‘A gathering place’: Vertical Cafe reopens to the community

Vertical Cafe, a local family-run business has reopened for business after a 32-day renovation closure.

The cafe opened in 2002 as the Vertical Juice Cafe and was purchased by the O’Toole family in 2019. 

“We had a vision and [an] idea in mind, and so everyday we’re working towards just growing and being better,” Co-owner Tania O’Toole said.

The family decided to start from scratch for this renovation, tearing down the interior to rebuild it from the bottom up. Opening up the back wall was a relief for the staff, allowing them much-needed space to walk by each other and making it easier to deliver food to customers. 

With new cabinetry, seating and decor “everything inside is new now,” said Darby O’Toole, daughter, waitress and artist of the cafe. 

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“We took them back to the studs,” said Sun Peaks Mayor Rob O’Toole, co-owner of the cafe. 

Taking down the drop ceiling transformed Vertical Cafe from a 1980s vibe to a more modern, stainless “21st century hippie [vibe],” Rob said. 

With paintings by local artist Zuzy Rocka, former staff members and Darby herself, “the girls kind of put their spin on it; their charm on it,” Rob said. 

As active members of the community, the O’Tooles value “a safe space that’s safe for all to gather… a space where everybody feels they could come, relax, connect and socialize. A gathering place,” Tania said. 

Community is one of the key ingredients for Vertical Cafe, with residents visiting to sample new items such as their barbeque sauce. 

“The community is such a big part of our journey,” Tania said.

Flower holders line the cafe, planted by Tania and filled with herbs and edible plants used in dishes. Visitors can expect new items coming to the menu including espresso martinis, lemon biscuits and a dirty mojito. 

“Being reopened felt really good,” Darby said. “It’s nice to be back open and have everybody coming in and everybody excited feeling that energy.”