Innovation

Atmosphere cafe, one of Wellington County’s hidden treasures, has innovated a way to use local resources to benefit the local economy. They strive to use local resources in everything they do. This includes, partnerships, food sources, art, and events in an effort to make the community apart of their vision.

Their finely crafted European styled menu is made from all organic, fair-trade ingredients. While speaking to Shawn, the general manager and head cook at Atmosphere cafe for the last 15 years, he told us about the restaurant’s part in a certification program called Feaston. The program recognizes companies in Ontario who participate in the production of local foods. Shawn went on to tell us how important it is to atmosphere to support local farmers, and that they have always had a business plan that would focus on sustainable practices. The restaurant is also partners with Oceanwise, a program that supports restaurants that use sustainably caught seafood. Atmosphere’s sustainable resource use continues with their compostable to-go containers and their almost elimination of plastics in their restaurant. “We use metal straws and try to reduce our use of plastics as much as possible,” Shawn Gilbert. The goal of the company is to reduce over-consumption and still enjoy wonderful food and company.

Atmosphere also supports local companies and individuals. They feature local art and music every month. “Everything we do is city based from our art to the music to the food. As local as possible”, Shawn told us. Their diligence in partaking in organic processes including the uses of sustainable resources shows a bright future for the restaurant and the modern Downtown Guelph community.

Inspiration

Atmosphere’s participation in the Guelph community with their local and sustainable partnerships was implemented into the plan of the company since the beginning. Nicole Hogg, owner and founder, had a vision for Atmosphere to make a positive impact on the local community without sacrificing the environment. Nicole was unable to meet with us, but Shawn spoke on her behalf. The motivation for the business being sustainable and locally sourced was inspired by a desire to be a part of the community and to give back to them as much as they give to the business. In the interview with Atmosphere chef and manager Shawn said, “it’s very important to us to be a part of the community, it’s very important to us to donate to so many local charities”, he said “we make a conscious effort”. This inspiration to be a business that does good for the benefit of the community has such a big impact on the feel of the community and its relationships with its local businesses.

Overall impact

Businesses like Atmosphere that foster a sense of responsibility for the community they do business in have more of an impact then they know. This sense in pride of taking care of the needs of the people and the environment that we work with has a trickle-down effect into the everyday lives of people. Atmosphere is one of the only small businesses in Guelph with a defibrillator on hand to aid the community around it. When asked about this in a 2012 interview Shawn brushed it off saying “on a logical level, we are at a central location”. However, with this investment atmosphere staff have already saved one life in the community.

The trend of being sustainably sourced, local and organic has risen in the last five years, but Shawn says that was always Atmosphere’s business plan and they have always operated like this. What we consider an innovative idea to be more involved in the community and be more socially and environmentally responsible to Shawn is just what they’ve always thought is right. He said when asked about the inspiration “I was under the school of thought that most people should be doing these things”. We can see the impact this has made with just one business fifteen years ago that decided the community is important, we now see a trend of community driven business in the area with the same goals in mind.

Shawn then told us about how when faced with new innovations from other businesses they are quick to join in if it aligns with their goals. One example of this was the push to move from plastic to metal straws/no straws. Atmosphere may not have been the first to get rid of plastic straws or lower their plastic consumption but when given the idea they ran with it. Shawn said “[we] participated in an environmental waste audit just for fun!”. This also has a big impact on a community when good people do good things and the community joins them and helps push their idea forward. Every business has an impact on the end result of a healthier environment and a more aware community.

Business benefit

Atmosphere cafe also benefits from making socially responsible choices as it earns them free publicity from local news, it helps attract a customer base solely looking for socially responsible food and their local art they bring in to help local artists really gives the cafe an aesthetically pleasing vibe. This allows for a positive and healthy environment that they foster. The use of organic and local foods allows for positive word-of-mouth to spread the name of Atmosphere through people who have a great experience. The business has been prospering for fifteen years with the strategy to be positively involved in the community, it’s hard to deny that it has not benefited them when you see the successful business they are today.

Social and environmental benefit

By using sustainable ingredients and meat choices, Atmosphere is helping create a positive and healthy environment for animals of all kinds. Their seafood is caught from sustainable sources meaning that they only fish out of populations large enough to replenish their missing population. Another huge environmental benefit is the use of metal straws. Traditional plastic straws can sit in landfills for hundreds of years, never decomposing. At Atmosphere, the use of metal straws cuts back on that waste and allows the utensil to be recycled and reused by another individual . They were a leader with getting rid of plastic straws which people recognize and follow. It allows for the wider community of coffee consumers to become aware about the issue and move other cafes in the right direction.

Interview

Shawn Gilbert, Restaurant Manager