Stone’s Throw Cafe celebrates their 9th birthday party with style.
LINDSAY GOSS
Pass Herald Reporter
Local coffee shop and café Stone’s Throw turned nine years old on November 3rd and celebrated the special occasion with local friends in the community. Opened in October 1st, 2003, when owners Steve and Jessica Atkinson dismantled what had been a restaurant store on Blairmore’s main street to turn it into a coffee shop café.
Stones Throw, whose name was inspired by the cozy and scenic mountains that surround the little café can be considered as a unique business in the Pass, as its interior decor is mainly second-hand and used pieces of furniture and equipment.
“We bought the mugs for 25 cents each so it doesn’t matter if one breaks,” Atkinson said. “However, some people become attached to certain mugs, so they might be upset if their favourite breaks,” she added with a laugh.
Originally from Jasper, the Atkinson’s moved to the Crowsnest Pass in hopes of starting up a business that allowed more stability to the family.
“This was a really good place to settle down and have a business.”
“Although it’s been a great nine years, we didn’t know what to expect at first,” said Jessica Atkinson.
She added that business has never been better and it keeps going up every year.
Like her booming business, their ninth birthday/anniversary celebration was also a victory.
“We wanted a big cake and balloons,” said Atkinson. “
“We saw a lot of friends and regular customers,” said Jessica. “It was really special.”
Aside from having a good time, Stone’s Throw had a goal from the celebration- to collect food for their food drive.
Stone’s Throw did a food drive in the spring, in which they collected 370 pounds of food.
“We thought, well if people are coming in for free coffee and cake, they can bring in some food cans for the food drive, “ Atkinson said.
“We were so blown away from the response, we thought we could double or triple it this time around,” she said. “So that was our goal for our anniversary celebration. Have some cake, and coffee with friends, and triple our food drive weight.”
On Thursday, November 15th, Jessica notified the Pass Herald that Stone’s Throw did not reach their goal of tripling their spring food drive but came very close and thanks the community for a job well job.
