Sandwiches, soups and smiles are what helped Guy’s Café & Bakery win Business of the Year award for the Cochrane Community Awards.
“The award is just a testament to my staff – it was very neat to win and nice to be recognized,” said Guy Joudrie café owner.
After 15 years in the community, the café was nominated once before for the Business of the Year award but this is the first year the glass statue will be proudly displayed at Guy’s Café & Bakery.
“I have gotten some positive feedback and a lot of sarcastic comments to not let the award go to my head,” Joudrie said with a laugh.
For those who have never been to the little café tucked away off of Grande Boulevard they might be in for a surprise when the staff greets guests with a chorus of “hellos” and “goodbyes” as they leave – Joudrie said it is part of the charm.
“(The award) is the staff – they live in the community, most of them grew up in the community, they know the customers’ favourites and they actually talk to the customers, it doesn’t matter who you are or what social or financial demographic you are from, all everyone wants is to be welcomed and get value for their purchase,” Joudrie said.
With a mixed-personality team, the staff serves approximately 80 per cent of “regular” customers who visit the café two to three times a week, Joudrie explained.
“We don’t offer anything extra special, we are just soups and sandwiches but it is the service that we offer,” Joudrie said.
The café owner shared a story about one barista who worked in the café for eight years before moving on, and while she has not worked at Guy’s for the past five years, Joudrie said he still has customers who come in and ask about her.
“The staff is good at making relationships with customers that I don’t. It is all about the ebb and flow,” Joudrie said.
“It can be a challenge to stick to your principles but we have a good core group of staff.”
Joudrie was selected for the award after Cochrane residents submitted nominations to a selection committee and a winner chosen.
His business was nominated because of his exceptional customer service, the quality of his food, and his commitment to the community with donations and raising funds for cancer research – and the café will now hold the 2016 title of Business of the Year
The café opened in 2001, starting as a tiny shop with only a couple tables for guests. Later it was renovated to include the adjacent store space, adding several more tables and seating options. To grab a soup or smile, visit Guy’s Café & Bakery at 201 Grande Blvd.
