A new restaurant is coming to Hope with a range of healthy options for those looking for something a little different while also supporting local businesses.
Situated on 591 Wallace St., right across from the Kingpin Lounge, Tree Hugger-Wellness Bar is the latest restaurant to enter Hope’s downtown scene. The health restaurant, which just opened, offers smoothies, juices, smoothie bowls, soups, and sandwiches — all fresh and made by hand. It’s owned by couple Dahlia Butty and Dominic Adamiec, recent residents of Sunshine Valley.
“We got lucky with this little spot,” says Butty, who moved to the valley last year. “Both of us were leaning towards a little smoothie shop or juice bar. But I mean, considering the winter, we also wanted to do some warm and cozy foods too. So, we’re doing soups and paninis also.”
Originally from Hamilton, Ontario, Butty and Adamiec first learned about Hope while visiting family in Vancouver. After “falling in love” with the town and being amazed at how “the air is different” here, the couple agreed that moving to Hope would be in their best interest. As they are both passionate about health and good food, the two decided to open a health restaurant.
Butty says she eventually hopes to have more vegan options, especially with some of their dessert items, as she’d like her food to be “enjoyed by everyone.”
This is the couple’s first business. While the process has been daunting, Butty says the support and positive feedback they’ve received in town has been reassuring.
“We’re kind of just diving in headfirst,” says Butty. “Hopefully, everything all goes well. We’ve been getting so much positive feedback. Everyone’s so sweet in this town. Just people walking by and people that live in the area and other small businesses — everyone’s so awesome. So I do feel supported.
“But yeah, we’re gonna take it day by day and that’s why we’ve been working on it for a year now.”
In addition to be locally owned, the restaurant also focuses on supporting local businesses and farmers. When possible, all of Tree Hugger’s ingredients will be fresh and come from stores and retailers local to Hope.
“We’re trying to be as local as possible and if you’re supporting us, you’re supporting others,” says Butty. “We also have a local artists’ corner.
“I’ve been getting a couple of inquiries of people wanting to enter stuff and, so far, I connected with a couple people, mostly candles and soap [artists], which is great.”
Aside from providing more health focused food, the restaurant is also environmentally focused; Tree Hugger is partnered up with the company One Tree Planted, and a dollar from every smoothie bought will go towards re-planting trees in B.C.
This is also how the restaurant got it’s name, Tree Hugger, through it’s committment to reforestation.
“We just love being outside and we’re totally just tree huggers. That definitely was incorporated into the name,” says Butty. “I can’t wait to make our first donation and get the ball rolling on that too. Because we’ve had a lot of wildfires and a lot of [forest] destruction in the past few summers now.”
For more updates on the restaurant people can visit the Tree Hugger’s Facebook page, thetreehugger.hope. They are also currently looking for a part-time Juice Bar Employee to join their team. Those interested can apply in-person or email their resume to treehuggerwellness@outlook.com.
READ MORE: Hope Community Services Dinner and Dance fundraiser rescheduled for Feb. 25
@KemoneMoodley
kemone.moodley@hopestandard.com
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