Once upon a time, the steady rhythm of the printing press shaped daily life in Dutton. Headlines from The Dutton Advance carried the news that connected neighbours, families, and farms. Today, a new kind of “press” is bringing that spirit back — this time through the aroma of fresh coffee, warm baked goods, and the easy hum of conversation.

And now, after months of anticipation, The Daily Press Café will officially celebrate its Grand Opening on Saturday, the 13th — inviting the community to come experience the space that has already begun to feel like a local favourite.

Opened by Eva and Henry Dryfhout, The Daily Press is quickly becoming Dutton’s newest gathering place. After years of raising their six children and working at RBC, Eva left her position earlier this fall to pursue a long-held dream: creating a hub where people feel at home the moment they step inside.

“It was time for a new chapter,” Eva said. “We wanted to build a place where people feel welcome — a spot to pause, reconnect, and be part of something local.”

The name The Daily Press is more than clever wordplay. It nods to Dutton’s newspaper history, evokes the ritual of French press coffee, and captures the spirit of a “third place” — not home and not work, but the meaningful space in between where community life unfolds.

That intention shows up everywhere. You feel it in the warm greeting at the door (often with one of Eva’s signature hugs), in the comforting buzz of the café, and in small, thoughtful touches — from the handwritten messages on the takeout cups to the homemade Dutch cookies, soups, and irresistible breakfast bombs. The café’s atmosphere has quickly become what many locals describe as a little pocket of coziness, a place where the outside world softens for a moment.

Eva’s openness is part of what makes the space special. She listens, adapts, and treats suggestions as invitations rather than inconveniences. One morning, after a customer asked if she could mix the café’s chili sauce with freshly made mayonnaise, she tried it — and it was so good that the blend is now a staple alongside their breakfast bombs. That willingness to collaborate has created a sense that this café isn’t just in the community — it’s of it.

The build itself was a local effort, too. My husband, Adam, worked on the plumbing during construction, so I watched the space come to life piece by piece. Seeing Eva and Henry take this leap — after years of raising kids, supporting their family, and doing everything small-town life requires — stirred something personal in me. It reminded me that new beginnings don’t have an expiration date. Sometimes, the next chapter is waiting quietly for the right moment to be pressed into being.

The Daily Press isn’t just serving coffee. It’s reviving connection. It’s reclaiming Dutton’s storytelling spirit, one cup and one conversation at a time.

Grand Opening: Saturday the 13th.

If you haven’t visited yet, stop in. Try something new. Dip a cookie in chai tea or a biscuit in Dutch meatball soup. Linger for a minute longer than you planned. You might walk out with more than a warm drink — you might walk out feeling a little more rooted in the place we all call home.

FAQ

When is The Daily Press Café’s grand opening?The grand opening is Saturday December the 13th.

Where is The Daily Press Café located? In downtown Dutton, Ontario on Main Street.

What are their hours of operation? Daily from 7-3 (current hours, check often for changes)

What makes The Daily Press unique? It blends Dutton’s newspaper heritage with fresh coffee, homemade baking, and a warm, community-focused atmosphere.

Marsha Knapp studied journalism at Humber College, worked in news and production, and now lives in West Lorne with her family. She is rediscovering her voice as a local storyteller. Read more at yougottaeatthis.net.