A coffee shop that operates out of the ground floor of a character home has opened in Courtenay.

Located across from the Courtenay fire hall, the Downtown Social Club Coffee Studio offers indoor and outdoor seating in a garden courtyard. The cozy interior has a "European" feel 鈥�  "a little like a speakeasy,鈥� one patron said. Most of the decor has been recycled from trees, rocks and old fence boards.

The cafe is owned by Eirah Unger and Kim Tymkow, who live upstairs. The couple opened the cafe about six weeks ago.

"It's (business) really picking up," Unger said, noting the beauty of word of mouth.

Unger milled the wood countertops and beams in a shop at the back of the property. Tymkow, an artist and clothier, created the silk paintings that adorn the walls.

Along with coffee, latte and espresso, the cafe offers teas, muffins, cookies, cakes and sandwiches. It's the only place in Courtenay to get Cumberland bakery donuts.

It also offers root beer floats and smoothies. Green smoothies are a specialty of the house.

"They're fabulous," Unger said.

The DSC coffee shop is open from 8:30 a.m. 鈥� 5 p.m. Tuesday to Saturday. The address is 574 Cumberland Rd. The entrance is from Grieve Avenue.

Musicians will perform at the premises periodically during the week.