The Barrie Bean Counter has a new look, new tastes and new owners.
Adam Opert and Alana Corkery bought the business five months ago and moved from Toronto to start a new life in a smaller community with their young daughter.
Great coffee was the couple's top priority.
"The coffee was the most important thing really," explains Opert. "We wanted the coffee to be hot and the flavour needed to be right. It wasn't quite there when we took over the restaurant and that was our first goal."
Both Opert, 35, and Corkery, 34, have backgrounds in the hospitality industry with a combined thirty years of experience.
They enjoy the intimacy of their new space and try to learn every customer's name and how they take their coffee.
"I like that instant gratification. That instant smile you get from a customer," he said.
The couple painted the tiny, 450 square feet cafe a bright white and hung new art work to make it feel more open.
"We just saw potential all over the place of all the things we could do," said Corkery. "It's tiny but it's enough. It's cozy and it's got a quaint charming feel to it."
A new menu includes sandwiches, salads and a variety of baked goods, many that Corkery whips up herself.
"We want it to have a real homemade feel," she said. "Fresh, comfort food for people. Something that they can grab - a good cup of coffee - something that warms the soul type of thing. Whether it be a cookie, cake. Whatever."
A customer favourite is Corkery's home made banana cake - a moist treat that's sweet but not too sweet according to Opert and has a smooth, cream cheese frosting.
The bragging really starts when he talks about his wife's original creation: the avalanche cookie.
"It's decadent. You can't find it anywhere else," says Opert. "Rice Krispies, marshmallow, peanut butter and white chocolate mixed together creates this beautiful flavour and texture that's a bit crunchy and smooth."
The new look also includes a new sign outside their "cozy nook" which features the full name of the restaurant and not just initials like before.
Opert loves what he calls the old school history and character of downtown Barrie which both owners have discovered has a tight knit community of businesses that made the newcomers feel welcome.
The coffee shop owners, who moved to the area with their young daughter, say more changes are planned for Barrie Bean Counter but those changes will be implemented slowly.
One thing to watch for is a six feet by six feet menu board built by Corkery that's "like a piece of art" according to Opert.
The couple says owning Barrie Bean Counter is like having a get together and everyone is invited.
"We get to host people all the time," said Corkery. "It's an intimate space. You're doing something little to make their day better. It becomes more personal."
And Opert says a good cup of coffee is an important part of their customers' day.
"It's just a cup of coffee but people come in for that cup of coffee," he said.
The Barrie Bean Counter is located at 49 Dunlop Street East.
