Eclectic Café has grown up alongside the CDC Youth Pathways to Employment program — from a scrappy 20-seat café to a full 45-seat space with catering and retail humming in the background.
A large majority of our young team members have come through this program, and honestly, it’s been a game changer (and occasionally a “teach someone how to hold a knife properly” moment — we’ve all been there).
Entrepreneurship isn’t always pretty — it’s long days, tight margins, and a lot of figuring it out as you go. There are moments where one extra bit of support can truly be the difference between pushing forward or feeling stuck. Having access to this kind of program has been that helping hand for us — financially and operationally — allowing us to grow our team in a sustainable way while still maintaining the heart of what we do.
The program has helped us continue to evolve not just as a business, but as an employer — giving us the ability to invest time, mentorship, and real opportunities into young people stepping into the workforce for the first time. Watching that confidence build? That’s the good stuff.
It’s been integral to our success here in Orillia, and a huge part of how we’ve built a team that reflects our values: creativity, collaboration, and showing up for each other.
We’re incredibly grateful to be part of something that supports both small businesses and the next generation — it’s a win-win (with really good food along the way).
— Melanie, Eclectic Café