Gracie’s Pantry began as a home-based business in 2018 and in March of 2019, Lexi Labrecque proudly opened the doors to her main street shop in Falher, Alberta. We asked Lexi to answer a few questions about her business and experience as an entrepreneur.
Q: Why did you decide to open a business?
A: We had originally decided to open our business as we saw there was a need for a place for celiac and people with food allergies to go. Unfortunately, when we were all hit with the pandemic, we had to change our original plans and offer all food types. we still offer gluten-free, friendly, and vegan-friendly options on certain days so we can be as careful as possible with celiac concerns.
Q: What do you feel makes your business unique?
A: We offer a variety of drinks, from specialty coffee to smoothies to refreshers to bubble teas. Our lunches are always made fresh and in house.
Q: What do you recommend from your menu? What has been most popular?
A: Our most popular items would probably be our flatbread pizzas, our Dill pickle, or Buffalo chicken flatbreads, which are by far the most popular items. Drinks-wise, I would have to say our Caramel macchiato is the number one must have.
Q: What advice do you have for new business start-ups?
A: Always have an open mind in life. You need to be able to bend and change as you need. Had I not had an open mind and been willing to change and bend with the times, I would never have made it through the pandemic.
