiches that fill us up and again, coffee drinks that please all of us.
One new place we’ve added to our “support local” roster is Ramen Bella in Port Coquitlam.
After I got out of the hospital post-surgery I was craving a bowl of beautiful broth. We visited Ramen Bella and even though it was probably the weirdest order (can I get a bowl of broth with nothing in it) they’d ever had, they didn’t blink or treat me like I was crazy, they just brought me a bowl of broth.
After a month in the hospital where all I ate came through an IV tube into my arm or a square dish of yellow jello, the broth at Ramen Bella PoCo felt like it was the most delicious thing I’d ever eaten.
Yep, in 2022 I will be supporting local. Are you making new year resolutions for 2022? If you want to share, feel free to comment. And if there’s another local place I should know about, let me know.