Lanes Café In Harrowsmith

Philip Lane, with his wife Christie, and some help from his parents (Calving and Patsy of Lane’s Veterinary Service in Yarker) has started up a new breakfast café, within the Pizza Place/Rooster Shack location in Harrowsmith.

The new experiment introduces a take-out coffee and breakfast sandwich service, to the Road 38 commute, for the first time.

“I was, and still am, working for the Pizza Place, and since the owner does not want to open any more than he is already open, I asked if I could open up in the mornings for breakfast and coffee, as long as I am finished by the time he opens at 11am for lunch. He said ok, so we opened up three weeks ago and it’s been go, go, go ever since.”

Most of the equipment needed for the sit down or takeout breakfast menu was already in place, except for an Espresso machine that was brought in.

While Philip is the breakfast cook, his wife Christie handles the Espresso drinks, and her iced latte is already a local legend.

“We have started with a simple menu, which we are adding on to, over time,” said Philip.

The mainstays are a classic breakfast sandwich on an English muffin and a breakfast wrap that has quickly become a customer favourite. And for those who choose to eat in, the full breakfasts start at $8.99 for 2 eggs, toast, sausage and bacon. Brewed coffee is $1.99 for a small, $2.99 for a large.

“We are hoping that some of the commuters driving to Kingston each morning decide to give us a try, and then it is our job to make stopping here a habit,” Philip, “and that means good quality and good service.”

Philip has big plans for Lane’s café, including new menu items and perhaps a second location, but making sure everything is done right is his first priority.

So far so good, he said.

Lanes Café is open from 6am-11am, Monday to Friday, 7am-11am on Saturday morning, and 7am -1pm on Sundays.

The Pizza Place/Rooster Shack opens at 11am on weekdays, and 4pm on weekends. ■