In 1968, Sylvia Mounsey visited Galiano Island, fell in love with it,and impulsively offered a $5 down payment on a property. She then returned to North Vancouver to inform her husband and negotiate his retirement. After 20 years in Vancouver, they were ready for a change, but still needed to support themselves and their growing passion for travel. Inspired by a small restaurant in England, Sylvia, whose passion was cooking, conceived the idea for The Pink Geranium.

The Pink Geranium opened in 1972 with five tables and 16 chairs, operating three nights a week. The rest of the time was spent shopping, baking bread, curing salmon and bacon, and gathering local plants and vegetables for the restaurant. Sylvia served as the cook, hostess, and waitress, while Ken worked behind the scenes, peeling potatoes, washing dishes, and making his signature Pink Geranium cocktails. Celebrities and locals dined there without fanfare, and the restaurant earned accolades and awards.

For 15 years, every time they saved enough money, Ken and Sylvia would close the restaurant and embark on budget-friendly adventures around the world. They returned home broke but with photo albums that were shared with guests, giving them a glimpse of the experiences they were funding.

Eventually, even three nights a week became too much for the couple, and The Pink Geranium closed, to the disappointment of many. They later ran it as a B&B and then as a long-term rental. Although the building was eventually renovated, its original charm remained, enjoyed by many Airbnb guests. As they aged, Ken and Sylvia traveled less, spending their remaining years on their beloved island, enjoying each other's company and reminiscing about their remarkable lives.

In 2021, Jesse purchased The Pink Geranium (PG) and began converting it into a café and general store, aiming to make it an amenity for Bodega Ridge and Bodega Cove, as well as a cultural hub for the north end of Galiano Island. With the help of a talented team, the PG has been restored into something new, in a way that we feel honors Sylvia and Ken's original vision.