Water Shed Arts Cafe

When Walnut Grove resident Jenn Cornish took over her favourite independent coffee shop and relaunched it as The Water Shed Arts Cafe in 2008, she wanted to create a home where every ethnicity, age, gender, faith and social status would feel welcome. “Some of the key values included community, fair traded products, local and organic whole ingredients, and the arts,” says Naomi Lippett. “A place where local artists could showcase their work and musicians could play on weekends.”

A close friend of Jenn’s since before the cafe’s inception, Naomi joined The Water Shed as manager in 2014. “I am an artist, and The Water Shed became a home for me as well,” notes Naomi.

Over the years, The Water Shed has evolved into a real community hub for all ages. “It attracts a very wide demographic: from the three-years-olds who go straight to the toy corner right up to the retirees who come in for their usual cappuccino and muffin, and the pregnant moms who come for lunch with friends and business professionals who drop in for a quick breakfast,” says Naomi. “That’s the idea behind the name The Water Shed: a place where all the streams of life converge together.”