The Happy Nun Cafe is something of a local legend, but recently, the Forget cafe and venue for all things cultural is garnering attention from beyond this corner of the province.
“Sask Culture had a lunch meeting here,” says chef and co-owner, Katie Vinge. “We also had a visit from Ashlyn George, the Saskatchewanderer. In September, Saskatoon radio personality Kevin Power is coming for one night (Friday, Sept. 11) to record a show for his Saskscapes podcast.”
“It'll be a story slam,” adds Vinge. “The set up on stage will be similar to our open mic nights, except Kevin will be hosting. People can come and have dinner and anyone who wants to can talk and tell a story about Saskatchewan for his radio show.”
Saskatchewanderer Ashlyn George is inundated with requests to visit attractions throughout the province, as part of her role with the Ministry of Parks, Culture and Sport. However, she made time to visit the Nun in late July.
“It went so well,” says Vinge. “(Ashlyn) was at the Estevan Speedway and she really went out of her way to make time for us. She said visiting The Happy Nun was always on her to-do list, and that she'd heard good things about us from a lot of people.”
“We served her Saskatoon Berry gnocchi with saskatoons picked from right outside Forget,” adds Vinge. “She stayed for about three hours, tasting, talking and taking photographs.”
Of her weekday afternoon visit to the Nun, George says, “I loved it. I had never been there before, but I have a friend from that area who told me I should check it out. Katie reached out to me in February, and it took me a while to get there, but I'm so glad I did.”
“It was a pleasure to go there, and I only wish that I could have gone on a regular night when it was busy with music. That would be even better.”
Since Vinge and her partner Riley Riddell purchased The Happy Nun earler this year, the couple has put their stamp on the Nun, while honouring the cafe's unique identity.
“As you know, we purchased the cafe from Don and Shannon Shakotko back in February,” says Vinge. “We're very fortunate to continue the dream they built. Without them, the Nun wouldn't even exist.”
“Shannon is still our biggest supporter,” says Vinge. “She still comes to all our shows, and we're so honoured and grateful.”
Along with continuing the Nun's storied support of live music, Vinge and Riddell have expanded their reach to include as much local culture as they can.
“We put out a request to area artists,” says Vinge. “And we were overwhelmed by the response. We're giving four artists each a spot on the wall to do whatever they want to display and promote their work. It's not just paintings, it's whatever they want to showcase, and it will change periodically.”
“There are so many interesting people in this town and in this part of the province doing so many interesting things,” adds Vinge. “Musicians, potters and all types of artists and art.”
Vinge and Riddell's monthly menus not only feature food from local producers, Vinge now actively plans her menus around what area fare is available.
“There are too many to list,” she says. “But my sister drives our bread delivery from Saltine Bread Company in Regina out every Friday night after she finishes work. We get farm fresh eggs and produce from Fresh From the Garden in Carlyle. I base my menus around what (Fresh From the Garden owner) Lorissa (Stigings) has.”
“ I also make and sell pickles at the Nun, and I use Lorissa's produce,” adds Vinge.
Merchandise available at The Happy Nun also includes organic and locally-produced bath and body products from Rosa & Lilium Apothecary, as well as a new line of Happy Nun Merchandise.
“We have Happy Nun T-shirts and tote bags for sale,” says Vinge. “And people have been requesting Happy Nun aprons, so we'll be stocking those, too.”
“We're really happy with how they turned out,” she says. “We used a Regina company-Articulate Ink-and not only were they hand-delivered to us, but Karli (from Articulate Ink) stopped in for brunch.”
For those who want to 'earn' their Happy Nun apron, Vinge also offers cooking classes. “They fill up really fast,” she says. “But they're a lot of fun and we're happy to work with people. People approached me inquiring about doing some classes, and it grew from there.”
“I'll give them suggestions as to what to make; we book the night, and after everyone's done cooking, we all sit down for a family-style meal with cocktails or whatever and we enjoy and celebrate what they've created.”
In addition to its Friday and Saturday night suppers and Sunday brunches, Vinge says the cafe is also proving to be a popular venue for weddings and other special events.
“We've done weddings and we also have been busy with end-of-summer parties,” she says. “We even have some bookings for Christmas parties already, so we'd love to hear from our customers if they're thinking of doing a Christmas party with us.”
Vinge says that purchasing The Happy Nun has allowed the couple to “combine all of our passions-for art, music and for building a local food community.”
“When Riley and I bought The Happy Nun, we were aware of its reputation. We wanted to step in and uphold it, but also to allow it to continue to grow.”
“We saw the potential from the very beginning. It's a special place and we're so glad to be a part of it.”
The Happy Nun Cafe is located on Main Street in Forget, Sask. For more information, check out: www.happynuncafe.ca , or follow The Happy Nun on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
