Eileen Richardson runs a busy little cafe and lunch spot in coastal Nova Scotia. She spends her workdays serving specialty coffees and seasonal comfort food to locals and travellers. When she gets a day off, Eileen likes getting outdoors and exploring the Maritime Provinces. She hikes the rugged coastal trails, writes in her journal, works on various crafts, and volunteers at the local maritime museum to help keep the town’s seafaring history alive.
Q: What was your inspiration for opening a cafe in coastal Nova Scotia?
Eileen Richardson: I’ve always loved the ocean. Opening a spot here just made sense to me. Life in a small maritime town follows the rhythm of the tides. There is something very grounding about that. The community completely impacts what we serve. Our menu changes based on what is fresh and in season, but it is also about what the people want. We focus on simple, hearty comfort food. Our regulars love coming to our cafe for a warm meal and a chat after a long day on the water.
Q: How do your trail hikes and journaling impact your business management style?
Eileen Richardson: Hiking gives me a different perspective, forces me to slow down, and build some endurance. I’ve learned to pay more attention to my surroundings. I bring that mentality back to work with me. I use my journal to clear my thoughts, sketch things I see, or write ideas when everything is quiet in the woods. It helps me stay creative. Running a business can get repetitive. The outdoors reminds me to stay adaptable and take things as they come.
Q: What kind of crafting do you do, and do you ever incorporate those projects into the shop?
Eileen Richardson: I mostly focus on acrylic painting and calligraphy, both of which I find to be incredibly relaxing. You can see my work featured on the cafe walls, typically centered around themes of nature and coffee art. I also create handmade centerpieces for each table to give the space a personal touch. These small artistic displays help make the shop feel cozy and welcoming, which is essential since creating a comfortable atmosphere for my customers is so important to me.
Q: What made you want to volunteer at the Maritime history museum?
Eileen Richardson: Living in Nova Scotia, you realize the ocean is the whole reason the place exists. The seafaring history here is full of incredible stories about survival and hard work. Volunteering lets me help keep those stories going. It is important to preserve this stuff because it explains our roots. Knowing what past generations went through on the water makes you respect the town more. I want to make sure visitors actually get to see the legacy.
Q: How do you balance everything, and what can you say to people who desire more community connection?
Eileen Richardson: Honestly, it doesn’t feel like a balancing act. All these pieces feed into each other. Hiking clears my head so I can make better decisions for the business. The museum work gives me ideas for my crafts. Then the cafe is where I get to see everyone. If you want to connect more with your own area, just start small. Go check out a trail close to home. Look into the history of the old buildings you walk past everyday. Support a small business. You don’t have to go far to find a deeper connection to your hometown.
