Creemore Coffee Company supports school playground fundraiser
This month, every cup of coffee sold at the Creemore Coffee Company Roastery Café in New Lowell comes with a special bonus – a one of a kind java jacket decorated by a student at New Lowell Central Public School.
Proprietor Louise Priest says she was recently approached by the parents of a New Lowell student for help in fundraising.
“There is a proposal to redo the playground at the school which will cost between $70,000 and $80,000,” said Priest. “I was asked to donate $1 per bag of coffee sold but I thought I could do better so for the month of December I’m donating $5 per bag to the playground fund. So far, we’re at 50 bags or $250. I went around to the other businesses in the area to ask for their support and it looks like some other businesses will participate. Clearview Auto has pledged up to $500 in matching funds and Precision Contracting will match whatever is raised at Creemore Coffee Company.
Priest and her then-husband purchased the company five years ago, and moved the roastery and wholesale business to New Lowell. During the pandemic, many people walking past remarked about how good it smelled, and how they would like to get a coffee.
“It was hard to say no,” said Priest, adding that the idea of the café was born. “We’re located in the old community centre, next to Canada Post, so it seemed like a natural gathering spot. I’m very mindful of the businesses in Creemore and Stayner and we don’t want to step on any toes. We’re working on becoming a destination in New Lowell.”
Priest is supporting local cycling and snowmobile clubs, and has done other fundraisers for groups like the Georgian Triangle Humane Society.
The café opened in May and currently employs four people. While Priest expects things to quiet down a bit in January, she’s looking forward to gearing up in the spring.
“If this fundraiser for the playground equipment goes well,” she said, “we’ll do it again in the spring, and maybe it will become an annual thing.”
As a thank you for her support, students in JK to Grade 8 decorated about 150 java jackets, the paper sleeves that fit over take out coffee cups. Priest says the quality of the artwork varies with the age of the artists, but all are generating smiles from customers. Many of the sleeves bear inspirational messages. “We’re happy to be generating some conversation and doing awesome things to stay top of mind,” she said.
