Corner Brook’s newest creative venture is about to open its doors to the community after two years of planning and a long renovation.  

Erienne Rennick, artist and entrepreneur, originally born and raised in Ontario, is opening The Painted Bean Gallery Café in the lower level of 62 Broadway to feature local artists’ work and create a space where the community can hang out.  

Erienne, whose stepfather is from Newfoundland, first visited the province in 2019 and would eventually move to Corner Brook to complete her Masters of Fine Arts at Memorial’s Grenfell Campus in 2021. Ever since then, she’s planned on staying and adding to the creative economy in the region.  

She says the Painted Bean Gallery Café has a mission to support local artists, but will also include a cozy sit-in cafe space, four rentable artist studio spaces, a rentable commercial kitchen accessible to the community, and an exhibition space.  

Coffee and Culture 

“This isn’t just a cafe,” Erienne says. “It’s a community hub where creativity thrives. Whether you’re here to enjoy a cup of coffee, browse incredible local art, or connect with like-minded people, TPB is a place for everyone.” 

In fact, Erienne is making the entire space wheelchair accessible and will provide opportunities to offer workshops in the space to encourage inclusion of people of all skill levels and abilities.  

As The Painted Bean develops from an idea to a flourishing local business where art, culture, and community converge, Erienne says supporting artists and fostering creativity is the most fulfilling aspect of the entrepreneurial journey.  

“Being a small business owner means turning a dream into reality while contributing to my community in a meaningful way. This is the biggest puzzle I’ve ever built, and when it’s complete, it will be a true reflection of my passions and values, providing opportunities for others to thrive,” she says. “We aim to enrich the cultural landscape of Corner Brook and support the professional development of artists across Newfoundland and Labrador.” 

Bean Counting 

But according to Erienne, The Painted Bean would have stayed a dream without the support of the community and CBDC Humber. Between a Kickstarter, which helped raise some of the initial funds, and a CBDC Kick$tart Loan, the dream is becoming a reality.  

“The CBDC played a pivotal role in helping me secure the final $10,000 of the $30,000 in loan capital needed to begin this venture,” she says. “Their support was instrumental in covering essential startup costs, and I am incredibly grateful for their belief in my vision.” 

CBDC Humber and CBDC business advisors throughout the province work to help people start the businesses of their dreams. If you’re ready to start a business, talk to one of our start-up experts. We offer support and encouragement, but can also point you in the right direction for funding or repayable loans with exceptional interest rates, allowing you to build the business of your dreams.