Right at home, at work

Caleb Moss and Niki Dusseault bring an attitude of fun and sass to their workplace, and the customers love it

Caleb Moss and Niki Dusseault of Golden, B.C., bring a spirit of fun to their two-in-one business, Bacchus Books & Café. — Photo courtesy Caleb Moss

In 2006, Caleb Moss and his long-time partner, Nicole (Niki) Dusseault, decided to spice up their bookstore business in Golden, B.C. They purchased a lovely heritage building, moved the bookstore into it and installed a café upstairs. Eight years later, Bacchus Books & Café is thriving and has achieved a spot on the 2014 Kootenay Business Best of Business list.

We asked Moss a few questions about his two-in-one business.

Do the two businesses co-exist easily?

It works fantastically well. Folks who might not ordinarily come into a bookstore will come in for coffee and, over time, get quite friendly with the books. Niki owns and operates the café upstairs.

What’s the most fun about the two-in-one business?

It’s varied, eclectic, nothing static, different clientele all the time.

What’s your main source of pride in your business?

That we take care of people. Our place makes people happy. It’s good for our employees and our clientele—we have a lot of fun. We’re not conventional. We’re sassy and sarcastic and goofy, and everybody pretty much feels at home.

What’s your passion outside of work?

We have many. Niki sits on the (Kicking Horse Culture) arts council as a board member. I’m a city councillor. We have lots of other community involvement, and we love sports and reading and travelling when we can.

What do you do to recharge when you start feeling low?

We wander away, chasing the sun and enjoying food in southern climates. For more immediate relaxation, we both like to play competitive sports.