Combining a love of coffee and all things antiques, Hemlock Mountain Coffee Co., is a coffee shop with a big personality. The little gem, located in the heart of Agassiz, inspires imagination while warming the customer with an intriguing, cozy, and friendly atmosphere.
Store manager Sarah Dueck sat down with The Observer to discuss the conception of the unique shop, a shop that transports guests to another time period, while allowing them to enjoy a dreamy London Fog, or a good old fashioned cappuccino.
Hemlock showcases a myriad of enticing goods.
China dolls, quilts, specialty candles, industrial lamps, and rocking chairs can be found in the carefully organized space that draws the viewer in to engage in an experience that is out of this world.
The coffee shop has been going strong a year after their grand opening in June of last year when they took over from the previous owners.
Fresh baking and antiques were added to make Hemlock what it is now, a coffee shop, with a dream like and retro ambience with plenty of scrumptious treats to delight every palate.
“With the switch we brought antiques and gifts and we started doing the baking and homemade soups,” said Dueck.
The antiques come from all over according to Dueck, some are from the Fraser Valley, a lot of them come from Saskatchewan, and local people bring stuff as well.
“The quilts are made here in town,” she said of the gorgeous and colourful antique style quilts that adorn the space.
Feedback from customers is positive, and a lot of them will remember a certain tool or item they used growing up, or a specific table that their mom or grandma had.
“We really wanted to create that back home feeling and we really wanted it cozy so that it felt comfortable and relaxed in here,” she said.
Dueck, acknowledges that she loves the experience of working in the store, engaging with customers and being surrounded by beautiful things that have a back story.
“I like interacting with the people and seeing who comes through the door because everyone has a different story to tell,” said Dueck. “Getting to know them personally, that’s kind of my goal for this place — and to make them feel welcome.”
Some of the top selling items are dishware and candles. One of the items that people are attracted to is an antique oven in the center of the store.
“People tend to gravitate toward it and they start telling stories — it’s really interesting to hear what they say. For older people it’s almost the first item they notice and it just brings back memories of them cooking on it.”
Dueck also had a hand in the original layout and design of the antiques, a task that she took great pride in, one that is ever changing, as the challenge of keeping Hemlock fresh and exciting presents itself as items enter and exit the store.
“Wherever you look, there’s always something new to see, I’m a homebody and this store really replicates that feeling, it’s like being transported back in time. We wanted to create a comfortable feeling around what it used to be like for people,” said Dueck.