Good Earth, great java

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 05/10/2017 (2914 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Tuxedo native Graham Balacko said he always wanted to own his own business. He also loves coffee, so when the opportunity came to open his own shop he jumped at the chance.

Balacko is the owner of the Good Earth Coffeehouse at 455 Sterling Lyon Parkway. Open since mid-September, things are going well so far.

“I had a lot of people saying we need a shop like this in Tuxedo,” Balacko said. “I wouldn’t have opened it anywhere else.”

Balacko’s is the first Good Earth Coffeehouse in Winnipeg (and 48th for the company) but more could be on the way, cofounder Nan Eskenazi said. She shared her company’s founding principles.

“Good Earth Coffeehouse provides a nice, social environment that’s a bit of a haven from all of the activity.”

Eskenazi, who hails from the coffee mecca of the Pacific Northwest, said the Good Earth Coffeehouse is designed to provide a place for people to come together at any time of the day. Their “foodistas” prepare high-quality food fresh each day in an open kitchen. The Good Earth Coffeehouse menu features baked goods soups, salads, panini and flatbreads. Comfort food selections include chicken pot pie with herbed pastry, boeuf bourguignon served on roasted potatoes, and macaroni and cheese.

“That’s bringing together two really high quality aspects in one environment,” Eskenazi said.

Balacko agreed, and said his customers have raved about the food. He said both food and beverage preparation staff receive specialized training.

Eskenazi said she and co-founder Michael Going opened the first Good Earth Coffeehouse in 1991. While the company has evolved with the times, a constant has been its commitment to social and environmental responsibility. They participate in Direct Trade, which refers to the practice of coffee buyers forging direct relationships with the farmers they buy from. That allows them to work with farmers employing socially and environmentally sustainable practices, ones who contribute to their communities through helping to provide health care, preschools, and daycares.

Look for the Good Earth Coffeehouse at events in the community Balacko said, as he expects to be busy meeting his neighbours at festivals and charitable events. He also looks forward to meeting them at some of the special events at the Good Earth Coffeehouse. While they are still being planned, they will include live entertainment. A patio is in the works for next spring too.

Once you try the Good Earth Coffeehouse you’ll be hooked, Balacko said.

“You wont be disappointed. The food is good, the people friendly. This is a place to escape life and come enjoy a good cup of coffee.”

For more information visit the goodearthcoffeehouse.com, phone 204-560-1227 or visit the Facebook page. Hours of operation are 6:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. Mon.-Sat. and 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Sundays.