Rosefinch Mercantile & Tea Room

07/30/2026

A reminder that Crafternoon is still going strong all summer long! Every Sunday from 2pm to 5pm, a lovely collection of people gathers at Rosefinch to make things, drink tea, tell stories, laugh extremely loudly, and become friends and co-conspirators.

I cannot overstate how much Crafternoon has changed my own life. When we first opened Rosefinch, I was so rusty when it came to turning acquaintances into real friends. But some of the people I first met through Crafternoon are now among my favourite people.

We are always so happy when new people show up! You can come alone or with a friend. You can come every week or pop by a few times a year. Whatever works best for you!

There is no minimum level of craftiness required to attend Crafternoon, you can just come hang out and colour one of our tiny colouring books. But if you want to learn a new skill, someone will certainly be excited to teach you. And if you would rather experiment wildly and figure it out yourself, we will be equally excited to cheer you on.

Crafternoon is a particularly great way to meet people because you do not have to walk into a room and immediately think of something dazzling to say. You can sit down, pick up your project, and let the conversation and the camaraderie happen around you.

Every Sunday, 2–5pm
1615 Port Medway Road, Port Medway

Come make something! Come make a friend! Come doodle in silence while other people chatter! We would truly love to see you. 💛

07/29/2026

Attention community organizations who could use short-term full-time support: ASCEND applications are open again!

For the past two summers, we had full-time support for the community garden through ASCEND, and the impact has been incredible. Yesterday, we were thrilled to send several big bags of freshly harvested greens to The Landing shelter in Bridgewater.

Applications are open now for Cohort 4. Participating organizations can a worker for 19 weeks, with 100% of provincial minimum wage subsidized.

Placements begin October 19, and applications are due September 4.

You can refer a young person aged 15–30 who is not currently in employment, education, or training, or ASCEND can match you with someone from its applicant pool. Referred matches are prioritized.

For organizations and for the young workers involved, this program can be genuinely transformative. If you need help pulling an application together, let me know and I'd be happy to help!

Achieving Success through Community ENgagement & Development (ASCEND) The Achieving Success through Community ENgagement & Development (ASCEND) program is transforming youth employment across Newfoundland and Labrador, Prince Edward Island, Nova Scotia, and Nunavut. Funded by the Government of Cana...

07/28/2026

It is beyond my wildest dreams that The Queen of Afternoon Tea is even aware of our existence. Nevermind the fact that she actually came to our tiny tea room, and THEN she gave us a glowing review?? I can't even believe it!!

Book yours here: https://rosefinch.co/products/afternoon-tea

Looking at when she posted it, and her reference to who was working, we think she might have been here the very day we switched to our Summer menu! I'm so happy we made such a positive impression. She was blown away by all the food, and especially loved Haritha's scones. High praise from an Afternoon Tea connoisseur! 🫖💛

Stop #2 - A Surprising Afternoon Tea Review; stick around until the...

07/25/2026

I know I talk about these hammocks a lot, but I really want everyone to know that laying in them and listening to the birds and wind rustling through these leaves is truly restorative.

Next time you visit the café, leave yourself enough time to decompress in a hammock after. We have two! They are at the end of the garden path, under The Story Tree.

07/23/2026

Sad news, Port Medway! The Bookmobile won't be here tomorrow, it has to go into the shop for repairs. I am so bummed about it!

Never fear though, the Bookmobile will be back on August 7th at 1:45!

This means your returns can live in your car for another couple of weeks, and Haritha will have to wait to pick up his hold of "The Cat who Saved Books" (I'm not joking!).

07/22/2026

It's been raining off and on for hours, which means it's a good day to be inside with a warm drink and something from the pastry case. Izzy made quiche (sweet pepper, tomato, mushroom, gouda), savoury rolls (ricotta, sundried tomato, red pepper, Parmesan), chai rolls, and snickerdoodle thumbprint cookies. I say get one of everything!

Also: we're restocked on the "On My Way to Cry By a Lighthouse" tote bags. This feels like the perfect weather to lug your troubles around in one.

07/21/2026

Our backyard camper has been booked solid for most of July, and we have loved meeting adventurers from near and far.

We still have some availability for August, September and October, and there are a lot of ways to spend a few days here.

Book your stay: https://rosefinch.co/products/come-stay-at-rosefinch-mercantile

Come alone and finally make progress on the novel you keep talking about writing. Bring your best friend for a slumber party of snacks, gossip and hanging out in the hammocks under the apple tree. Plan a romantic getaway for you and your beloved including Afternoon Tea at our café. Or use Port Medway as a home base for day trips to LaHave, Kejimkujik, and Beach Meadows.

The camper is a 1974 Tabbert, parked behind Rosefinch. You get a kitchenette, a half bath, wifi and a simple outdoor shower. Your backyard will be the lovely community garden. Enjoy privacy and solitude, or walk a dozen steps to the café if you want a latte, some postcards to send home, or just a bit of human company. We can also deliver breakfast, lunch or dinner to the camper if you'd rather not see anyone at all. Just let us know.

Port Medway is a village of about 225 people, ninety minutes from Halifax. Walk to the wharf and watch the boats come in, read the stones in the old cemetery, and pick out your next tropical plant at Sea Port Gifts and Treasures. We also recommend you take a drive down Long Cove Road to experience dramatic waves and peaceful scenery, climb to the top of the Medway Head lighthouse, and be astonished by the treasures at Salt-Water Ballad Books.

There is no wrong time to visit! August offers dreamy summer nights. September is perfect for leaf peeping. October is for blankets, books and hot drinks. 💛

07/21/2026

Hi friends! Quick note that the community events board we put up in the store is a thin (and kind of expensive) magnet affixed to the wall. I just noticed someone shoved pushpins through it, damaging it permanently. So from now on please don't put anything on it without asking, and if you need more magnets we will be happy to move things around for you to find some.

While we are on the subject, please don't use pushpins in the post office either! It also leaves holes in the wall that will multiply with time, but even more importantly it isn't legal to have advertising in there.

If you are a pushpin enthusiast, never fear! You are welcome to use them to your heart's content in the notice board on the front of the building.

Thanks so much!

07/15/2026

For lots of you, our newest team member needs no introduction! The folks who recognize Carly are delighted to see her behind our counter, and the ones meeting her for the first time quickly understand why we hired her.

Carly is our summer student. She’s sixteen, a newly licensed driver, a crackerjack soccer player, and we knew from her interview that she was the one. She learns quickly, loves this place as much as we do, and has great ideas of how to make it even better.

She already feels like part of Rosefinch, and we never want her to leave us!