Published 8:39 am Friday, October 30, 2026 By Jill Westerman Northern News Services An old-school chalkboard destined for the dump has found a new purpose at the Hutu Cafe, where it now lists the coffee, tea and treats that bring people together in Rankin Inlet. For cafe co-owner Neco Towtongie, the refurbished menu board is a point of pride in a business that took four years of planning and persistence to open. Towtongie and his daughter, Nathalie Taylor, own the newly-opened cafe, with other family members pitching in where they can. Two months into operation, it’s becoming a place for friends to reconnect, regulars to pick up their favourite coffees and travellers to spend time between flights. The idea began with a gap Towtongie saw in the hamlet. “We noticed there was something missing in our community,” he said. But turning that idea into a cafe took longer than anticipated. Building requirements, health codes and workers’ compensation were among the matters the owners had to navigate as they prepared their location. “It was just one roadblock after another,” Towtongie said. Now, though, customers step into a space with the smell of brewing coffee, cedar wall panels and local artwork gracing the walls. Manager and barista Josepha Noolook said the cafe offers somewhere to settle in with work or catch up with an old friend. Towtongie describes the interior as having “a bit of a cabin feel.” Its restored chalkboard adds a connection to the community’s past. He estimates that the location had been part of a local school for 20 or 30 years before the family gave it another life. The family also helped shape the cafe’s name. Towtongie said his daughter Danica suggested Hutu — an informal Inuit greeting, similar to ‘What’s up?’ “We all got excited, and we were like, ‘That’s the perfect name,’” he said. The menu includes lattes, cappuccinos, brewed coffee and cold drinks, along with breakfast sandwiches and an assortment of pastries and desserts. Noolook said cheesecakes, apple crumble and caramel doughnuts have proved popular, while customers also come for iced coffees and caramel lattes. Alternative milks are also available. Made to order For Noolook, part of the pleasure of the job is learning who comes through the door and what they like to order. “I like the busyness of it all, and the way that I can make the drinks,” she said. “I enjoy using the espresso machine.” Some customers return daily, sometimes twice a day, giving her the opportunity to get to know their preferences, she said. The cafe’s location also brings in visitors passing through Rankin Inlet. Towtongie said the café is about a five-minute walk from the airport terminal, making it a stop for passengers looking for a drink and snack during a layover, with some staying to chat. “I feel like most people, if not everybody, comes in with a pleasant attitude,” he said. “Everybody just seems to be happy coming in and enjoying their coffee.” Behind the counter, opening a new business has brought its own learning curve. Towtongie said the training they completed could not fully prepare them for the experience of running the cafe. He credits patient customers and support from other businesses with helping them get started. “We thank everybody just for rolling with it and helping us get going,” he said. Hutu Cafe employs six people in full- and part-time positions and is open six days a week. Hours are 7:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday. Towtongie sees room for creativity and new offerings, but the family plans to build carefully on its early progress. “We’re going to try to grow, but we’re not going to do it in a hurry,” he said. “We’re going to take our time and make sure we can succeed in the long run.”
Coffee and conversation from a family vision at Hutu Cafe
