The increase in visitors to Haida Gwaii has made the 2016 summer season a success for several on-island businesses.
One Queen Charlotte business credits their success on the locals and not the tourists. Junebug, which opened the first week of July, has had an uncertain future but the operator Kim Claggett knows that there is a demand for gelato in Queen Charlotte.
“It has been mostly local customers who keep coming back. Little kids think I am the best,” she joked.
When asked about her favourite flavour of gelato Claggett said there were no bad flavours and recommended the best selling white chocolate raspberry. If you are not convinced on a flavour Claggett will offer samples.
”People have branched out with flavours,” she said.
The gelato and specialty coffees aren’t the only draw for locals to come to Junebug. Edi Szasz has parked his food truck outside of the shop.
“Edi brings his own crowd,” Claggett said.
The convenience of Edi’s food truck, parked outside of the shop, has brought out even the gelato haters, who can’t say no to Edi’s tacos.
“We must have had over a hundred people the other day. It was crazy,” said Edi Szasz who runs Edi’s food truck and the Kay Bistro. Szasz will continue to bring his food truck to community events but is enjoying his new parking spot outside of Junebug for the time being.
“This is a good spot,” he told the Observer.
Cleggett has not confirmed that the shop will stay open throughout the winter, but says that the opportunities for the space are endless.
“It’s a happy space,” Claggett said.
She would eventually like to see the space used for hosting live music acts and other community activities.