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Coffee Shops in the Kootenay Rockies

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Shoelady

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— A Vancouverite thinks it might be worth leaving the city limits for a cuppa joe.

I've lived in Vancouver for almost fourteen years. Growing up in Saskatchewan, my family travelled to BC almost every summer to visit relatives in the central Prince George area and then made our way south through the Okanagan to pick fruit and just enjoy the spectacular scenery and weather.

One of the areas I have never explored is the south east corner of the province, in the heart of the Rocky Mountains. I've been through Golden and Revelstoke along Highway 1, many times, and also along Highway 3 through Fernie, Creston and Trail, but never the area in between. I would especially like to visit Nelson and the surrounding area. The supposed hippie/artsy vibe is appealing, especially for a relaxing summer exploration trip.

With that in mind, I was very interested to come across a recent article in British Columbia Magazine (Spring 2010 issue) called "Slocan coffeehouses" describing the eclectic coffee shops along Highway 6 in the Slocan Valley. My husband and I love coffee. And cool coffee shops. The article explains that the coffee shops in these small towns are the unofficial town halls of the communities in this rural valley in the Kootenays. The article explains that spending a little time with the locals often leads to discovering how this charming valley turns visitors into residents.

Here are the top three coffee shops I would like to check out in the Slocan Valley:

Sleep is for Sissies
What a great name! A sign on the wall says "Sleep is a symptom of coffee deprivation." It's located on Highway 6 in Winlaw. The owner is a former Vancouverite and says Winlaw is growing. She's predicting that it's going to become the next Banff. This was one of the valley's original coffee stands and is now a favourite dining and live-music destination for locals and visitors. They serve wraps, pizza, rice bowls, barbecued organic burgers, peanut butter-fudge cookies, and an ultra-rich chocolate cake called Chocolate Satin that is made with nearly half a kilogram of fair-trade chocolate. The article says this spot is best for a substantial sit-down lunch, licensed dining and live music performances.

The Cup and the Saucer Café
Locally known as "The Cup", it occupies a late 19th-century building on Silverton's main street, on Highway 6. Owned by Julie and Matthew Fry, who always ask visitors in they have seen Slocan Lake. If they say "No," they urge them to go, "It's right over there!" This café is best for wholesome, affordable food on the go, including homemade soups, Jamaican patties, wraps and sandwiches, butter tarts, and a great view of Idaho Peak to the east. They brew Kicking Horse Coffee blends.

Nuru Design and Coffee Bar
It first opened as just a clothing store, selling the owner's hand-painted apparel. It's located in a small cottage in the heart of New Denver, on Highway 6. This spot is a billed as a great pit stop for the weary highway traveller. They serve homemade cheese scones, ginger-walnut squares, fresh fruit muffins, made to order sandwiches and whole-wheat crust pizza. Best of all, they brew organic Guatemalan coffee from JJ Bean Coffee Roasters in Vancouver. JJ Bean is my favourite coffee of all time.

I love my big city/downtown lifestyle, but it's nice to get a way to somewhere a bit slower paced every now and then. Hopefully, this summer it will be Nelson, BC. I'll be sure to check out the appealing coffee shops listed above.

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