Local Café Evergreen Coffee Lounge celebrates second anniversary

Interior View of Evergreen Coffee Lounge in downtown Ingersoll. (Kyrah Smith photo)

Kyrah Smith, Echo Correspondent

On Jan. 15, Ingersoll’s beloved Evergreen Coffee Lounge celebrated two years in business. Located in the heart of downtown at 111 Thames Street South, the café serves specialty lattes and baked goods, including vegan and gluten-friendly options, and has quickly become a community favourite.

To commemorate the milestone, I asked owners Shelley Brownlee and Jonathan Clow about the inspiration and journey behind Evergreen.

“We have always loved coffee and the experience of visiting new coffee shops,” explained Brownlee, co-owner of Evergreen. “After a shocking cancer diagnosis in the midst of the pandemic, we decided to take a leap and make the dream a reality,” she added. “You only live once.”

Brownlee, who grew up in Ingersoll, fondly reminisces about raising her children in the town she still calls home. Opening a café anywhere else was never an option. “Ingersoll is home to me; in more ways than one,” she said.

Reflecting on opening day, Brownlee described it as “chaotic, but in the most extraordinary way.” She takes a moment to thank everyone who showed up to support the new business. “We really didn’t know what to expect, but the response from our town was overwhelming.”

That ongoing support, she says, continues to motivate the Evergreen team every day. “It’s what drives us to keep our menu interesting and maintain the high standards we try to achieve. We really appreciate Ingersoll, and it seems the feeling is mutual.”

From the beginning, Brownlee and Clow envisioned Evergreen as an inclusive and welcoming space for everyone who walks through the door. Alongside a menu that caters to a wide range of dietary preferences and restrictions, the café offers a warm and inviting atmosphere designed to encourage guests to slow down and stay awhile.

Evergreen Coffee Lounge also hosts monthly music nights, showcasing local artists and musicians. “It brings our walls to life,” Brownlee shared.

Looking ahead, the owners hope to continue hosting local events and welcoming community groups, such as the Silent Book Club and Ingersoll’s very own Photography Club, to use the café space.

Brownlee and Clow express immense gratitude for the continued support from the community as they move forward. They invite residents to bring a book, some knitting, or a friend, and enjoy a quiet hour or two with a great cup of coffee at Evergreen.