It’s late evening on a Thursday night in Niverville. The spring concert is long over at the elementary school and it’s too cold and wet still for a soccer game or trip to the park. In short, it’s the sort of night where traditionally the townspeople would be rolling up the sidewalks. Most folks would be inside with the curtains drawn well before dark.
But tradition is changing around here, in case you haven’t noticed, and spring nights aren’t so sleepy anymore.
The Capo Coffee Lounge is still buzzing as the sun sets. Downstairs, customers are lining up for baked goods and specialty coffees to take home. Others sit in pairs and small groups at the booths and tables that ring the main room.
Upstairs, the atmosphere is even more lively. About 30 men are milling about. Some sip on fancy beers while others enjoy coffee. It’s registration night for the local golf course and nobody seems like they’re in a rush to get home. You feel like you could just as easily be in Osborne Village or the Exchange District. It’s a scene that not only reflects this growing and evolving community, but also its excitement about finally having Capo up and running.
“I was optimistic about the support we’d receive,” says Capo co-founder and owner Chris Ewen. “But it’s been overwhelming how supporting people are.”
Ewen is speaking from his office upstairs on Capo’s fifth night of operation in Niverville. The mingling golfers make it tough to talk out in the lounge. Ewen says there were over 600 visitors on the first day, and every night the lounge seems to be hosting a meeting or community event.
The Niverville location is Capo’s second in the region. Their Île-des-Chênes location has been a favourite of local coffee fans for more than two years. Buzz has been building about a potential Niverville location for some time, and when the doors opened the town responded in huge numbers, even though Ewen says the store isn’t in full swing yet.
“We’ve had live music a couple nights already, but we want to do more of that. We will be doing our paint night and cocktail courses,” says Ewen, while adding that tableside service will become the norm in the upstairs lounge while the first floor will continue as counter service. He also plans on adding more homemade food and unique drinks.
For Ewen, the most rewarding part of the venture has been the warm reception he and his business have received in Niverville.
“I just can’t thank the community enough for their support,” he concludes.
You can find Capo Coffee Lounge at 290 Main Street.
