For Parvin and Al Rasul, opening the Waiting Room Café meant more to them then just opening a business. They wanted to building great relationships with the community of Chestermere and make some friendships. They have become more than just a great place to have amazing coffee and treats, but have become very invested members of our community.
They opened their doors May 2014 and say that this first year as been very rewarding. “It has been a great first year. We’ve built some great friendships and relationships within the community”, says Parvin and Al, owners of the Waiting Room Café.
Located in Kinniburgh, one of the newest communities being developed in Chestermere, being on the first businesses to open in that area definitely came with its struggles. The Café relied heavily on word of mouth and members of the community not forgetting that they existed over there. It quickly became a welcome space for business meetings, mom groups and their kids meeting, youth groups holding activity and games nights there and a place to take your laptop and get some work done. “We’ve always believed that when you give, you get back and that is why we engage in the community”.
With one year under their belt, it was time to celebrate. On May 29th, in the true fashion of giving back, any guests that came over to celebrate that day were treated to free coffee and treats. There were balloons, draw prizes, and always the chance for a photo opp.
Members of Chestermere City Council, local RCMP, Camp Chestermere, Alberta Health Services, East Lake School, Synergy, MLA Leela Aheer, and members of the Kinniburgh community all came out to celebrate with the Rasul family. Zohaib, Al and Parvin’s 21 year old son, was also on hand to celebrate the success of his parents and lend a hand.
At the Waiting Room Cafés grand opening, around 400 people came to welcome them, but on this one year anniversary, over 500 guests came to say congratulations!
Al went on to say, “year two will bring the same great service and more involvement in our community”.
