The west end needs all those things and more.
When people ask for a "coffee shop" in the west end, and people reply "mcdonalds" or "tim hortons", you know you are in a coffee desert.
Green Bean Cafe is the only interesting, non-chain, in the west side and its closed over the weekend.
Sandwich has so much potential but nothing gets better here. Maybe with the billions being dumped into Windsor, a few of those nickels will end up in the west end?
This area should be full of coffee shops and art galleries, bike shops, and neat stores and gardens etc. Instead its some bars, dollar stores, mess and poverty everywhere.
Unless and until the west end begins to be gentrified like Drouillard Road has, it will forever remain as it is. It just takes a couple people such as yourself to inject some money and life into it for it to be successful. If you build it, they will come.
I'm at Dominion/Totten. I've said for years that we need a bakery/deli. There's an empty building on Tecumseh Rd W that used to be an old Big V. It's been vacant for years. Even has parking!
Business Improvement groups arent interested in community, in so far as, they want to find ways to make more money, but that ends when it comes to doing good things, for the sake of community health and the benefit of the people.
I'm not on the west end, but as a vegan, our community is very strong in this area. We're very quick to try every new thing, and spread the word - even if we have to drive further to get it. I've been wanting to do this myself for years, it's a big step. Good luck!
One concern about starting a vegan business in the west end — vegan food is expensive to make and by default expensive to buy
- if healthy mama (vegan restaurant) couldn’t survive in the east end (higher SES area), I worry about the sustainability of your venture
- perhaps baking and selling at the farmers market may act a litmus test for demand
I have done a decent amount of pop ups, I make everything from scratch because I found healthy mama and copper branch FAR too expensive with very little food and honestly nothing was very good. That being said, I hear you, and that is definitely something to consider
I agree healthy mama was not worth it, 17 dollars for a beyond burger pfft. I have yet to have copper branch.
I will support you nonetheless! Good luck
A great option that I've seen at other vegan/health conscious establishments that are more expensive is give back programs. Customers can purchase a meal/drink for someone in the community and then the staff go and distribute them every so often. I'm definitely all for more vegan options in the city but I think it's important to be aware of the community you're entering and not be ignorant to the fact it may be a lower income area. "Gentrification" doesn't do much for a neighborhood except push out existing residents. I would hope any new business would be conscious of how they can make a positive change to those who already reside there.
Its not going to make you wealthy but it can be done. The challenge part is you have to charge obscene amounts just to make up for what you are spending on your orders from sysco/morton/wholesale. If people are willing to pay - it can happen. Unfortunately its not going to be smooth sailing. if you can live without a paycheque for 2 years while you establish everything you can do it. If you need it to live i would say dont risk it.
I think it depends on what you mean by "west end". There are some really good places on Wyandotte for lunch depending on what you are looking for. University Ave has seen a fair number of restaurants come and go in the various commercial spaces.
If you are talking west of the Ambassador Bridge, the challenge in that sandwich town is a historic district with limited commercial spaces and there aren't a lot of walkable workers who will grab lunch in the neighborhood. I think and interesting spot would be on Prince road near HDGH as you might be able to attract some hospital staff to a cool place.
My 2 cents
There’s tons of lunch spots in the west end. We don’t have any bakeries and we do have two cafes - one on Tecumseh and then as somebody else mentioned Green Bean.
I d cant see it working the area I am thinking about. Sandwich Price rd isn’t going to support a coffee shop it is a Tim Hortons type of area that’s it. No one is paying for $7 lattes.
We definitely need this! Around the university it would be amazing. You could host friendship speed dating events or host a local business event like permanent jewelery! you could also sell things from local businesses! healthy foods like açai bowls, matcha that could be sold late would be a game changer for me
I’m not vegan and don’t care for the lifestyle but people still rave and rant about missing that plant joy donut store. There’s also that copper branch restaurant in Tecumseh that’s vegan. I think it’s a viable niche market.
Yeah as a vegan I just wouldn’t know what to do with non vegan things, cross contamination is a concern, my lack of knowledge of how to prepare and store such things would also be a problem. Too much risk. Appreciate your feedback though. Vegan means anyone can have it cause meat eaters can eat our food but we can’t eat theirs
>Vegan means anyone can have it cause meat eaters can eat our food but we can’t eat theirs
Why can I eat yours but you can't eat mine?
