Squamish business beat: Britannia Village is officially open

It’s been years in the making, but the Britannia Village is now officially open to the public. 

A grand opening for the hub was held on Aug. 23, which allowed for members of the public to check out the seven new businesses that now call Britannia Beach home. 

The village features shops, restaurants, a child care centre and services, each housed in nine original mine town buildings that were carefully restored and upgraded over the past years. All of which are located opposite the iconic Britannia Mine Museum. 

Macdonald Communities developed and built the village.

The official opening ceremony included the cutting of a ribbon, speeches from those who were behind the project, and fun activities for kids like face painting and games. 

So who are the tenants?

First on the list of businesses that took part in the grand opening day is Beaucoup Bakery & Cafe, whose new home is in a restored 1936 bunkhouse. The new outpost features a 50 seat space, as well as a 545 square foot patio and offers a variety of Parisian-inspired delicacies. 

Guests can expect a menu featuring Beaucoup Bakery’s signature collection of pastries, viennoiseries, and sandwiches, as well as new and exclusive items not available at its other cafes such as doughnuts and après-ski fondue sets. 

Next up is the new Britannia General Store which not only stocks local, high-quality groceries from suppliers such as Tree of Life and Avalon Dairy; it also features a café bar serving Umbria coffee, a liquor section with select wines and beer, and brick-oven-made pizza.

Copper & Fern is the third business on the block which offers boutique gifts to the local community and tourists alike. 

The items in store highlight locally made products for wellness, home and family.

Located inside the restored 70-year-old Britannia Mine community church building is Kawartha Dairy.

It is open seven days a week from noon to 8 p.m., offering 35 flavours of ice cream, along with milkshakes and ice cream tubs to take home. 

Copper Beach Bar + Kitchen brings the Irish pub vibes to the Britannia Beach community.

The self-proclaimed laid-back venue offers fan favourite “pub grub” as well as Irish booze and has a patio with views of the museum and Howe Sound.

Feeling like something a little fancier? Head to Autostrada Oyster Bar and Grill.

With a focus on seafood and other seasonal ingredients to enhance and utilize the Sea to Sky’s food resources and community, the new restaurant will boast an oyster bar, a fireplace for the winter, and a patio for al-fresco dining during the warmer months.

Wrapping up the venues that opened their doors on the grand opening is ARKA Yoga Collective.

Described on their website as a “tiny hot yoga studio in a tiny town for all the movers, doers and fun havers in the Sea to Sky,” the studio offers in-studio classes, workshops and retreats. 

For more information on the new businesses and what they have on offer, visit the Britannia Village website.

The Squamish Business Beat was developed in response to local demand for more business-focused news. To be considered, please reach out to [email protected].