In a region known for its stunning landscapes and small-town charm, Savvy Co. is quickly becoming a beacon of culture, community, and, most importantly, exceptional coffee.
The cafe and bodega, founded by Caitlin Holmes, has carved out a niche for itself since its inception in 2021. Starting in Flesherton, Savvy Co. expanded to its second location in Meaford this past July, bringing its unique blend of urban sophistication and local sensibility to another corner of Grey County.
For Holmes, starting Savvy Co. was a leap of faith. A full-time teacher with no prior experience in the food and beverage industry, Holmes found herself at a crossroads during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“After two years of virtual teaching, I had to make a choice—go back to in-person teaching in Toronto or make the jump to full-time living up here,” she recalls. The decision wasn’t easy, but her ties to the area, where she and her husband Chris had been weekend residents for years, made the leap seem a bit more manageable.
The idea for Savvy Co. came about almost serendipitously. Caitlin and Chris were discussing what to do with a property in Flesherton owned by a friend. “We were brainstorming what we could do with the space and realized, being from the city, you couldn’t get good coffee for miles around here. So we thought, why not put a coffee shop in?” she says. What started as a casual conversation quickly evolved into a full-fledged business plan, complete with a liquor license and a commitment to offering something truly unique to
the area.
When Savvy Co. opened its doors in Flesherton in the summer of 2021, it was an instant hit. The space was unlike anything the town had seen — a combination of coffee shop, bodega, and event space, all wrapped in a charmingly rustic, salvaged aesthetic.
“My favourite thing about having started this is the community we have built, the people we’ve met.”
“We turned it into a salvage coffee shop for the first few months, selling stuff our landlord had collected over the years,” Holmes says. But as the business grew, so did its offerings. The introduction of a liquor license allowed Savvy Co. to serve a curated selection of wines and craft beers, further setting it apart from other local establishments.
One of the key elements to Savvy Co.’s success in Flesherton was its large outdoor space, which became a haven during the pandemic.
“We did great during COVID because we had such a large, private outdoor space with a big patio and heaters,” Holmes notes. The space allowed for a range of events, from markets to cider festivals, which became an integral part of the Savvy Co. experience. “Flesherton is such a beautiful part of this area and really is the gateway to cottage country,” Holmes adds, highlighting the town’s appeal to both locals and visitors alike. Building on the success of the Flesherton location, Holmes was presented with an unexpected opportunity in early 2024 – a chance to open a second location in Meaford.
“I was mucking a barn on a Friday night, which is my therapy, when I got a call from a man who had just been in our Flesherton shop. He owned a space in Meaford and didn’t know what to do with it but wanted to talk to me,” Holmes recalls.
Eric Baldwin, who owns Hill’s boutique hotel and the entire building where Savvy Co. Meaford is now located, was looking for someone to bring new life to the space, and Holmes saw the potential immediately.
“The building is the original Hill’s Dairy, and it just felt right,” Holmes says. Unlike Flesherton, which draws a lot of passers-through, Meaford is a more walkable town with a strong sense of community. “In Flesherton, people are coming to stock up, but Meaford has proven to be more coffee-forward,” she says.
The Meaford location has already started to develop its own identity, with events like vinyl nights and collaborations with local food vendors becoming regular features. One of the most remarkable aspects of Savvy Co. is Holmes’s commitment to the communities she serves.
“My favourite thing about having started this is the community we have built, the people we’ve met,” she says. This community-centric approach is evident in everything from the local products Savvy Co. stocks to the events it hosts.
Holmes adds. “In Flesherton, a huge part of my business is the events and workshops, and I’m trying to bring everything from Flesherton to Meaford on a more micro level.”
Holmes’s dedication to fostering connections extends to her staff as well. “My staff are amazing, they really feel the Savvy,” she says. “I feel like they are very much a part of the brand. Finding those right people is always important.”
Holmes’s ability to create a sense of ownership and pride among her team has been crucial to Savvy Co.’s success, allowing her to balance her time between both locations without feeling overwhelmed.
As Savvy Co. continues to grow, Holmes remains focused on keeping the brand’s essence intact while exploring new opportunities.
“I am open to the idea of having another location, more events,” she says. “I’d also love to take Savvy on wheels. Our landlord in Meaford has the original dairy van from the 40s, and we were brainstorming what to do with it. I’d love to put a keg and espresso bar in there.”
Despite the rapid growth and success of Savvy Co., Holmes remains grounded and committed to the community that has supported her from the beginning.
“The relationships I’ve made here, that’s what I love,” she says. “It’s been life-changing.” For Holmes, Savvy Co. is more than just a business – it’s a labour of love, a creative outlet, and a vital part of the communities it serves.
As Savvy Co. continues to evolve, one thing is certain: it will always remain a cherished local institution in Grey County, beloved by those who appreciate good coffee, good wine, and great company.
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Savvy Co. Flesherton is hosting a killer Trivia By Ross event this November 23rd. Good wine, food, and community in the OG Savvy building in Grey Highlands! Seats are limited and filling fast – gather your team and book your spot while you can!
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Words by Maddie Johnson, Photos by John Fearnall
