Grand Opening of Edgar and Joe’s Café in London’s Old East Village
Goodwill Industries, Ontario Great Lakes announces the Grand Opening of a new Edgar and Joe’s Café location at Embassy Commons in Old East Village, a new supportive housing complex led by community partner Indwell. A Goodwill initiative, Edgar and Joe’s is a gathering space that makes and serves fresh, local food that is healthy and affordable. It employs, trains, and apprentices people to work in the food and hospitality industry, furthering Goodwill’s mission to provide opportunities to those who may face barriers to employment and change lives through the power of work.
Edgar and Joe’s Café is a new culinary and social destination for everyone who lives and works in Old East Village. Located at 740 Dundas Street East, the café is open Monday to Friday, 8 am to 3 pm, and 9 am to 2 pm on Saturdays and Sundays.
“Edgar and Joe’s is so excited to serve and be a part of the Old East Village community, contributing to revitalizing the neighbourhood and building strong connections with customers and other local businesses. Through this expansion, we have been able to create 11 new jobs for people looking to gain experience in the hospitality industry and learn new skills in a supportive work environment.”
Michelle Quintyn, President & CEO of Goodwill Industries, Ontario Great Lake
The café also supports the community by providing daily meals to tenants at Indwell’s Embassy Commons and their Woodfield Gate program at 356 Dundas Street. The kitchen prepares a healthy, homemade meal for 72 people, giving them a consistent nutritious foundation each day. “We hope to have a positive impact by serving nutritious meals, prepared from scratch, using local quality ingredients. Our chef designs creative menus with variety to keep things interesting and allows Indwell’s tenants to try new dishes,” said Neil Burnett, Director of Food & Hospitality.
The meals are served in the café after hours, when it becomes a gathering space with additional social activities for the Indwell community. Local community groups also use the space to host events and gatherings after hours.
“Edgar and Joe’s Café has become my favourite place to eat in London!” said Jeff Neven, CEO of Indwell. “We know that ‘food affects mood,’ and the daily meal provided by Edgar and Joe’s is an important – and delicious – part of food security and community building at both our London programs. Goodwill Industries shares our commitment to serving those who live in poverty and who live with mental illness and are a valuable partner.”
This marks a new expansion of Edgar and Joe’s Café from its flagship site at Goodwill Industries’ Horton Street location. The name of the café reflects Goodwill’s hallmark mission in its namesakes Dr. Edgar J. Helms – the social innovator and founder of Goodwill who propelled a 120-year-old movement at the forefront of job creation and training – and “Joe,” symbolizing anybody and everybody whose lives have been touched by mental illness. Helms’ vision of an inclusive, caring community that responds to the needs of those living on the margins remains critically important today.
Edgar and Joe’s Café
Location: 740 Dundas Street East, London ON,
Café Hours: Monday to Friday 8 am to 3pm, Saturday & Sunday 9 am to 2 pm.