Cici Shen has already taken on some significant challenges in her young life.
But her willingness to do that has reaped many rewards.
The chemistry major turned baker and cafe owner bought a business during the pandemic and recently expanded to a second location. No caution being thrown to the wind there.
Shen, 29, who calls her job title owner/manager/cook, took over the popular Owl’s Nest Bakery Bistro in downtown Chemainus in the summer of 2020, spent some time getting acclimatized to the business before opening in November of that year and has only made the cafe more popular ever since.
Just for good measure, she purchased the former Ma Maison site in Saltair in May and opened it on June 4 of this year.
That would all be a bit much for most young people, but not Shen. She simply went into the business ventures full steam ahead and hasn’t looked back.
Shen’s philosophy in assuming control of the Owl’s Nest was a simple one: don’t change anything that ain’t broke and that included the name.
“Owl’s Nest being here seven years already when I bought the place, I wanted to keep the place the same,” she reasoned. “We have lots of regulars who come every day.”
Shen was born in Chongqing, China and lived there until the finally moved to Richmond when she was 16. After graduating from Steveston-London Secondary School, Shen obtained her Bachelor of Science degree at the University of Alberta in Edmonton.
She had considered going to a pastry school before the University of Alberta in a six-month program but ended up with on-the-job training with the purchase of the Owl’s Nest.
“I always wanted to learn baking stuff,” Shen conceded.
She was working in Alberta in the summer of 2020 when the pursuit of a restaurant location to purchase started.
“My mom liked the island,” said Shen. “She was searching around and looked at all the businesses.”
Other sites, including the former Red Rooster Cafe at Mount Sicker Road and another establishment in Parksville were considered when they came across the listing for the Owl’s Nest being sold by Jacky and Kara Lai.
“When I first saw the Owl’s Nest, it’s very pretty and this town is really beautiful, too,” said Shen, as they went to seal the deal.
The Lais were great, Shen added, in helping with the eventual ownership transition.
“Jacky stayed three months and Kara taught me all the baking stuff. The line cook at the time showed me some stuff, too.”
Related story: Parting such sweet sorrow for the Lais at the Owl’s Nest
Shen dove right into it and learned by doing while putting in long hours.
“I had to learn everything at that time,” she indicated.
With the pandemic, “it gave me time to learn and it’s not that busy, too,” Shen added.
Ma Maison had been for sale for quite some time and she eventually jumped at the chance to add the second location. “We’d been here one time and it has a beautiful patio and a garden,” she noted of a selling feature.
Shen’s parents have been a big help to her operation of the businesses.
“My mom had lots of experience as a restaurant owner,” said Shen. “She owned three or four restaurants in China and different kinds of businesses.”
Mom Miro Ren started helping out in the kitchen and dad Wei Ye, formerly a dermatologist and plastic surgeon in China, lent assistance from his crafty side by making the display cases inside the new location.
Shen’s other family members include: Coco Ren, 21, who’s studying at McGill University in Montreal, and brother Rudy Ren, 10.
The Chemainus location of the Owl’s Nest was recently renovated.
“We changed all the furniture and painted the walls,” said Shen. “We do it ourselves.”
Vintage lights also provided a nice touch.
Shen said the Owl’s Nest currently employs 10 people, including part-time.
“Some employees will work at both locations,” she pointed out. “Some will just focus on one.”
At Saltair, “I think we’re getting busier. It’s not busy like Chemainus, but people know this place is open.”
The locations have alternate closing days. Chemainus is open 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday while Saltair’s hours are 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Wednesday through Monday.
“When I took over the Owl’s Nest, I always wanted to bring new things to Chemainus, so we add bubble tea menu to our drink menu which is really popular now,” Shen pointed out.
The community has responded in a big way overall and that’s reflected in the Community Votes Cowichan Valley 2023 campaign where 1,598 businesses and people were nominated. The Owl’s Nest was the top pick in the all-restaurants category, top pick in the breakfast restaurant category and bronze winner for the cafes and coffee shops category.
Even though it’s a busy life working seven days a week, “I still have my own piano class I do every Sunday,” said Shen. “I walk my dog every day, too.”
