TEF Supports Opening of Café at Falmouth Artisan Village

The Tourism Enhancement Fund (TEF) has thrown its support behind the newly opened $25-million Dream Catcher Café and Lounge at the Falmouth Artisan Village, one of the Government’s projects aimed at connecting artisans and creatives to the tourism value chain.

Director of the Jamaica Centre for Tourism Innovation at the TEF, Carol Rose Brown, who spoke at the café’s soft launch on Saturday, September 19, said the café supports the Government’s vision of creating authentic experiences that encourage visitors to spend more time and money in Jamaica.

“We think that this café is a critical part of what the Artisan Village is really about,” she said.

Mrs. Rose Brown argued that the facility could become a popular meeting and social space for Western Jamaica, similar to established cafés in Kingston. She also encouraged more people to visit Falmouth in Trelawny for food, entertainment, shopping and other experiences.

For her part, Director of Dream Catcher Café and Lounge, Shelly-Ann Fung King, outlined that the business was created with locals in mind and is intended to provide Falmouth residents with a place to relax, work, socialise and enjoy food and beverages.

“We want people from Falmouth to feel appreciated, to feel like this is a hangout spot where they can unwind and relax,” she underscored.

Mrs. Fung King said the three partners, all hospitality professionals, plan to expand islandwide if the venture succeeds.

According to her, the café offers coffee, sandwiches and other food options, with plans for Sunday brunches, music, art and other activities.

The establishment will operate from Tuesday to Sunday, from 7:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m., with Mondays reserved for maintenance.

“If the locals are coming, so will the visitors,” Mrs. Fung King said.