Leamington launching waterfront café pilot to boost activity, attract visitors

A waterfront café is set to come to Leamington’s Seacliff Beach this year. CTV Windsor’s Chris Campbell reports.

The Municipality of Leamington is moving ahead with a new pilot project aimed at drawing more people to its waterfront, with plans to open a municipally operated café inside a shipping container later this year.

Dubbed “Brew on the 42,” the initiative will serve coffee and light food while acting as the anchor for a broader Waterfront Market Plaza — a seasonal space envisioned to host vendors, public seating, and community programming.

Mayor Hilda MacDonald said the project is about creating a more vibrant gathering place for both residents and visitors.

“Our waterfront, I believe, is a jewel,” MacDonald said.

“If you go for a walk, if you come down and visit, you can pick up a coffee and enjoy yourself — enjoy the view and the amenities that are on the waterfront in Leamington.”

The café is expected to operate as a two-year pilot project, giving the municipality time to evaluate its success and explore longer-term options.

“At the end of the two years, we’re hoping that another local vendor will take it over,” MacDonald said, adding the municipality will also track usage patterns and demand.

According to the municipality, the project is part of its broader Waterfront Destination Master Plan, which aims to strengthen the shoreline as a tourism destination and community hub.

MacDonald said the goal is not to compete with existing businesses, but to encourage more activity and investment.

“We’re not looking to compete with other business,” she explained.

“This is more… Let’s be collaborative and work together.”

The mayor added the municipality would welcome local vendors interested in selling baked goods or other items through the space and hopes the pilot could eventually lead to more shipping container-style businesses along the waterfront.

“I’d love to see 10 shipping containers… renting paddleboards, selling T-shirts, sandwiches,” she said.

“There are lots of opportunities.”

The project is expected to cost about $120,000, with approximately $50,000 covered through provincial funding. Municipal officials say the goal is to break even over the course of the pilot.

MacDonald acknowledged not everyone supports the initiative, noting some residents have questioned whether funds should be directed elsewhere.

“Some people aren’t happy about it,” she said.

“But this is about having a community that appeals to everyone — a nice place to visit, a nice place to live.”

Reaction among residents and visitors was mixed.

Pam Gergely, visiting from Cambridge, said she supports the idea and believes it could create more opportunities.

“It’d be great,” she exclaimed.

“More opportunities… things like that are amazing.”

Joanne Sarault, a Kingsville resident and former Leamington resident, called the concept “a fabulous idea,” adding it could help grow the town and attract tourists.

Others, however, were less convinced.

Leamington resident Janice Bouwman told CTV News she doesn’t expect to use the service.

“We’ve got enough coffee shops around,” she said.

“I don’t think we need another one down there.”

Still, some residents said they support further development of the waterfront overall.

“They have a great piece of property there, and I believe it’s underserved,” said Leamington resident Katy Klym.

The municipality says additional details, including an opening date and programming for the Waterfront Market Plaza will be announced in the coming months.