The waterfront location of Loco Beanz in Little Current welcomes cruise ship visitors along with many national and international travellers each year.
So it’s fitting that there is a map on the wall for visitors to leave their mark.
“People this season have come from New Zealand, Russia, the East Coast and all over the United States," owner Mandy Case said recently.
"One pedal biker saw the sign on Highway 6 and stopped while crossing Canada. Turns out he is from New Brunswick, one hour away from my hometown,” she added.
Case bought the shop, an Island franchise, this year after her job at the credit union ended when the branch closed. She started working at Loco Beanz just before the takeover.
Case was familiar with Loco Beanz, as pretty much everyone on the Island is, and considered herself a frequent flyer, ordering her favourite frappes and paninis.
The coffee shop features hot and iced drinks, along with sandwiches, paninis and all day breakfast.
There is also a wide array of desserts offered, like gluten-free cheesecake, eclairs, cinnamon buns and scones.
Mandy is not operating Loco Beanz alone. Her husband helps, along with her son Nathan, a George Brown College culinary arts graduate.
“Space is needed as we would like Nathan to be able to offer more baking and cooking, but we are limited, kitchen wise,” Case said.
There are two other locations of Loco Beanz on Manitoulin Island, one in Gore Bay and the other in Manitowaning. Case supplies the coffee to the two other locations with the roasted beans coming from British Columbia.
“There are even customers in Elliot Lake and elsewhere who ask us to mail out our beans,” she said.
Mandy said one of the fan favourites is Pedro's Turkey Dinner on a panini. The sandwich contains stuffing, turkey, cranberry salsa, mayonnaise and cheese.
“It’s been on the menu for 10 years, and it is a hot commodity as it is tried, tested and true,” she said.
Case added the veggie paninis are also pretty fantastic.
Another unique feature at Loco Beanz is the suspended coffee board. People have the option to pay it forward in advance by offering a hot drink to those who don’t have the money on them. It can also be done online at the Instagram page.
The board is located on the shop wall across from the cash area.
“It’s a fitting way for tourists and local customers to leave their mark before starting on their passage, coffee cup in hand,” Case said.
Loco Beanz in Little Current is located at 7 Water Street East along the waterfront.
It’s featured on Facebook and Instagram.
Anastasia Rioux is a writer in Greater Sudbury. Let’s Eat! is made possible by our Community Leaders Program.
