Elizabeth Werner, from Asphalt to Bricks & Mortar

Starting a new business is difficult, challenging and quite stressful at the best of times. Starting a new business during a pandemic is beyond imagination, yet for Elizabeth Werner, it was simply another phase in her life.

Her latest venture is a new store on Queen Street in Port Perry called, ‘That Place on Queen’. Formerly Queen Beans and Eco Port, Elizabeth bought the business, as the previous owners wanted to retire.

“I’ve always wanted to own and operate a retail business,” Elizabeth said. Her current venture, the Asphalt Cookie Company, is doing well, but operates from her home. It was time to expand.

Elizabeth Werner was born in Vancouver, and at the age of 11 months, moved with her family to Scarborough. “It was a long trek,” she recalled. “I spent most of it asleep on the back dash of my parent’s car.” She paused, “It was before seatbelts were mandatory, or possibly even installed.”

Her father, a minister, was transferred to Hamilton after a five year stint in Toronto. Then they moved the family to Winnipeg, where Elizabeth lived until she was 23.

High school years included a part-time job at Wendy’s and participation in the school musicals. She also filled in an application, and was accepted, to the general science program at the University of Manitoba.