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Beachside tearoom celebrates 60 years as ‘little piece of heaven’

No doubt, Kiwanians serve their communities in a wide variety of ways. But when Kiwanians in Oak Bay, Victoria, British Columbia, serve, they really serve. Really. As in crinkle fries, hot dogs, and mugs of tea to hoards of hungry and thirsty beachgoers who frequent the club’s Willows Beach Tearoom for refreshment.

An Oak Bay Kiwanian pulls a fresh batch of tasty crinkle fries hot out of the fryer.

Lining up from “here to Halifax,” patrons prove the Willows Beach Tearoom’s popularity.

Willows Beach offers a side of tranquility and an idyllic oceanfront scene for patrons who stop by Oak Bay Kiwanians’ tearoom.

The tearoom, which celebrates its 60th anniversary this year, began as a beachside tent where the Kiwanians sold candy and ice cream. Over the years the venue evolved: The Kiwanians built a permanent pavilion, kicked their menu up a few notches, and, for a while, even offered boat storage.

Open mid-April through the first of October, the tearoom pours out some sweet profits for the club—about CAD$50,000 annually.

“It’s a popular beach,” explains Kiwanian Gerry Adam. “And we’ve got the best crinkle fries on the beach—of course we’re the only ones selling french fries on the beach.”

It’s an ideal setup, for sure. A longstanding fixture in the community, the tearoom sees many regular customers, especially older couples who, after a morning beach stroll, stop to take in a raisin scone and a cup of tea or coffee—not to mention the impressive, unobstructed ocean view. But it also offers respite for sunbathers and a younger crowd during the afternoon heat and oft has been the setting for corporate parties and school picnics.

“A lot of people are happy to see us open the season, and sad to see us go when it’s time to close,” Gerry says.

Including the Oak Bay Kiwanians. The tearoom is staffed by a mix of Kiwanians, who volunteer their time, and youth from the community, who are paid. Gerry explains the Kiwanians take the bulk of the work hours, in part because their schedules can accommodate mornings and weekdays. On weekends and during special events, the club “backfills” the scheduling with teens and university students.

“There’s a lot of camaraderie in working at the tearoom,” Gerry says. “No one has a bad day there. People have actually joined our club because of the tearoom. It shows that Kiwanis takes its work seriously and has fun doing it.”

And, having Kiwanians volunteer their time boosts net profits. Out-of-pocket expenses are kept to food costs, wages for the extra help, and occasional repairs or maintenance that must be outsourced. The Kiwanians maintain everything else themselves, including taking the moss off the roof, painting, and doing minor repairs each season. The tearoom is the only fundraiser the club stages.

Like any outdoor venue, though, business depends on the weather. Gerry notes that while the tearoom normally keeps a flow of customers, on rainy days “you’re like the Maytag repair man” sitting and waiting with no business. Not, however, the case during Oak Bay’s annual “tea party,” which culminates in a parade leading to Kiwanis’ Willows Beach Tearoom. The tearoom serves as a hub of carnival festivities.

It’s also served as a movie extra. This past year, the Lifetime channel costumed the tearoom as “Moe’s Snack Shack” for a scene in the original movie To Be Fat Like Me. The Kiwanians cooked hamburgers and hot dogs for the movie crew.

 “The tearoom is full of that welcoming warmth. It’s really a central part of the beach and the community,” Gerry says. “It’s a little piece of heaven.”