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<\/p>\nAnn Marie\u2019s Caf\u00e9: an Abbotsford staple that is a home away from home for so many local customers. The name may have you thinking of coffee cups and croissants, however, this joint is not your typical caf\u00e9 but a full-fledged restaurant serving breakfast, lunch, and dinner. With comfort meals morning through night, you can enjoy everything from french toast and eggs benny to burgers and ice cream. All in the cozy yet classic retro style diner. Recently voted as the \u201cBest Lunch in Abbotsford,\u201d we reached out to Angie, the owner of Ann Marie\u2019s Caf\u00e9 to learn more about this local fan favourite. Thrilled to have the opportunity to chat with her, we not only learned about her thriving business, but about what it means to be a part of the historic downtown Abbotsford.<\/p>\n
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Born and raised in Abbotsford, Angie has worked in the food industry for most of her professional life. \u201cIt\u2019s something I\u2019ve wanted to do since I was young,\u201d she remarked as she regaled the days before Ann Marie\u2019s Caf\u00e9 came to fruition. A single mom of two at the time, she had been managing a restaurant and loving every part of it. But when her friend came to her with the idea to open an establishment of her very own in the early 2000\u2019s, she \u201cjumped in right away.\u201d<\/p>\n
Without missing a beat, Angie immediately started scouting local buildings. She knew it had to be in the historic downtown Abbotsford \u2013 an idea that was strongly discouraged by her friends and family at the time. \u201cEveryone told me not to go to Downtown Abbotsford,\u201d said Angie. They were all certain \u201cit would never work;\u201d however, when she came across the perfect spot for her new business, Angie knew there was no turning back. Fast forward seventeen years and the area is bursting with successful small businesses, including Angie\u2019s beloved restaurant.<\/p>\n
With black and white checkered floors, comfy red booths, and pictures dotting every wall, Ann Marie\u2019s Caf\u00e9 has a unique ambiance that helps it stand out from the crowd. Unlike your typical restaurant nowadays, Angie\u2019s diner is a place that takes its time. While still holding that beloved fast-paced aesthetic akin to the old-time diners you\u2019ve seen in movies, locals visit Ann Marie\u2019s Caf\u00e9 to relax, mingle, and of course, enjoy delicious foods at fair prices.<\/p>\n
At Ann Marie\u2019s, everyone is treated like family. This wholesome experience has their customers come back time and again, leading to a large customer base of regulars. \u201cGetting to know our customers\u2026they end up being like family to us,\u201d said Angie. With familiar faces turning up daily, this restaurant is not just a successful local business, but a testament to the community as a whole. The welcoming vibe of this retro downtown diner is something many local businesses share.<\/p>\n
\u201cMost places downtown are like that,\u201d said Angie. \u201cEverybody is pretty welcoming\u201d which is evident in the fast expansion that has taken place over the years. In terms of local business in Abbotsford, \u201cthere wasn\u2019t very much\u201d when Angie first opened her own. However, throughout the seventeen years of Ann Marie\u2019s Caf\u00e9 lifetime, more and more businesses have come to the area, with many of the old buildings being \u201cbought and redone.\u201d Not only has this helped the community grow as a whole, but the historic downtown has transformed from an area people avoid, to one they seek out.<\/p>\n
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An establishment that is integral to the community of Abbotsford, Angie noted just how impactful the community has been for the success of Anne Marie\u2019s Caf\u00e9.\u201d In particular, she commented on the inclusivity of the community: \u201cIt\u2019s not competitive.\u201d Rather, the local business owners rally together to make this area \u201cgood for everyone\u201d and \u201ctell [their] customers about other businesses in town.\u201d Tight knit and supportive, the area consists of \u201cpeople who have known each other a long time.\u201d A community destined for bigger and better, Angie noted how the \u201c[Abbotsford Downtown Business Association] does a lot of work to help everyone succeed.\u201d And as a result, a true kinship runs through the streets of Downtown Abbotsford.<\/p>\n
This sense of support, belonging, and metamorphosis is exactly what we hope to build upon in our master-planned community, the Rail District. Thoughtfully designed with community in mind, we want to create a connected living experience that pushes the limits of innovation and tradition. The up-and-coming Rail District will blend the charm of laid-back valley living with the excitement of urban culture. Like the beloved Ann Marie\u2019s Caf\u00e9, the Rail District will be welcoming, warm, and a place to call home. Currently in development, we cannot wait to join the historic downtown Abbotsford family and unveil Infinity Properties\u2019 newest community, the Rail District.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"