Commercial Street Cafe

No, it's not on The Drive. This is Commercial Street. Near The Drive but not. And that's a good thing. Less hassle, fewer cars and more people from the neighbourhood itself.

And it appears to be a neighbourhood in transition. Detached homes, apartments, new stuff going up and that light industrial thing happening too (and probably exiting due to the increase in land values).






At the heart of it all is the Commercial Street Cafe: less attitude, great  coffee and a nice sense of belonging to its neighbourhood.
















It's kind of deceiving, this coffee shop located in the refurbished and historic Gow Building: it's larger than it looks and would make a damn fine meeting place if only it were in the proper riding. But that's another story, and we already have Gigi Blin, the best coffee shop in Marpole.













Commercial Street Cafe is owned, and operated, by four young people who live and work in the area. The coffee is from Matchstick, the East Van coffee roaster,  and it's truly excellent.











There's lots of space inside, and some tables outside too. Friendly and inviting. Excellent coffee, good pastries and sandwiches, and nice people too.

The Commercial Street Cafe is well worth the visit. Why take The Drive when you can enjoy the coffee here? And on that point, it's worth the drive.

Photos by Jeem. Copyright 2016 by Jim Murray.