Press Release
Maple House cafe attendants Sarah D’argent, Shelley Ellsworth, Ellie Costain and Jared MacNeill with Maple House Site Manager Heidi Chaisson. Maple House Bakery and Cafe is celebrating its 10th anniversary by holding a Customer Appreciation Week from May 10-16. Melissa Heald photo
It’s been 10 years since Maple House relocated from Gaspe Road to Ellis Avenue in O’Leary, allowing Community Inclusions Ltd, who runs the social enterprise, to open a cafe to go along with their bakery operation.
“It’s been a wonderful opportunity for our clients to have this space and be attached to the bakery and cafe,” said Maple House Centre Site manager Heidi Chaisson.
The Maple House Centre has been offering day programs to the clients of Community Inclusions, a non-profit organization that provides supports to adults with intellectual disabilities, since the early 70s. At its prior location, the centre operated a bakery with a small storefront.
Looking to grow their social enterprise, as well as find a space that was more accessible, in 2015, Community Inclusions purchased the former O’Leary Liquor Store. Following successful funding applications, the building underwent extensive renovations, allowing an expansion of services with the addition of a 30-seat, sit-down cafe.
It’s been a decade since Maple House Centre relocated from Gaspe Road to Ellis Avenue in O’Leary. The move allowed the social enterprise operated by Community Inclusions Ltd to add a cafe to its already existing bakery. Melissa Heald photo
Maple House Bakery and Cafe officially opened in January 2016, allowing the location to become a valued gathering place in O’Leary and western PEI. Carol Corcoran has been a support worker with Community Inclusions for 19 years. Working in both Maple House Centre locations, she said the new spot has been great. “There’s a whole lot more jobs and opportunities for our clients to be more involved,” she said.
Community Inclusions clients Billy McKinnon and Spencer Mullett help to put away a recent order of supplies that arrived at Maple House Bakery and Cafe. Those attending day programs at Maple House Centre do odd jobs for the bakery and cafe. This also includes doing dishes, busting tables, packaging products and making goods like chocolate balls and cookies. Melissa Heald photo
Chaisson said clients do jobs in both the cafe and bakery, including doing dishes, busing tables, packaging products and making goods like chocolate balls and cookies.
“They support our bakery and staff with a lot of those jobs,” said Chaisson. “Having the bakery and cafe gives them the opportunity to be seen by the public doing meaningful work.”
Some of Community Inclusions clients are even employed by the cafe.
Like Jared MacNeill, who began working at the cafe after receiving support through Community Inclusions Employment Services Program. With the help of a support worker, MacNeill learned how to take orders, deal with cash, busing tables and more.
MacNeill likes coming to Maple House because it allows him to socialize with others, with Chaisson adding he is very good at his job because he pays attention to the details.
To celebrate its 10th anniversary, Maple House has decided to turn their annual Customer Appreciation Day into a Customer Appreciation Week.
“We’re really hoping to let our customers know we appreciate their continued support,” said Chaisson. Community Inclusion Executive Director, Kevin Porter, said the business wouldn’t exist without the support of the community.
“O’Leary, the surrounding areas, western PEI and beyond, we want to say thanks,” he said.
The celebrations kick off with Maple House having a soft opening on Mother’s Day from 9 am - 1 pm on May 10.
Before the COVID-19 pandemic, the cafe was open on Sundays, but during the pandemic the location was closed on Sundays and has pretty much stayed closed that day.
“We tried a couple of times since then to try to get back to Sundays, but it just hasn’t worked out,” said Chaisson.
They’re hoping this time by having a soft opening where they will only serve breakfast it will help them get back to being open on Sundays.
Through May 12-16, there will be two daily draws and May 13 will be Customer Treat Day with free coffee and tea and complimentary sweet treats.
Chaisson said that week will also see them launch two new daily specials - lasagna with homemade garlic bread on Wednesday and hash brown casserole with a homemade roll on Friday.
Growing into the future, thanks to the federal Local Food Infrastructure Fund, Maple House will be upgrading their existing equipment and purchasing two greenhouses and related garden equipment. The hope is this investment will help keep food costs down and support on-site food production.
Client Raven McKay enjoys coming to Maple House Centre.
“I love that we get to hang out with our friends,” she said.