A beloved ice cream and coffee shop in Winnipeg Beach is getting a fresh start this spring, as new owners prepare to reopen Breakwater Coffee and Ice Cream in time for the summer season.
Local realtors Alicia and Stephen Olyniuk have announced their purchase of 18 Main St. in Winnipeg Beach. The couple plans to open Breakwater Coffee and Ice Cream just in time for the beach season. They plan to revamp the ice cream parlour into a newly renovated café and shop.
The new establishment aims to become a go-to destination, offering coffee, ice cream, local goods and unique merchandise.
The couple announced the purchase of the property on Facebook on April 3. They invited locals to visit and share their suggestions, adding that anyone interested in job opportunities should feel free to stop by for a conversation.
Breakwater originally opened in 2004, and has been part of the town’s business fabric for two decades. The Olyniuks say they chose to keep the name as a nod to its legacy.
As Stephen explains, “Breakwater Coffee & Ice Cream is a unique place because of its history and the proximity to the beach and campground.”
The new Breakwater will offer a place for beachgoers to explore and for community members to enjoy year round.
“Breakwater Coffee & Ice Cream will have a merchandise store where we will be teaming up with local artisans. We are also focused on using a local coffee roaster and Canadian suppliers wherever possible,” said Stephen.
Ongoing trade disputes and the current tariff situation between Canada and the United States have sparked many “support local” movements and encouraged people to seek Canadian products. Breakwater Coffee and Ice Cream offers a new opportunity for Winnipeg Beachgoers to enjoy a truly local café experience.
The couple was inspired to start their business journey years ago. As Alicia explains, they started camping in the area in 2015 and “fell in love with the beach and community.”
The Olyniuks emphasized their belief in the revitalization of Winnipeg Beach, stating, “We feel Winnipeg Beach is revitalizing and has a new energy to it, we look forward to adding our positive energy and helping the town become the thriving beach community that it once was.”
While opening a beach café may be a new venture for the Olyniuks, the couple has experience in real estate, with both Alicia and Stephen working as realtors since 2015. They had their eyes on the property for years. As Alicia recalls, “On morning walks around Winnipeg Beach, Stephen would often point at Breakwater and tell me, ‘One day we’re going to own this.’”
The purchase of Breakwater Coffee and Ice Cream is a positive development for the town. It not only enhances the local business landscape but also creates opportunities for community engagement.
Winnipeg Beach Mayor Stan Potten welcomed the announcement, saying local businesses like Breakwater are essential for the town’s economy.
“They create jobs, foster community connections and enhance the charm of our town,” Potten said in a statement. “This business will be a fantastic addition to our downtown area and boost our community’s pride. I look forward to seeing it thrive and appreciate the enthusiasm and vision of its new owners.”
As summer approaches, the Olyniuks hope Breakwater will serve as both a gathering place and a symbol of the town’s growing vibrancy.
By Morgan Maguet
