INNISFAIL – When Joe and Jody Desjardins arrived in town 15 years ago they had a dream to establish a business.
Six years later they opened The Coffee Cottage on 49 Avenue. But they soon learned their new venture was more than just serving a great cup of java.
They created a wonderful atmosphere where serving people of Innisfail and residents throughout Central Alberta, as well as tourists, come first to ensure each and everyone enjoys a friendly and hospitable atmosphere – almost like a feel-good episode of Cheers where everybody knows each other's name.
This good-time atmosphere that has lasted non-stop for the past nine years has earned them this year's Customer Service of the Year Award, sponsored by the Innisfail and District Chamber of Commerce and handed out at the annual Community & Business Awards Gala on Oct. 13.
“It's our customers coming in. It is not us. We should be thanking them,” said Joe, who could not attend the awards night at the Innisfail legion, as he and Jody were busy catering. “We are pretty proud and now we even have our kids helping out too.
“I never thought we would be able to take it this far,” he added. “I guess it is the love for the business that keeps us coming in back to work.” And while The Coffee Cottage began with the idea of being just a java house it soon morphed into a bistro, an eatery with the finest homemade cinnamon buns, sandwiches, carrot cake, bread, and soup.
“We needed to change, and just listening to the customers was a big help too. So it is more of a bistro now,” said Joe, somewhat in awe of how his business has evolved into a must-visit institution.
“I knew from the beginning 15 years ago when we came out here I said, ‘Jody, this will be an excellent place to set up a business'. But who knew that this was going to happen?”
