Stepping into Edie Rae's Café at the Old Courthouse Inn in Powell River's Townsite neighbourhood is like stepping into a blend of history, mystery and culinary delight. Owner Kelly Belanger is at the centre of it all: local lore, ghostly encounters and gastronomic innovation that keeps both locals and visitors coming back for more.
It's been more than a decade since Belanger transformed the Old Courthouse Inn. Known for its hauntingly beautiful Tudor-style architecture and rumoured ghostly residents, the inn offers more than just a place to sleep; it offers an experience.
Belanger recently shared some chilling details about the paranormal investigation tours hosted at the inn.
“We’ve done it three times now, and people really get into it; ask about rooms 1 and 6," says Belanger. “These tours aren't just a walk through eerie hallways; they include meals and a professional guide from Paranormal Road Trippers, offering guests a chance to explore not only the inn but also other spooky sites in qathet, like the Patricia Theatre.”
The café itself is undergoing exciting changes. With new specialty coffees and the reintroduction of lunch service, Belanger is enthusiastic about the additions.
“We have an espresso machine now, which means we can now appeal to the coffee connoisseur.”
The café continues to pride itself on its homemade, locally sourced food, featuring signature dishes like its benedicts and homemade blackberry jam.
“We cannot forget to mention our fabulous made-from-scratch pancakes, served with butter and real authentic Canadian maple syrup.”
At the heart of the Old Courthouse Inn's charm is a sense of family and community. Belanger prides himself on the personal touch the inn offers, from greeting guests personally to ensuring they feel at home. He recalls an instance when a staff member communicated with a hearing-impaired guest using American Sign Language, one of many examples of how his diverse staff members go above and beyond.
With some projects, such as the four-season wraparound patio, which is still on the books to be completed in time for the 2025 season, Belanger’s vision for the future is clear. He plans to continue enhancing the guest experience with new amenities and by maintaining the building’s unique character.
As for the ghost tours, the next one is scheduled for late October, just in time for Halloween. It promises to be as enthralling as ever, with a new contest that challenges guests to spend a night in a claustrophobic room in the basement—a perfect experience for guests with a flair for the dramatic and the mysterious.
With a history enriched by stories of the past and a present that continues to evolve, Edie Rae's Café and the Old Courthouse Inn invite guests to enjoy a meal, a stay or a ghostly encounter within the building’s storied walls.
For anyone seeking a taste of local flavour, a brush with the supernatural or just a warm welcome, Edie Rae’s Café and the Old Courthouse Inn, located at 6243 Walnut Street in Townsite, promises an unforgettable experience.
More information is available at oldcourthouseinn.ca or by calling 604.483.4000 (inn) or 604.483.3343 (café).
