Not only our Community Hero!

Driving into Bear River, coming down the hills, there is a natural beauty, and an air of something beautiful! Getting out of your Vehichle, it becomes even more evident that in this place You’re greeted in a unique manner, and with a most wonderful aroma!

Jonathan Welch has been roasting fresh, fairly sourced, coffee beans at Sissiboo Coffee Roasters & Cafe. The smell is unmistakable and even surpasses the that of the early morning coffee smell.

That wonderful aroma hangs in the air, filling the hills, and the valley in which the Village sits. Hanging over the tidal waters of Bear River, and filling the whole area with a pleasant, warming, and welcoming to all!

This little village, on this tidal River, Bear River, has many of its old historic buildings sitting on stilts and a few years ago the Village needed help!

Bear River was founded by Sea Captains a few hundred years ago, infiltrated by Hypies in the 60’s and 70’s, and today, has, perhaps, the most Artists per capita of any place in not only Nova Scotia, but Atlantic Canada.

Over the years it was a centre for Shipbuilding, and commerce, having had a number of businesses, and even a couple of banks and a furniture store!

A few years ago, the place was beginning to fall into disrepair, needed a Hero to breathe some fresh air into the place! Jonathan Welch come on the scene and saw the potential and soon began to pour his energy into the Place!

Not only did Jon buy and restore one of the Historic Buildings, He also added his own positive energy, warmth, and welcoming spirit. His positivpity began filling the whole place with an air that was really refreshing! His welcoming spirit was welcome here!

Jon not only got involved with the Bear River Board of Trade, he invested his money, himself, and his family in this place. He saw the potential and knew things would soon be brewing!

Jonathan welcomes all who come here with a cheerful smile, and a positive upbeat, pleasantly contagious spirit, and a warmth that he instills not only into the coffee he roasts, but into the very fabric of our Village; and bestows it upon all who visit here!

The building that Jon rescued is the old Odd Fellows, and Rebekahs Hall, which now houses Sissiboo Coffee Roaster and Cafe. The building was in near disrepair when Jon come on the scene, as were many in the area. Jon has worked tirelessly to help improve and restore His building, in much the same way he has worked to help improve and restore the business district and community itself.

Not only does the old Rebekah Hall house Sissiboo Coffee, it also now houses the Blue Mind Gallery, a gallery reflecting the Blue Mond Phenomena of being relaxed and happy when near, in, or under the blue water.

The Blue Mind Gallery, and Sissiboo Coffee, both reflect this phenomeno. They also both help bring life to the Old Rebekah Hall. Even the walls of Sissiboo Coffee are adorned with the talents of local Artists. The combination of these two businesses sharing this space, only a few feet from each other, and the local waterways, truly reflects the mood of the Community, and our Community Hero!

While Jon hasn’t been able to solve all our problems, nor save all the old buildings, his helpful attitudes and ongoing commitment to draw others to the area, and see everyone included and thriving in this place, has led others to come here too! Some visit, some bring business, and some come just to see what’s brewing in this beautiful little Village!

From His Coffee, to his smiling, positive, upbeat, community Spirit, and helpful attitude, Jonathan Welch, is not only our Community Hero, He provides A Good Roast for Our Community!