How a vacation turned into a new cafe for St. Joseph Island (10 photos)

Every person who walked through the door and ordered something to eat on Saturday at the Black Bear Cafe and Eatery was helping Mary Lou Eckmeier fullfill her dream to own her own cafe.

Customers sampled various cooked dishes and watched a ribbon cutting ceremony at the newly renovated cafe Mary Lou and her husband, Roy, opened in St. Joseph Township on St. Joseph Island.

When Roy, who is originally from the Barrie area, decided to retire from FedEx they started looking for a place on the water. Mary Lou spent 38 years out west and wanted to be near water.

After 15 years of running her own book and gift store in Cochrane, Alta. Mary Lou wanted a cafe' and gift shop but ended up not finding a good location. 

The couple searched from coast to coast looking for a place to call home.

Their six grown children are spread across Canada so they weren't partial to any one geographical location.

They looked at the west coast, but waterfront property was too costly and the winters too long on the east coast.

"Why not take a look where I grew up, Sault Ste. Marie," Mary Lou said adding she often visited St. Joseph Island as a child. "We weren't looking to live here, but have a vacation."

After looking at real estate, they found their home in Hilton Township. 

Not ready to retire, Mary Lou looked into business listings and made an offer on their now acquisition, finalizing the deal after Christmas.

After taking possession of the island business, they added their own touches and flair with a fresh new look and feel with the help of family and friends.

It also houses a gift shop with a wide variety of gift ideas by local artist and artisans.

"We wanted a place with a social atmosphere," she said, adding she has baked all her life with a retail background. "When we looked at this place it was the best fit for us. We wanted a concept that fit us. Something that was fresh, and new, and different with a northern Ontario lodge look."

The cafe has been busy since it opened the door on May 17, employing seven high school students and four adults.  

Over the past two weeks, the Eckmeiers hoped the students would have the opportunity to ease into their jobs but that didn't happen. They hit the ground running.

"For the most, this is their first job," Roy said, adding the students submitted their resume while the Cafe was being renovated.

Every venture has its challenges and Mary Lou said, and for them, i'ts sleep and keeping up with the pace with product moving off the shelves faster than expected. 

They want the cafe to be a place for the community, to bring friends, and family where one can feel at home. 

"If you want to be embraced by the community, it's a two-way street," Roy said. 

Although they bought the old bakery, they are not bakers.

"I bake for pleasure, not trade," Mary Lou said, adding they offer a good, affordable product.  "It (baking) is a creative and artistic thing for me." 

Every day there is something new, fresh and different coming out of the kitchen, Roy said. But when it's gone, it's gone.

Tomorrow is another day.