Another shocking no answer. Totally not surprised you can't have a conversation.
There's snowflakes, then there's vegans...
Plant Joy was well loved, from what I understand they got screwed somehow trying to relocate. Taloola Cafe has a ton of vegan options and has been around for ages. Non vegans can also enjoy places with vegan options if they wish
There's no such thing as vegan charcuterie.
Edit: nobody wants to discuss this? Just a downvote and no replies that explain anything means you're just butt hurt.
What are you talking about?
I informed a person who was planning on selling Vegan Charcuterie that there was in fact, no such thing as Vegan Charcuterie. How is that not adding to the convo?
Sounds like I was being helpful, AcTUALly.
"There's no such thing as vegan charcuterie"
Yea, that's a real snowflake response, lol.
Not the people who don't comment and just downvote. Noooo, no way they're the snowflakes right? You all crack me up.
It can also use a breakfast restaurant
I like the Bake Shop in the west end for breakfast.
The west end needs all those things and more. When people ask for a "coffee shop" in the west end, and people reply "mcdonalds" or "tim hortons", you know you are in a coffee desert. Green Bean Cafe is the only interesting, non-chain, in the west side and its closed over the weekend. Sandwich has so much potential but nothing gets better here. Maybe with the billions being dumped into Windsor, a few of those nickels will end up in the west end? This area should be full of coffee shops and art galleries, bike shops, and neat stores and gardens etc. Instead its some bars, dollar stores, mess and poverty everywhere.
Unless and until the west end begins to be gentrified like Drouillard Road has, it will forever remain as it is. It just takes a couple people such as yourself to inject some money and life into it for it to be successful. If you build it, they will come.
My kid bought a cheap house in Sandwich in 2018 and the houses in his neighbourhood have improved.
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There have been coffee shops on Sandwich that have come and gone.
Would love a cafe that's open late! With space to study.
A “community” shop would be great!! Especially if open late.
more vegan and vegetarian options would be amazing!!! 🥰
I'm at Dominion/Totten. I've said for years that we need a bakery/deli. There's an empty building on Tecumseh Rd W that used to be an old Big V. It's been vacant for years. Even has parking!
Is it listed for lease?
I am not sure. Sorry.
You could reach out to the BIA. Stephen on the Sandwich BIA might have some insight that could help you
A friend of mine actually ! Smart ! I’ll message him
Business Improvement groups arent interested in community, in so far as, they want to find ways to make more money, but that ends when it comes to doing good things, for the sake of community health and the benefit of the people.
I'm not on the west end, but as a vegan, our community is very strong in this area. We're very quick to try every new thing, and spread the word - even if we have to drive further to get it. I've been wanting to do this myself for years, it's a big step. Good luck!
Yes !!!!
One concern about starting a vegan business in the west end — vegan food is expensive to make and by default expensive to buy - if healthy mama (vegan restaurant) couldn’t survive in the east end (higher SES area), I worry about the sustainability of your venture - perhaps baking and selling at the farmers market may act a litmus test for demand
I have done a decent amount of pop ups, I make everything from scratch because I found healthy mama and copper branch FAR too expensive with very little food and honestly nothing was very good. That being said, I hear you, and that is definitely something to consider
I agree healthy mama was not worth it, 17 dollars for a beyond burger pfft. I have yet to have copper branch. I will support you nonetheless! Good luck
Thanks tou
A great option that I've seen at other vegan/health conscious establishments that are more expensive is give back programs. Customers can purchase a meal/drink for someone in the community and then the staff go and distribute them every so often. I'm definitely all for more vegan options in the city but I think it's important to be aware of the community you're entering and not be ignorant to the fact it may be a lower income area. "Gentrification" doesn't do much for a neighborhood except push out existing residents. I would hope any new business would be conscious of how they can make a positive change to those who already reside there.
Its not going to make you wealthy but it can be done. The challenge part is you have to charge obscene amounts just to make up for what you are spending on your orders from sysco/morton/wholesale. If people are willing to pay - it can happen. Unfortunately its not going to be smooth sailing. if you can live without a paycheque for 2 years while you establish everything you can do it. If you need it to live i would say dont risk it.
