Ann Marie’s Café: an Abbotsford staple that is a home away from home for so many local customers. The name may have you thinking of coffee cups and croissants, however, this joint is not your typical café but a full-fledged restaurant serving breakfast, lunch, and dinner. With comfort meals morning through night, you can enjoy everything from french toast and eggs benny to burgers and ice cream. All in the cozy yet classic retro style diner. Recently voted as the “Best Lunch in Abbotsford,” we reached out to Angie, the owner of Ann Marie’s Café to learn more about this local fan favourite. Thrilled to have the opportunity to chat with her, we not only learned about her thriving business, but about what it means to be a part of the historic downtown Abbotsford.
How Ann Marie’s Café Came to Be
Born and raised in Abbotsford, Angie has worked in the food industry for most of her professional life. “It’s something I’ve wanted to do since I was young,” she remarked as she regaled the days before Ann Marie’s Café came to fruition. A single mom of two at the time, she had been managing a restaurant and loving every part of it. But when her friend came to her with the idea to open an establishment of her very own in the early 2000’s, she “jumped in right away.”
Without missing a beat, Angie immediately started scouting local buildings. She knew it had to be in the historic downtown Abbotsford – an idea that was strongly discouraged by her friends and family at the time. “Everyone told me not to go to Downtown Abbotsford,” said Angie. They were all certain “it would never work;” however, when she came across the perfect spot for her new business, Angie knew there was no turning back. Fast forward seventeen years and the area is bursting with successful small businesses, including Angie’s beloved restaurant.
The Community of Ann Marie’s Café
With black and white checkered floors, comfy red booths, and pictures dotting every wall, Ann Marie’s Café has a unique ambiance that helps it stand out from the crowd. Unlike your typical restaurant nowadays, Angie’s diner is a place that takes its time. While still holding that beloved fast-paced aesthetic akin to the old-time diners you’ve seen in movies, locals visit Ann Marie’s Café to relax, mingle, and of course, enjoy delicious foods at fair prices.
At Ann Marie’s, everyone is treated like family. This wholesome experience has their customers come back time and again, leading to a large customer base of regulars. “Getting to know our customers…they end up being like family to us,” said Angie. With familiar faces turning up daily, this restaurant is not just a successful local business, but a testament to the community as a whole. The welcoming vibe of this retro downtown diner is something many local businesses share.
“Most places downtown are like that,” said Angie. “Everybody is pretty welcoming” which is evident in the fast expansion that has taken place over the years. In terms of local business in Abbotsford, “there wasn’t very much” when Angie first opened her own. However, throughout the seventeen years of Ann Marie’s Café lifetime, more and more businesses have come to the area, with many of the old buildings being “bought and redone.” Not only has this helped the community grow as a whole, but the historic downtown has transformed from an area people avoid, to one they seek out.
The Close-Knit Community of Abbotsford
An establishment that is integral to the community of Abbotsford, Angie noted just how impactful the community has been for the success of Anne Marie’s Café.” In particular, she commented on the inclusivity of the community: “It’s not competitive.” Rather, the local business owners rally together to make this area “good for everyone” and “tell [their] customers about other businesses in town.” Tight knit and supportive, the area consists of “people who have known each other a long time.” A community destined for bigger and better, Angie noted how the “[Abbotsford Downtown Business Association] does a lot of work to help everyone succeed.” And as a result, a true kinship runs through the streets of Downtown Abbotsford.
This sense of support, belonging, and metamorphosis is exactly what we hope to build upon in our master-planned community, the Rail District. Thoughtfully designed with community in mind, we want to create a connected living experience that pushes the limits of innovation and tradition. The up-and-coming Rail District will blend the charm of laid-back valley living with the excitement of urban culture. Like the beloved Ann Marie’s Café, the Rail District will be welcoming, warm, and a place to call home. Currently in development, we cannot wait to join the historic downtown Abbotsford family and unveil Infinity Properties’ newest community, the Rail District.
