Eileen Richardson owns a cozy cafe and lunch spot in a small coastal town in Nova Scotia. Known for its homemade soups, fresh-baked goods, and warm atmosphere, her cafe has become a popular hangout spot for locals and visitors.
Outside of work, Eileen enjoys hiking coastal and inland trails in the Maritime provinces and keeping a journal of her adventures. She also volunteers at a local Maritime history museum, where she helps preserve and share stories of the region’s seafaring past.
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Q: Your cafe has become a local hotspot. What inspired you to open it in a small coastal town?
Eileen Richardson: I spent years thinking about what kind of business would feel right for me. Big cities never really appealed to me as a long-term home. Small town vibes have always been my thing. Life here moves at a slower pace, and I wanted to build something that fits that kind of lifestyle. The concept of it was simple. Good food, a warm space, and a spot where people can feel comfortable staying for a while. Once I found this town, the decision became clear to me pretty quickly.
Q: How is managing a cafe in a small town different from running one in a bigger city?
Eileen Richardson: You get to know your customers on a more personal level. Your customers are your neighbours, your regulars, your friends. That connection changes how you do everything in business. There is also a stronger feeling of accountability. People notice the little details. They remember how they felt the last time they came into your shop. That motivates you to stay level-headed and do things right every day to keep business going.
Q: Your menu is filled with homemade options. How do you choose what to serve?
Eileen Richardson: I lean more into comfort foods. A lot of the recipes on my menu come from things I grew up eating or learned how to cook at a younger age. Seasonal ingredients are also a big part of it. I rotate my soups based on what vegetables are in season. When something is fresh and local, you can really taste the difference. Basically, I try to keep things simple. People come in for something that is flavourful and satisfying, and that’s what I try to deliver.
Q: You spend your free time hiking and travelling through the Maritimes. How does that influence your work?
Eileen Richardson: Being out on the trails gives me time to think. Running a full-time business can be very demanding, so stepping away gives me a nice break from the hustle. I spend my days off in the spring and summer exploring beautiful new trails. Most of the time, I come back with a new idea, like a fun recipe or a small change I can make in my business. There is also something about being connected to the land and the coast that reminds me why I chose to build my life here in the first place.
Q: You’re also a volunteer at a Maritime history museum. What attracted you to that kind of work?
Eileen Richardson: The stories. There is so much history tied to the ocean here, and unfortunately, a lot of it gets ignored. Volunteering gives me a chance to keep those stories alive. I like talking with visitors and hearing about their connections to the region, too. It adds more excitement to my daily life and keeps me connected to the community in a unique way.
