Edible Notables: Grays Cafe

Sisters, best friends, business partners: there are so many ways to describe the entrepreneurial duo that is Amy and Lisa. 

The owners of the recently opened Grays Cafe never intended for running cafes to turn into their livelihood, but they now have over 20 years’ experience doing so. The two grew up in Sidney, but Lisa began her career by managing a coffee shop in Canmore before moving on to account management in Seattle. Eventually, she moved back to the Island to do the same for Salt Spring Coffee Co. Meanwhile, Amy spent many years managing coffee shops in Whistler, Calgary and Australia. 

But the sisters have always been close, so when Lisa lined up a few sweet jobs for her back in Sidney, Amy was convinced to return. Then in 2007, they opened Toast Café with a friend. “We ran it for nine years and loved it,” says Lisa. “But towards the end we were just feeling extremely burnt out in the industry and needed a break.”

Their break came to an end just recently with the opening of Grays Café. “We always planned on opening something smaller and more manageable,” Amy explains. “So when this space became available, we jumped at the opportunity.” 

Of course, the new café is located in their hometown of Sidney. “We grew up on the peninsula; there’s no other place we’d rather be,” says Lisa. And they’ve had no shortage of local support, with a community that has cheered them on from the beginning, encouraging their vision and success. “They’ve been helping us feel so good about what we are doing here.”

The sisters have created a menu that blends healthy food with comfort food, and they offer vegan and gluten-friendly options “that don’t skimp on the flavour!”. The food they create at the café is a reflection of the food they make at home, like their grandfather’s toasted tomato sandwich, their mother’s date shake, and the oatmeal they’ve named after a family dog—Ryder. Their goal is to have a variety of options on the menu that everyone will enjoy.

They attribute their success also to the hard work of their staff. “It takes a team of people to run a business, even a small one,” says Amy. “We’ve learned in this industry to appreciate your staff, trust and listen to them.” The sisters prioritize their staff's training, teaching them lifelong skills that they take with them beyond their employment with Lisa and Amy. “It’s pretty rewarding when they come back to thank you years later,” notes Lisa.

Maybe some of us couldn’t imagine working all day with our siblings, but for Lisa and Amy, running the business together is the best part. “We go through all the highs and lows together,” they explain. “We couldn’t imagine doing it alone.” Their strong focus on family and relationship has created a beautiful atmosphere in their café, where their family loves to drop in for a quick hug and catch up—and of course, a delicious lunch!

The Edible Notables Series is proudly sponsored by Beacon Law Centre.