When LadysmithB次元官网网址檚 beloved cafe, In the Beantime, was forced to leave its home of 18 years due to the sale of its building, the community rallied in support. Social media platforms buzzed with encouragement, while customers came in droves, offering help and sharing hopes for the cafe's future. That outpouring of love and loyalty became a driving force for owner/operators and life partners Campbell and Kristy McIntyre as they navigated an uncertain transition.

B次元官网网址淚t was a bit of a snowball of support,B次元官网网址� said Kristy. B次元官网网址淧eople stopped by, called, and messaged us asking how they could help. It was heartwarming to see how much the cafe meant to everyone.B次元官网网址�

Thanks to that encouragement and a stroke of good fortune, In the Beantime found its new home with an offer of shared space with Plantitude, LadysmithB次元官网网址檚 renowned vegan restaurant. The arrangement allows both businesses to retain their distinct brands and operations while benefiting from shared resources and collaborative opportunities.

The two businesses operate on complementary schedules: In the Beantime provides breakfast and lunch service during the week and weekend mornings, while Plantitude focuses on lunch and dinner service Friday through Sunday. This setup ensures each has time to shine and customers can enjoy the best of both.

While two restaurants sharing a kitchen might seem complicated, especially when one is exclusively plant-based and the other serves animal products, meticulous planning has made it seamless.

B次元官网网址淥ur cutting boards are colour-coded, and our walk-in coolers and freezers are divided,B次元官网网址� explained Cam. B次元官网网址淭hereB次元官网网址檚 no crossover, and everything is kept fresh and organized.B次元官网网址� 

The partnership has also opened doors for menu innovation. In the Beantime has expanded its plant-based offerings to appeal to PlantitudeB次元官网网址檚 loyal customer base and Cam and Kristy have even expanded their own ideas about plant-based food through PlantitudeB次元官网网址檚 owner Karen OlenikB次元官网网址檚 expertise. Now they can look forward to more people enjoying their existing menu of fresh dishes made from scratch as well as Olenik and her teamB次元官网网址檚 offerings.

B次元官网网址淲eB次元官网网址檝e always had vegan options, but now weB次元官网网址檙e adding more,B次元官网网址� said Cam. B次元官网网址淲e want people to feel welcome, no matter their dietary preferences.B次元官网网址�

The cafe now offers several vegan breakfast and lunch dishes with plans to further expand the menu. In the Beantime is incorporating some of PlantitudeB次元官网网址檚 ideas into their menu and the two kitchens are working together to develop some fresh, creative dishes. 

The collaboration feels like a natural fit, but the move wasnB次元官网网址檛 without challenges. The Beantime team had just 60 days to break down their old location and find a new home while ensuring their staff could keep working.

B次元官网网址淲e needed to make sure that our team was employed,B次元官网网址� Kristy said. B次元官网网址淲e wouldnB次元官网网址檛 have this business without them. Making sure that was the same was a huge priority for us.B次元官网网址�

Their determination to stay in Ladysmith where theyB次元官网网址檝e built strong ties with the community drove every decision.

B次元官网网址淲e looked at spaces in Duncan and Nanaimo, but our hearts are here,B次元官网网址� said Kristy. B次元官网网址淭his is where our kids grew up and this is where our caf茅 belongs.B次元官网网址�

The communityB次元官网网址檚 response reaffirmed that commitment. When the move to PlantitudeB次元官网网址檚 space was announced, excitement spread quickly. Despite the short move timeline, things aligned so well you might think this plan had been years in the making.

Now settled in their new location, In the Beantime and Plantitude are embracing the spirit of collaboration. From shared distributor orders to brainstorming new menu ideas, the partnership shows how two businesses can come together to create something greater than the sum of their parts and serve great, healthy food to the community while they do.