Take the 20 minute ferry ride from Horseshoe Bay to Bowen Island’s Marina Pier and you’ll be greeted by a couple of cute little shacks, one bearing a sign with a smiling piece of toast and ice cream cone. Branch 02: Branch & Butter is the extension of Robin McMillan and Branch Freedman’s design retail space, Branch 01: Branch & People. After a month-long journey to Japan earlier this year, the pair returned loaded down with souvenirs, including a surprising number of publications focused on bread…and a whole lot of inspiration. Their super ‘kawaii’ cafe and retail boutique opened its doors on April 29th, almost exactly one year after Branch 01, in the space formerly occupied by Shika Provisions.

Photos: Lindsay Elliott

Branch & Butter is a continuation of McMillan and Freedman’s mission to showcase BC’s community of talented creators and to bring people together via two unanimously loveable foods. The Birds & the Beets’ wholewheat sourdough toast is the star of their toast menu and the perfect platform to feature other equally delicious local products, including Salt Spring Kitchen Jam, Mellifera Bees Honey and Vancouver Island Sea Salt. On the sweeter side is a line-up of seasonal ice cream flavours from Earnest Ice Cream. (For $8, the two can be joined together.) Their beverage menu includes offerings from the Juice Truck (weekends only), 49th Parallel and Fernwood Coffee.

Photos: Lindsay Elliott

McMillan sums it up thus: “In the end, it’s all meant to feel fun, summery, and uncomplicated – it’s toast and ice cream on a funny island, after all.” As of now, the gift shop and snack bar is open for toasting, scooping and shopping Wednesday through Sunday.

Branch & Butter | 400 Bowen Island Trunk Rd. | Bowen Island | WEBSITE