Well-known local baker opens Honey Toast Cafe in downtown Penticton

Photo: Casey Richardson

Find Honey Toast at 66 Front Street

It has been a warm welcome since the opening day of Honey Toast cafe and bakery in downtown Penticton for a local who's made in her name in baked goods on the other end of town.

Owner and operator Kristen "Fergy" Ferguson and her new cafe officially welcomed hungry customers in on Sunday, where she saw an overwhelming response from the community.

"Lots of visitors. Lots of love, lots of flowers, lots of cards and lots of alcohol offerings," she said with a laugh. "Anyone who knows restaurant openings knows you probably need that."

Fergy spent the three years prior at the Skaha Lake Marina running Nautical Dog Café, receiving multiple community awards for their food and work environment, and fundraised for many local charities and community organizations, but was ready to move to a different location and change up things.

"It's not a lot of breakfast, heavy breakfast stuff, like at the other location. There's no benedicts, country breakfasts or things like that here, it's all just super easy grab and go," she said. "It's a completely different brand."

"We're kind of trying to go for that Granville Island Market vibe where you just kind of walk up, order your food, sit and eat or head to the beach."

Fergy took over the location on Front Street which was former home of the Front Street Brasserie.

"This location has always been in the back of my mind," she said, adding that the previous owners Lisa and John Baxter-Burkes had pitched to her to take over as they moved on to their next project.

The house special which the cafe get its name from holds a special place in Fergy's heart.

"When I was a little girl, I would go and visit my grandma and grandpa, sit down and play cards and learn graciously how to lose. My grandparents would always make me fresh bread and butter and honey and they'd fold them in half and I would take my first bite out of that centre piece," she said.

"Food in our family is a language of love. It's also a lesson on impact that one little small act of kindness or little folded over a piece of funny toast has affected my life so positively. 40 years later I've opened a cafe named after it."

Honey Toast features all Fergy's beloved scones, treats and cakes, as well as crepes made to order.

Visit the cafe from Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. and on the weekends from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

For more information, visit their website here.