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| French-speaking customers enjoy music and socialize at Francophone Friday. Live music hasn’t always been offered, but as the event grows, more is being done to get weekly musicians. Daniel Brown photo. |
By Daniel Brown
Jan. 13, 2017
Campbell Webster wanted to
create a hangout for the French-speaking community.
His coffee shop business is
about social gathering, so the owner of Timothy’s Café started an event called
Francophone Friday in November. It takes place weekly from 11:45 a.m. to 2 p.m.
About 200 customers were
expected for the Francophone Friday on Jan. 13, including students from École François-Buote.
Webster was partially raised
in Guatemala and he’s used to Canadians starting a Canada Club when in other
countries.
While the French-themed music
and food is a highlight, Webster knows the focus is on community.
“Really the entertainment
will be each other.”
The food is still important,
however, so Webster called in a local business to help with catering.
Tyler Gallant started
Gallant’s Shellfish & Seafood less than a year ago. He has a booth at the
Charlottetown Farmers Market, and a seasonal oyster bar on the waterfront.
Webster is a loyal patron of
Gallant’s business. He loves Gallant’s menu, especially the oysters.
“He always orders a dozen
before we even open,” Gallant said.
Webster wanted to find a way
to work with Gallant and offer his menu at Timothy’s. Once winter came and the
seasonal work decreased, Gallant started setting up at the cafe every Friday.
That evolved into Francophone
Friday, and has been great for Gallant’s business. Many Timothy’s regulars who
weren’t aware of the event are able to discover his local product, and the
French community think it’s a hit, Gallant said.
“This one has totally
evolved… I just kind of tagged along for the ride.”
Jan. 13 was the first time Timothy’s has had table reservations,
Webster said.
The success
has opened doors to other possibilities, with Webster considering events like
Montreal Monday or Spanish Saturday.
These events
will continue as long as the community wants it, he said.
“It is a bilingual country.”
As for the
future, there is no clear end for Francophone Friday, Webster said.
“[Francophone
Friday] ends when all French people on Earth die.
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