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The Essential Café & Bakery celebrates grand opening

The café on Schmon Parkway is a dream come true for owner; 'We always wanted to have a café where we can come and sit and have a nice coffee and baked goods'

Even though they’ve been open since February, The Essential Café & Bakery on Schmon Parkway finally had its grand opening on Thursday morning.

“We always wanted to have a café and bakery so our dream has come true here in Thorold,” says owner Alexandra Stojanovic, in an interview with ThoroldToday.

Stojanovic used to own a bed and breakfast in Niagara Falls with her husband Dan, before selling it and starting The Essential Café & Bakery. She says that opening a bakery is continuing a family legacy.

“My grandfather had three bakeries in former Yugoslavia,” she says. “All his life he’s been baking. He was a very well known baker.”

The Essential Café & Bakery had a lot of curious customers when it first opened in February.

“We were really busy,” says Stojanovic. “Everybody wanted to see the new place. Because it is by Brock [University] our first customers were students but now with other places opening up people are discovering us.”

Stojanovic says The Essential Café & Bakery draws inspiration from European cafés.

“Since we moved to Canada we’ve noticed a lot of cafés opening, especially in Toronto,” she says. “We always kind of wanted to have a café where we can come and sit and have a nice coffee and baked goods. Something for people to come and relax. It’s their place, for them to come and have their moment.”

Regional Councillor Tim Whalen and Mayor Terry Ugulini were on hand on Thursday morning to give speeches during a ribbon cutting ceremony.

“Welcome to the City of Thorold,” said Mayor Terry Ugulini. “We’re the hub of the Niagara Peninsula. The truth is all roads lead through Thorold and we’re happy you chose Thorold as your location. This is going to be a great addition.”


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Bernard Lansbergen

About the Author: Bernard Lansbergen

Bernard was born and raised in Belgium but moved to Canada in 2012 and has lived in Niagara since 2020. Bernard loves telling people’s stories and wants to get to know those that make Thorold into the great place it is
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