GUEST POST from Sissiboo Coffee Roaster (First published Jan. 3 2024)
With 2023 coming to a close Jon and I realize we are heading into our 15th year of running Sissiboo Coffee Roaster. By now, it is kind of family folklore how we were warned no one would cross the street from “downtown Bear River” to our spot on the strip, how the only source of heat for years was the teeny tiny roaster we started out on, how we “decided” to have twins a year into starting a business, how we didn’t take a wage for 7 years and all the other things we did to scrape together a living….
But standing at this milestone of 15 years, to us the real accomplishment is not actually that we’ve been in business for this long. The real accomplishment is much bigger than us, it existed before us and is entirely the reason for our success. This accomplishment being that despite so many pressures and temptations to do otherwise, there is a deep and abiding commitment from all of you to build and appreciate small rural economies. Within the simple framework of a space and a product, our business is more than we ever could have imagined, and constantly evolving, thanks to the contributions of all of our customers.
We may have set up a loom and blocked the legs and made sure the sun and the rain are kept in check but it is you, all of you, who are weaving community tapestry: conversations that reflect who we are and what we are doing–from humour to civil disagreement, a chat about the to-do list, a secret shared, an update on the neighbours, a moment of silence, the necessary weather report. Children who play with the blocks and put the books away, he who encourages sunflowers in the window, those who top-up the pay-it-forward cards, the appreciated workers of all kinds, the political and the personal in constant refinement, those who are behind the posters of every imaginable event that decorate the walls and the windows, the singular and entirely unique expressions of art that warm our walls….
And beyond our corner of NS, there are so many other small businesses that collaborate with us who in their own unique ways are spinning community fabrics just as beautiful and necessary as ours.
There is not much that feels simple about these days, including at times the effort and process of building community. But it is a skill we know humans have and should continually work to strengthen. It is an honour to be a part of this region and truly, gratitude is given. Thank you for enabling us to be in business these past 14 years.
Whatever this time of year means to you and yours, we wish you peace and good winter rest. with love, Jon and Erin, Sissiboo Coffee Roaster, Bear River, Nova Scotia
(Jeri’s note: Thanks to Jon for permission to repost this! If you’re ever in Bear River or Annapolis Royal, Nova Scotia, be sure to stop in to Sissiboo Coffee for great coffee and great service!)