COCO Cafe held a soft-launch re-opening earlier this month to allow various alterations to the non-profit's service delivery model. (File Photo/NanaimoNewsNOW)

By Ian Holmes

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‘We wanted to refocus:’ beloved Cedar cafe re-opens with sharpened mandate

Mar 24, 2023 | 5:23 AM

NANAIMO — Following nearly a dozen years of community service, a popular cafe employing people with varying abilities hit the reset button.

Marc Taschereau, general manager of COCO Cafe on Cedar Rd., said they closed their doors for about two months early this year in order to better serve their employees and customers.

“We wanted to refocus on the core cause which was providing employment and socialization opportunities to people of varying abilities,” he said, stating the challenges brought on by the pandemic were another factor in taking a step back.

A notable change is an evolving, easier to prepare collection of breakfast and lunch menu items, which Taschereau said is a better fit for their mix of 25 full and part-time staff.

For example, the eggs benny has been replaced with a breakfast wrap.

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Several new beverages have been introduced, while the cafe also underwent an interior face-lift, Taschereau noted.

Another change is COCO Cafe recently shifting from a co-operative to a charitable society.

The public has evidently responded favourably to the new-look Coco Cafe, Taschereau said.

“Without any promotion we had customers streaming back in. We’re back up to where we were before just based on word of mouth.”

Previously open seven days a week, COCO Cafe is currently open Tuesday through Saturday’s from 7:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Taschereau said it’s their intention to expand their operating hours in the future.

He hopes as many customers as possible can offer their honest feedback of the new-look Coco Cafe.

“That’s why we’re inviting the community to come be involved, try out our food, try out our new beverages and give us your feedback.”

COCO Cafe is located at the Village Square shopping complex at 1840 Cedar Rd.

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ian@nanaimonewsnow.com

On Twitter: @reporterholmes