The Island Grind is Campbell Webster’s private-label “don’t pay the Timothy’s franchise fee” waterfront coffee shop, tucked away inside the bowels of Founders’ Hall at the head end of Prince Street. Despite the rather abysmal environment — expect to be pummelled with tourism propaganda, aural and visual — the place is rescued by three things: a delightful staff, a good cup of coffee, and the best signage you will see anywhere:
Make sure you take a moment, while waiting at the cash, to look at the staff-intended signage that rings the kitchen. Each piece is a work of art.
I got my start in the business (whichever business it is that I’m in) by making hand-painted signs for the marathon sponsored by the Hamilton YMCA. To the extent that I have a visceral sense of typography it is due to that project (there’s nothing like painting a giant foot letter ‘M’ to get you intimate with ‘Mness’). And so I have a tremendous appreciation for those skilled in the arts of hand-lettered-signage. If you share my passion, visit the Island Grind just to experience that.
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I am Peter Rukavina and this is my blog. I am a writer, letterpress printer, and a curious person.
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Comments
Sounds like the experience
Sounds like the experience was good, but what about the coffee itself?
The coffee was pretty good
The coffee was pretty good too ;-) It’s hard to beat Casa Mia these days for sheer coffee excellence, but Island Grind is on part with Timothy’s, Beanz, et al.
For the record, I hate and
For the record, I hate and see no earthly reason for the word “signage.” What’s wrong with “signs?” If the word added something to the concept of signs or communications, that would be fine. But it doesn’t. It’ll be “foodage” and “drinkage” next: there seems to be a drive to add syllables to simple words to elevate the concepts they express, perhaps to justify the prices involved.
And “remember me” has never worked. Should I take the hint?
Paul, for “Remember me?” to
Paul, for “Remember me?” to work properly on the comment form you need to have your browser set up to accept cookies. No cookies = no remembering. Otherwise, I can’t fathom a reason why it wouldn’t work. Anyone else?
As to “signage” — Straight Dope sheds light on the issueage.
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