Mary Catherine Magee is the new owner of the Inverness Miners Museum and Annex, where she plans to convert the Annex to a restaurant and bar.
February 03, 2021
-by Bill Dunphy
The beauty of an Inverness sunset can be life-changing – just ask Mary Catherine Magee.
After listening to her father rave about his golfing experience at Cabot Links a few years ago, Magee made the trip from Toronto to the land of her roots to see firsthand what Inverness had to offer.
Holding a Master’s degree in business, Magee liked what she saw so much that she began thinking about the potential business opportunities within the communities.
And when “The Annex” came up for sale last year, she knew she had found her calling.
The Annex is basically a large, empty commercial building, built in 1994, and located adjacent to the Inverness Miners Museum at the bottom of Lower Railway Street.
“When I stood on the deck, looking out over the golf course and at a beautiful sunset, I thought there should be a little café here,” said Magee.
Magee, who lived in New York for nine years and was returning to Toronto for her business degree, said she is really enjoying her “new” life in Inverness.
“I was following a career path, but couldn’t get Cape Breton out of my mind. COVID-19 threw a wrench into everything and everyone is so stressed (in the city) while Inverness is still doing positive stuff,” she said. “When I talk to friends from afar and tell them what it’s like here, they ask me, ‘What world do you live in?’ And a lot of that has to do with the people. Everyone has been so friendly and I’ve had a warm welcome from all my neighbours.”
Magee’s mom, Winifred was born and raised in Windsor, Ontario. Her parents, Magee’s maternal grandparents, were Robert MacIsaac, of Port Hood, and Annie Mae MacEachern, of Dunvegan, who had met through a Maritimers’ association in Windsor where they were both working.
Originally, the Inverness Historical Society was just trying to sell The Annex, asking $349,000. However, realizing her need for parking space, Magee made an offer on the lot that included the Miners Museum.
Apparently, the members of the Inverness Historical Society board met and approved the sale of both lots for $525,000.
Terry MacDonald, president of the society, said the money from the sale will put new life into the museum.
“We’re looking for a property and we’re going to rebuild. Our plan is to build a structure similar to the design of the museum, but more functional and with a bigger display area,” MacDonald said.
He said they are looking at a number of properties, including an area by the Inverness County Centre for the Arts.
“We will probably be where we’re at for a few years yet. We haven’t talked to a contractor yet, they are all so busy, but we want to keep it local.”
MacDonald said the society should be able to build without seeking additional funds.
“I don’t want to saddle people with a mortgage, and with COVID, how do you pay it when you can’t do any fundraising?”
MacDonald added that the society currently has Liam MacDonald developing a website that will include a virtual tour of the museum and an online store to sell local books and t-shirts.
He said Magee made it easy for the society to look forward to the future.
“Mary Catherine has great ideas and she will be an asset to the town. She was very easy to work with.”
Magee said the sale was a win-win for both parties.
“The big appeal to me was the parking lot,” said Magee, who is now renting the museum space to the society. “They’re planning to stay for a little while and my hope is that they do. With both places open in the summer, it makes a nice little hub for visitors.”
Magee said her next steps are to get a building permit and to start retro-fitting The Annex as a restaurant/bar.
“Right now, it’s a big open space. I might be overly optimistic, but I’m hoping it can open in June,” she said.
“I’m trying to make a business for everyone should this become a long-term success. Having Cabot as a hub makes it easier.”
