With warmer weather approaching, Timmins is about to get a new patio in town, when Christopher’s Coffee House throws open the great outdoors to its clients, in the spring or early summer of 2017.
The planning for the outdoor patio at Christopher’s has been in the works for at least one year, but a couple of factors have delayed the long-awaited opening. The patio foundation and fencing was set up in the summer of 2016.
Modifications had to be made to the interior of Christopher’s to accommodate larger washrooms that were required due to the increased seating capacity. Currently, Christopher has a seating limit of about 77 customers indoors.
“The patio will add another 50 to 60 seats,” noted Cameron Grant the son of Mary Ellen Pauli and John Grant the owners of Christopher’s.
That almost doubled the seating capacity and the Porcupine Public Health requires additional facilities to accommodate the larger crowd.
The other factor was the application to the Alcohol and Gaming Commission for a liquor licence, which Christopher’s applied for last fall.
A notice went up and people around the mainly commercial area of Pine St. South, Algonquin Blvd. E. Third Avenue and Cedar St. S. could comment on the application.
The comment period closed and the decision from the Alcohol and Gaming Commission is still pending.
“Many of our customers attending the Friday night jazz piano sessions with Steve Kessler, wanted to know if we could get a license, as a cold beer, or a glass of wine always goes well with listening to jazz,” explained Grant.
“We will only be serving beer and wine,” Grant noted.
The patio will be located on the property between Christopher’s and the Bank of Montreal on the northside of the café.
“It’s a large space suitable for outdoor acoustical, non-amplified, performances – the acoustics are great with sounds amplified naturally by the walls of the bank and the café,” said Cameron Grant.
In addition to jazz under the evening sky on Friday nights, other form of music might also be performed – such as a chamber ensemble or string quartet.
Conveniently, the Timmins Symphony Orchestra’s offices are on the second floor above Christopher’s and Mary Ellen Pauli and Cameron Grant are violinists in the TSO.
“Right now, we have Steve Kessler and his friends playing jazz every Friday nights,” said Grant.
“But we have had concerts and performances by singers and musicians who were releasing a CD, for example,” said Grant.
“Anyone who wants to perform can contact us and make arrangements for a one-time performance or a series of performances, “Grant added.
In addition to music, Christopher’s also features “Art + Heart”, literary and visual arts gathering on the last Saturday of the month hosted by Jessica Trudel and highlighting the works of local writers, painters and sculptors.
Christopher’s also plays host to a group of Timmins knitters and every Tuesday is games night where people are invited to drop by and play their favourite board games.
“We are trying to give the people of Timmins something lively, something that will get them out of their houses and away from the games console or television set,” said Grant.
“Christopher’s has a unique coffee house feel, that resembles that of coffee houses you would find in Toronto or Montreal,” explained Grant.
“Christopher’s holds interesting musical and literary-art events, but it is also a great place to come and meet with friends and talk in a comfortable relaxed atmosphere,” said Grant.
In early April, the New York Times listed Christopher’s Coffee House as a place where people like to meet.
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Grant also indicated that Christopher’s will be introducing new items on their menu.
Though he doesn’t know when the Alcohol and Gaming Commission will issue the liquor license, Grant said they are prepared to open the patio and start serving beer and wine soon after.
With the impending opening of Christopher’s Coffee House, licensed to serve wine and beer, and the opening of its new patio - it joins a handful of other establishments with patios in Timmins – East Side Mario’s, Wacky Wings, Casey’s and Boston Pizza.
The Coffee Warehouse and Vicky D’Amours on Third Avenue also have a patio, featuring a monument to Shania Twain, but it is not licensed. Patrons can enjoy the outdoors sipping on coffee, tea, soft drinks while munching on light lunches or dessert.
Grant indicated that the patio opening will be accompanied by a performance by a local Timmins musician.
And though he wouldn’t say who guest performer would be to get things rolling on the patio, Grant did say this local performer has established herself as an accomplished singer, songwriter in Ontario, Quebec and has had a few shows in Las Vegas.
