Tucked away in one of the prettiest corners of Gambo is Cashin's Chestnut Tree Cafe. It sits right on the NL trailway, is a stone's throw from the Smallwood Interpretation Center, with an awesome floating dock.....and is within shouting distance of the only pub in Gambo, The Trailway.
The cafe's owner, Bill Cashin relocated the current building, which originally opened in 1938, and served the locals as one of the main general stores in the area for almost 70 years. He has kept many of the original features and actually still uses the old weigh scale that was used in the store to weigh things such as hard cheese, peas, beans, salt meat and bologna.
He has created a beautiful atmosphere, whether you are looking for a cup of tea or coffee, soup, chili, or a great sandwich made fresh to your specifications. As well, there is a great selection of fresh baked goods daily, ranging from the traditional date squares, bake-apple cheesecake, or maybe you feel like a fresh raisin scone or a gigantic snowball.
In addition, it still serves as a general store, carrying simple daily staples, as well as many specialty items. If you happen to be in the area this summer, drop by and see for yourself!!!
Upon approaching the main entrance, to your right is a delightful seating area on a
rustic covered deck...
Enjoy a great meal with a bunch of friends, have a game of Scrabble, or simply curl
up in a big chair and enjoy a coffee or one of the many varieties of tea available.
It is hard not to relax and want to sit here....you just want to stay awhile and take
in the warm, inviting surroundings.....
There is local artwork, available for purchase, displayed throughout the cafe and covered deck.
From the moment you enter the front door, you feel welcomed. Your eyes will be drawn to the original board ceiling, antique tables, complete with Newfoundland tartan place-mats, and beautiful old mismatched china......
......to some old dry-good items that used to be sold in the store......
....and an old weigh scale at the end of the original counter....
.... maybe you'd fancy this old parcel wrap set-up, used to wrap grocery items such as hard cheese, salt meat or a few slices of bologna....
....or this, my favorite, an old telephone that was used in the store back when telephone
service was first established....and still works!!!!
After you order, from the great menu board, sitting atop an antique upright piano.....
there is lots to look at while waiting for your meal, like this old sewing machine....
.....great old advertisements signs....
and pieces of beautiful, local artwork that can be purchased...
There is something magical, almost a camaraderie among all the patrons of the Chestnut Tree Cafe. When you walk in, someone always offers a chair for you to join them or they pull out any spare chairs from their table for you and your group, if needed.
When I go, I sit with the greatest bunch of girls from around town, some of whom I never really knew, but at the cafe, I just pull over a chair and join the group.....It is just awesome!!!
There are many laughs and it is not uncommon to see desserts and cookies come to the table with several forks for sharing.
It is a wonderful place to get a traditional breakfast, second to none, or grab a late lunch
and catch up on local news......
Upon leaving, most people are drawn to the front window displays, featuring old items
used in the origianl general store.
There is definitely something that keeps drawing you back to Cashin's Chestnut Tree Cafe. Maybe it's just a combination of Bill's welcoming warmth, as he personally greets everyone
that comes through the door, the great food, and the simplicity and ease that everyone
seems to slip into as soon as they enter.
While at the cafe this afternoon, I enjoyed a great coffee and a chat with an old
friend, Vern. She laughed as she said, "You know, when I come here, I just don't want to leave".
I think that sums it up!!
