The Thorny Rose Café in Rosebud

Manny Everett

Times Contributor

 

In the midst of all the openings in Rosebud this year of such establishments as Wildhorse Jack’s and the new and improved Rosebud Dinner Theatre, comes The Thorny Rose Café.

A quaint establishment that is nestled between the Opera House and the Akokiniskway Gallery is where you will find the Thorny Rose Café, which opened its doors the end of May this year. Since opening, sisters Ginger Hutchinson (of Bragg Creek) and Joyce Stokley (from California) are having their dreams come true.

Hutchinson has had her eye on the property for a long time. She recognized its potential and has been dreaming “big dreams” said Hutchinson, for the last six years. When she approached her sister about it, Stokley too became excited about the prospect of starting up a Bistro in the small hamlet. Stokley enrolled in classes and immediately began getting a degree in business down in California and now lives on the premises.

Originally the dream began as wanting to start a coffee shop in the community but they quickly realized that there was a need to increase its menu selections to include a bistro fare of light lunches and small hot entrees and remain open longer than the other establishments in the area. All homemade cooking has been a great attraction to the locals and those seeking a little something more after the Dinner Theatre’s productions.

After the Rosebud shows the café is open until midnight and generally are open to the public everyday from 11 a.m. until 7 p.m.

Hutchinson says that she enjoys the area very much and is excited about “the mix of people she is able to come across, from farmers, locals, long timers, those who come to the Dinner Theatre and of course the students and teachers who come and go with the school year.” 

All of them add a certain flavor to the town and their various establishments.

Hutchinson and Stokley are excited about their special afternoons and evenings when they host a variety of artists at their establishment. These events are by reservation only. The next event will be held Sunday, Sept. 11 at 2:30 p.m. when they host the 100 Mile House, where local artists Paul Muir and Cassia Schramm from Rosebud will be the opening act  for the group. The Café holds these events once or sometimes twice a month and are usually packed.