07/15/2026
Dear Wild Oak community,
I never thought I would ever say something like this, but in the middle of the night our sweet little cafe went up in flames.
The first thing that came to mind was the “Jesus is the Answer” on the wall and how we wouldn’t be able to see it anymore. But then I remembered you don’t have to see it to know it.
I reread it again in my mind and really let it set in that Jesus has a way through everything no matter what it is.
And then the second thing that I cried over was you. From Pat and Cam Nelson, Collin and Kellie Brown, Rea the garden lady (just to name a few) and all of you who have supported us for the past five and a half years… we may never get to serve coffee and pastries to again. Like, what?
And then our absolutely amazing staff. My goodness, it would suck to hear about this. The best at their work and the hearts they filled. I don’t know what else to say here either.
Kathleen at the Twisted Pearl, I’m so sorry that the fire spread to your building. All that beautiful yarn and the labour of love you did for the community, it doesn’t end here.
To James & Lindsay Pringle at the Great Wall, I am also sad that this affected your business but I hope you’ll be up and running again soon serving good dishes.
And then to the firefighters. You spent hours trying to save the buildings. Thank you for your bravery and work you put in the middle of the night. We appreciate you.
I have been reading many of the comments on social media and I thank you for the kind words and well wishes you have written.
And to those who have personally reached out to either Brian or I, those messages made the whole thing even sadder. The love you and everyone else have shown is just mind blowing. So thank you too from the bottom of our hearts.
We are relieved no one was hurt and that everything else is just “stuff”.
I do not believe the cafe story is done here. There are no plans but when one door closes another opens. And so we sit on that.
Thank you all again.
Brian, Elizabeth, & Constance Peony
