The Creative BRU-tique celebrates one year in Simcoe

Stephen and Stephanie Khalla in the cafe of The Creative BRU-tique. 

Leah Bauer

Advocate Correspondent

The Creative BRU-tique is truly a special and unique addition to Downtown Simcoe.

Upon entering the storefront at 31 Norfolk Street North, you are immediately struck by two things: number one being the eye-catching designs which line the walls in various mediums, and number two being ‘WOW it smells good in here.’

The Creative BRU-tique is far from being just a cafe. In fact, Stephen and Stephanie Khalla are quick to point out the cafe really isn’t the main function of their business, the cafe is meant to be a catalyst to customers discovering the many other services they offer. As The Creative BRU-tique celebrated its one-year anniversary, Stephen and Stephanie reflected on their business, its origins, where it has taken them, and where they hope to go.

Stephen Khalla describes himself as a “serial entrepreneur,” a statement that is backed up by a long and impressive resume. A resume that includes working at Microsoft’s head office when he was 18, helping to build the architecture for the 2015 Pan Am Games, working in the film industry, and now to Norfolk County where he has founded his newest adventure - The Creative BRU-tique.

Stephen and Stephanie offer many services to help small businesses, or even just people with business ideas to “not just survive, but thrive.” The couple does this through various workshops, aiding hopeful entrepreneurs in deciphering who to turn to for legal or accounting help, branding, and the creation of promotional products.

Their support for local entrepreneurship has no age limit. Earlier in September, they partnered with Art With Heart to run a series of workshops for young entrepreneurs which helped local kids with big ideas develop business skills, branding, and confidence in entrepreneurship. The couple works hard to ensure they support the local community any way they can, which is why they remain committed to reinvigorating and uplifting the Downtown Simcoe area. 

‘Creative’ isn’t just one half of their catchy business name, it is one of the core tenets of what they do. The Inspired Turtle is a branch of their business that focuses on branding, promotional products, and all things printed. Stephen and Stephanie have you covered, whether it is a custom design for a fun personalized gift, promotional items for a business, custom wallpaper, or anything in between.

From the outside it may look like your average cafe, but that is not the case here as the back of the building is an entire printing studio with high quality professional printers. Stephen and Stephanie are able to take your design from a simple idea or concept and turn it into pretty much any branded product you might need.

The Inspired Turtle is perfect for people who want to improve brand recognition for their business, need promotional items for an event, or are just simply looking for a last-minute gift. 

While the cafe may not be their main focus, they still manage to create some of the most amazing coffee and treats right here in Norfolk County. Stephen and Stephanie do not mess around when it comes to high quality ingredients.

Their devotion to high quality ingredients offered at an affordable price is what drove them to create Deja-Bru, a coffee company that is sourced from 100% Arabica beans, and brewed using remarkable machines imported from Bergamo, Italy.

In Stephen’s opinion, high quality coffee doesn’t need to break the bank, you can buy Deja-Bru coffee beans wholesale, or head into the Creative BRU-tique to enjoy it for just $2.

When Stephen and Stephanie opened their doors in November 2024, they were skeptical about adding food items to the menu. Stephen recalls saying, "If I am going to do a food item, it has to be innovative. It has to be different. It has to be something that stands out, not just copying someone else.”

Next thing you know Stephen was developing recipes for stuffed Croffles, an innovation that is interesting, delicious, and completely unique. The Croffle consists of imported croissant dough from Paris, France, which is then stuffed with fillings and subsequently pressed in a waffle iron. The fillings for the Croffle range from pistachio or biscoff knafeh, imported from Jordan, cream feta and spinach, imported from Macedonia, hazelnut Bueno, and a variety of other flavours that sometimes rotate depending on the season.

The Creative-BRU-tique also imports Chai from India, and organic Matcha from Japan. With French croissant dough, Jordanian fillings, Macedonian feta, and Japanese or Indian teas, you can take your tastebuds on a world tour without breaking the bank, or even leaving Downtown Simcoe!

The Creative BRU-tique is open seven days a week, from 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, and then 9 a.m. – 2 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday.

Head into The Creative BRU-tique at 31 Norfolk Street North, in Downtown Simcoe to see and experience their business for yourself! However, I should warn you that the coffee and Croffles are addicting!