Lethbridge’s Hidden Coffee House Gem: The Inn Purple
Audience at the Inn Purple enjoying a performer on the stage. Galt Museum & Archives, 20201002009.
The Inn Purple was a coffee house for young adults that was open from 1967 to 1968 in Lethbridge. It was a place where teens and young adults could go to hang out, listen to music and dance without drugs, alcohol or their parents. The St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church youth group ran the Inn Purple but the facility was non-denominational. The coffee house was born out of the desire of St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church youth group to find a way to “...uphold new approaches and experiments in establishing communication with youth.”
They opened the doors to the Inn Purple in July 1967. The facility featured a jukebox, table tennis and board games. A concession was available for patrons and memberships were available for $1. Live music and poetry readings were regular features on the Inn Purple stage. Dancing was always a patron favourite. The stage of the Inn Purple hosted many local talents, like Cheri Thompson and Dale Ketcheson. These performers filled the coffee house with songs and poems. The most iconic person to perform at the Inn Purple was Gordon Lightfoot. While in Lethbridge for a concert at the Yates Theatre in September 1967, he learned of the little coffee house and visited them. It is rumoured he signed the wall of the venue.
Photo Courtesy St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church Archives
The Inn Purple also showcased iconic artwork by Lethbridge artists. The main wall of the coffeehouse near the stage boasted a colourful geometric mural designed by Cathy Evins. Evins taught art classes at the Bowman and provided beautiful artwork for Lethbridge Musical Theatre. The walls of the Inn Purple that weren’t adorned with artwork were painted, unsurprisingly purple. The lower-level walls boasted Don Lancaster’s graffiti artistic style. These designs still adorn the walls of 1287 3 Avenue South where the coffee house was located.
Even with its revenue streams and the staff volunteering their time, the Inn Purple was not able to generate enough income to stay open. In June 1968, the Inn Purple committee held an auction to keep the doors open. By mid-September 1968, the coffers were empty and the Inn Purple closed.
Visit the Inn Purple exhibit on the lower level of the Galt Museum & Archives when it opens on October 15, 2022, to learn more about this quaint coffee house. You can also join us on October 21 at 3:30 pm as we share memories and music from the Inn Purple stage. The Galt's own Chris Roedler will perform the favourite songs from 1967 at this special event.