Nancy H.
Yelp
Despite driving on Arbutus a gazillion times over the past few years, I'd never before been on this particular stretch of the road (a few blocks south of Kits beach, by 6th Ave.) - until the other day. Passing it by en route to visit a friend, I was struck by the cuteness of this corner café. A wave of nostalgia hit hard, reminding me of all the hippie-dippie small cafes and teahouses of my teenage years (circa late 60's-late 70's). Picture tiny mom-and-pop-like shops with hanging baskets of flowers or ferns, bistro tables and chairs outside, unassuming yet still inviting interiors with display cases chock full of fresh pastries, the aroma of coffees a-brewing, and friendly young adults manning the counters. Local artist posters or art on the walls. Tiny bathroom but clean. Cute menu up on the wall, and cuter sandwich boards outside by the corner. You get the picture! Passing it by, I just knew I had to return. Which I did, the following day, with my kid!
We were lucky and got a parking spot right outside (street parking only here) and went in to order our lunch. We shared a piping hot toasted sandwich of brie and turkey with thinly sliced apples. The ciabatta bread was super fresh, with a crunchy exterior and soft interior, perfectly toasted. We both had chai lattés and they were perfect. (Note: this small coffee shop has quite an impressive selection of beverages and pastries, and 3-4 sandwich options).
I noticed a plaque on the building's exterior noting this site used to be an old, historic grocery store in Kits. (I'll post a photo I took of the plaque); the historical context definitely adds character to this place, as it truly feels rooted in the community. I also liked how there is a tiny "free library" stand right outside the place on Arbutus (i.e., free books for the taking housed in a cute kiosk on a pole), and also a post where local community events are posted. The result of all this is a feeling that this cozy corner coffee shop is a longstanding fixture of the neighborhood, the kind of place where the employees here would know the names of patrons and their preferred foods and drinks. Very anti-corporate vibes here. A real local gem!