If not now, when? This is a question a lot of people ask when they are considering a significant life change. For Summerside’s Moyna Matheson, that question led to the fulfillment of a lifelong dream: running her own business. “I had, for many years, searched for the courage to open a business,” says Matheson. “Cafés were my favourite place to spend time whether at home or away. A café gives you that sense of place and community. It is the heartbeat of a community and the people in it.” With that vision in mind– and the knowledge that Summerside needed a place exactly like the one she was thinking of–Matheson took a leap of faith. In 2011 she opened the first location of Samuel’s Coffee House in the former Journal Pioneer building. In the years since, Matheson has expanded her business, adding locations in Avonlea and the Summerside Farmers’ Market. During the Covid pandemic she also opened an uptown drive-thru which proved so popular she kept it going. The menu has grown along with the physical space. Initially Matheson and her team focused on coffee but patrons can now enjoy breakfast, brunch and lunch and have their meetings and events catered. For menu inspiration, the team at Samuel’s Coffee House looks to local producers and their own family traditions. “We believe that food is a way to make memories and relive old ones. Food connects people and experiences, whether it is a recipe your nana made, something you ate as a kid or something derived from your culture or community,” Matheson notes. Consider the café’s Irish soda bread, a staple in Matheson’s family when she grew up and something she wanted to share with her customers. There’s also the rhubarb grilled cheese sandwich, an idea born out of the Island’s abundance of rhubarb. “We think it’s a true taste of PEI,” laughs Matheson. “Other than lobster and potatoes!”
The café has also branched into the tea market with its collection of specialty tea blends available at Samuel’s and wholesale through its sister company Sip T. “Teas like Strawberry Picking, Bridge Jumpers and My Irish Cousin all tell a story through sips. We infused flavours that are reminiscent of these moments,” says Matheson. As Samuel’s grew, Matheson kept returning to the idea of community. She expanded to an adjoining property to open Samuel’s Next Door. Initially intended for the café’s holiday market, it is now a multi-use space available for half- and full-day rentals; think pop-up shops, meetings, photo shoots and even cooking classes. The café’s team also created an evening series for their downtown location called Samuel’s After Dark, which showcases the historic building’s unique evening vibe. Run primarily in the off-season between October and April, the After Dark series includes events like rum tasting, Latin nights and wine tasting. Online ordering, catering and a full calendar of events are available on the Samuel’s Coffee House website, so be sure to check it out if you are in Summerside or plan to visit.
“We believe that food is a way to make memories and relive old ones. Food connects people and experiences, whether it is a recipe your nana made, something you ate as a kid or something derived from your culture or community." - Moyna Matheson
SAMUEL'S COFFEE HOUSE 4 Queen Street, Summerside 902.724.2300 DRIVE THRU 507 Granville Street, Summerside 902.724.0912
CAVENDISH 8779 PE-6, New Glasgow 902.963.3330
Farmer's Market (Saturdays) 250 Water St, Summerside
samuelscoffeehouse.ca
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