Sip and shop for house accents, repurposed furniture and special paint products.
It’s a new concept for the Azilda region, on the west side of the City of Greater Sudbury.
La Jeune Café opened its doors inside the newest space of Vintage Feather two months ago. Vintage Feather is the exclusive supplier of fusion paint and also sells reclaimed furniture pieces and home decor.
The mom and daughter duo of Mandeigh Ouimette and her mom Carrie Lajeunesse are running the café counter.
“We share the space,” said Ouimette.” Customers can shop and indulge in macchiatos and some of our best selling pressed sandwiches.”
The menu offers Southwest sandwiches and grilled cheese melts like the popular “perfect dill grill cheese.”
There are homemade meatball subs as well a line up of fresh salads that can be eaten in the café or as a “grab and go” meal.
As for drinks, there are new refresher drinks every month, as well as staple café drinks like matcha, chai and caramel macchiatos.
Even with the latest hot spell, Ouimette says the drink requests are an equal mix of hot and cold.
Ouimette says given they are located in a plaza with a medical building, walk-in clinic and a laboratory service, there is no shortage of customers.
This summer, they test-piloted a patio and music night in Azilda. Ouimette says it resulted in the strongest sales of the summer. They plan to keep that momentum going strong into the fall.
Ouimette, who also owns a photography and event planning business is excited for the sip and shop prospects.
“When Vintage Feather has workshops and classes, we will be here to serve,” she says. “When customers come in, we will also be here.”
Ouimette says there is also a 25 person event room that café staff can cater for in the future as well.
She says living in Chelmsford and working in Azilda, their food options are generally fast food chains. La Jeune Café offers a local and authentic option that celebrates vendors nearby.
“We are bringing in gluten free options from Amici and Gluten Free Galore with homemade treats by Shannon in Azilda and Cakes by Mel in Chelmsford as well as Regency Bakery breads,” she adds.
The expansion plans are already in the works. This month they will make more room for some in-house baking. Mandeigh says they will also add fresh and frozen yogurt from Central Smith this fall, which will include keto, sugar free and dairy free options.
“My bar hopping days are over, “ she jokes. “I am all about café hopping in my middle age years and I hope that trend is in the cards for others too.”
La Jeune Café is the plaza with Vintage Feather located at 93 Notre Dame Street West.
You can follow them on Instagram or Facebook.
Anastasia Rioux is a writer in Greater Sudbury. Let’s Eat! is made possible by our Community Leaders Program.