#48. Enid Dufresne-Dario: Sustaining a local cafe (Junifer Cafe and Bistro) through the Covid-19 pandemic

#48. May 18, 2020. Enid Dufresne-Dario is an Edmonton entrepreneur, Co-Owner and CVO of Edmonton-based Juniper Cafe & Bistro, a local neighbourhood cafe located in the Strathearn community. Juniper Cafe and Bistro was born 5 years ago a shared vision of Enid and her husband Kenny Dario. I spoke with Enid about the challenges their local cafe has faced over the past two month Covid-19 pandemic, navigating the challenges of a temporary closure and how they plan to resume their operations with fewer tables and customers served. How can this jewel of a local cafe remain resilient and sustainable?  I believe Juniper is a model of an enterprise or business that espouses the principles of well-being in the business world, committed to building enduring relationships of trust with employee and the providing customers with the highest possible value in both food and a place to gather as neighbours and friends. Juniper was created as an entrepreneurial venture born out of a desire to take your family and friend’s kitchen-get-togethers to a larger space where  more friends could enjoy great food, beverages and lots of laughter. The food Juniper prepares is fresh, seasonal, local and homemade. Enid and Dario choose organic and local products, whenever possible. Breakfast can be as simple as a fresh-baked scone and a coffee to our signature hand-held bennie. Lunch features fresh salads, soups and hand-crafted sandwiches. Juniper plans to reopen Sunday June 14, 2020 for their beloved brunch... while fewer tables can be served, the same beloved food will again be available for friends and neighbours who experience Juniper like home and family.