After operating out of a window for almost a year during the pandemic, the Lazy Tulip Cafe is back on the food scene with a new dine-in space.
Focused on conscious eating, the cafe strives to provide customers with locally sourced products and diversity in prepared meals.
“I love to drive out to Springwater and stop by Clarke’s veggie stands on Nursery Road and grab all my squashes, cabbage, cauliflower and tomatoes, then head out to Nicholyn Farms, who brings in my turkey bacon from Hayters Farm,” the cafe owner Michelle Huggins tells BarrieToday.
Customers walking into the Lazy Tulip Cafe will find a variety of products rooted in the region and surroundings, such as free-run eggs from Homestead Farms in Newmarket, Planet Bean coffee roasted in Guelph, Pluck Tea made from Niagara’s organic grape skins Niagara, and locally grown sprouts.
“I believe that my clientele is conscious of what they are eating and where it comes from," she says.
Huggins said the farm-to-table concept is as appealing to her customers as it is to herself.
“I love connecting with the farmers, growers and local entrepreneurs. I much prefer to be eating any kind of fruit or vegetable that hasn’t had to travel from far away," she adds.
The Lazy Tulip Cafe also taps into a growing demand for flavours that cross borders and cultures.
“I love to blend different cuisines like our soup flavours. One day it could be curried sweet potato, or a Cuban-style black bean soup or Thai pumpkin," she says.
Huggins noted it's the culinary diversity that makes dining at Lazy Tulip Cafe unique.
“We try to ensure we have something for everyone no matter what your dietary concerns are. Our goal is that everyone is satisfied with the food and service," she says.
Most importantly for Huggins, everything is scratch cooking, including sandwich breads, soups, quiches, baked goods, and vegan options.
Huggins feels excited to finally come back to offering dining service again, now located at the MacLaren Art Centre on Mulcaster Street in downtown Barrie.
“I missed the personal connection with my customers and giving them a dine-in experience. And they have found me. They’ve been waiting to be able to eat in again," she says.
Since a soft-opening in September, she says the response has been excellent, with both new and previous customers coming to enjoy the place.
“I absolutely found new customers with the local art enthusiasts, those that used to frequent the Radio Café and people that live and work in the area like city hall," Huggins says.
She considers herself lucky to have the café in such a stunning location.
“The space is filled with so much beauty and light and the relationship with the MacLaren has only been a positive experience," Huggins says.
The Lazy Tulip Café, located at 37 Mulcaster St., is open Monday to Saturday from 9 a.m. until 3 p.m., and Sunday from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m.
The café will also continue to operate out of its takeout-only location at 151 Bradford St.
For more information, visit www.lazytulipcafe.com.