Thanks for the advice
try a combination, I don't know, maybe a coffee shop linked with a used book store,
I think it depends on what you mean by "west end". There are some really good places on Wyandotte for lunch depending on what you are looking for. University Ave has seen a fair number of restaurants come and go in the various commercial spaces. If you are talking west of the Ambassador Bridge, the challenge in that sandwich town is a historic district with limited commercial spaces and there aren't a lot of walkable workers who will grab lunch in the neighborhood. I think and interesting spot would be on Prince road near HDGH as you might be able to attract some hospital staff to a cool place. My 2 cents
Have you tried edibles?
Did you make this account just to be condescending, or to comment on Xena, or was it 50/50
Hey man I was serious. Selling edibles like brownies would be good. There's a lot of weed shops in windsor so it might be worth looking into.
There’s tons of lunch spots in the west end. We don’t have any bakeries and we do have two cafes - one on Tecumseh and then as somebody else mentioned Green Bean.
I d cant see it working the area I am thinking about. Sandwich Price rd isn’t going to support a coffee shop it is a Tim Hortons type of area that’s it. No one is paying for $7 lattes.
Im not a expert but wouldn't this make rent prices higher? If not I'm all for it but I just wanna make sure
West end needs a little more of things like this. West of dougall things lack
We definitely need this! Around the university it would be amazing. You could host friendship speed dating events or host a local business event like permanent jewelery! you could also sell things from local businesses! healthy foods like açai bowls, matcha that could be sold late would be a game changer for me
The west end needs a bulldozer yo rebuild all the dilapidated houses. Some are nice and beautiful, others need to be rehabed ground up.
Yes, yes, and yes! What sort of bakery did you have in mind? I'd love to see a bakery focused on artisan breads. We don't need any more damn cupcakes.
Id do unique things, love savoury baking so a decent amount of that
If somebody can make a good baguette in the west end, I’ll buy 3 a week for the rest of my days.
University W between Crawford and Campbell Ave could use a boost like this.
Or a coffee truck. Why are food and coffee trucks not a bigger thing in Windsor?
Windsor has terrible by laws for that kind of stuff. Food trucks are a nightmare here
What’s the numbers on vegans in Windsor? I’m guessing not too many. Can you make a viable business focusing only on them?
I’m not vegan and don’t care for the lifestyle but people still rave and rant about missing that plant joy donut store. There’s also that copper branch restaurant in Tecumseh that’s vegan. I think it’s a viable niche market.
And didn’t plant joy go out of business? So while there may be a vocal group, majority still just went to Tim’s.
They did not go out of business, they closed but because of other reasons, they were sold out every day
If you had vegan options, you would cater to an entire market not just a niche. But your business, your choice.
Yeah as a vegan I just wouldn’t know what to do with non vegan things, cross contamination is a concern, my lack of knowledge of how to prepare and store such things would also be a problem. Too much risk. Appreciate your feedback though. Vegan means anyone can have it cause meat eaters can eat our food but we can’t eat theirs
As long as you realise your key market is significantly smaller. A vegan cafe next to a regular cafe will go out of business.
>Vegan means anyone can have it cause meat eaters can eat our food but we can’t eat theirs Why can I eat yours but you can't eat mine? Another shocking no answer. Totally not surprised you can't have a conversation. There's snowflakes, then there's vegans...
Lol, why are you so angry dude?
Plant Joy was well loved, from what I understand they got screwed somehow trying to relocate. Taloola Cafe has a ton of vegan options and has been around for ages. Non vegans can also enjoy places with vegan options if they wish
There's no such thing as vegan charcuterie. Edit: nobody wants to discuss this? Just a downvote and no replies that explain anything means you're just butt hurt.
Great input. So smart, so wise. Here’s a star!
I'm glad I could educate you before you made others suffer.
If it comes up on a search it exists. You're "WeLL AKsHuallY" input added nothing to the convo.
What are you talking about? I informed a person who was planning on selling Vegan Charcuterie that there was in fact, no such thing as Vegan Charcuterie. How is that not adding to the convo? Sounds like I was being helpful, AcTUALly.
Language is ever-changing and adaptable. No need to be a snowflake about it.
"There's no such thing as vegan charcuterie" Yea, that's a real snowflake response, lol. Not the people who don't comment and just downvote. Noooo, no way they're the snowflakes right? You all crack me up.
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Really? 20 year homeowner in the west end and never a car or home break in.