Internet café open and online

By Carolyn Sloan

Spectator

NovaNewsNow.com



A group of Tim Horton’s regulars changed venues last week, trading in their double-doubles for a cup of organic, fair trade coffee at Annapolis Royal’s first Internet café.

It’s a promising sign for owners Danny and Krista McClair, who felt it was important that the new storefront keep its doors open after dark.

“We’re getting some regulars that we’re seeing, even in just a week and a half,” says Danny. “There was a group of guys here last night that every night they go to Tim Hortons in Bridgetown…They’re from the Annapolis area, so it’s just great to keep them here.”

The couple realized their dream purchasing the Pharmasave in town a year and a half ago. Previously living in Dartmouth, the two aspired to raise a family in a small community, and Annapolis Royal was the perfect fit.

“When we came down to Annapolis, we kind of fell in love with the little communities and this is where we can raise our family and spend the rest of our lives,” Danny explains. “We can’t say enough good things about the community.

“It’s been a dream of both of ours to work for ourselves… You know, I have 25 employees now. It’s a great feeling to know you’ve helped out, that you’ve been able to give back.”

The idea of opening The Cozy Internet Café and Convenience began to formulate in his mind after realizing that he would have no place in town to take his kids for ice cream this summer.

“That’s what really started this whole thing,” says Danny. “The other thing was the lack of storefronts in Annapolis, [which] seemed to be losing a couple, and everything just fell into place.

“I felt this was something that the town was missing. Just a little spot. Every community has its little coffee shop and little hang-out for the community, and that’s exactly what we want to make it is just a place where people feel warm and welcome to come have a coffee, a quick lunch, and away they go.”

Now outfitted with two computers, web cams, and high-speed Internet access, the café will soon receive wireless access, making it possible for clients to bring their laptops and surf the web while they enjoy their cup of coffee. The Internet aspect is a key component to the business, and will hopefully attract tourists as well, which would allow the McClairs to keep their store open year round.

“I think there was a real niche here for tourists,” says Danny. “With the Internet…they can communicate back to home, and for a lot of people, it’s a main source of communication now.

“We need retailers where they’re getting foot traffic and able to sustain a business here because, really, realistically, business here is six or seven months a year. The other ones, you know, you’re taking a loss to keep your place open. But we’re here, we’re prepared to do that and we’re going to keep it open all year round, and I think that’s what the town needs more of.”