After more than a year of rumours and anticipation, a popular regional coffee shop is set to finally open a Niverville location.
Capo di Grande has been making fans in Île-des-Chênes for a couple of years with its unique blend of premium coffee, fresh baked treats, and trendy atmosphere. While the IDC location continues to build its reputation and customer base, Capo’s owner and operator Chris Ewen has been casting an eye Niverville’s way. After a few starts and stops, Capo is set to open in the old Slice of Life location at 290 Main Street some time in the first part of April.
For Ewen, moving into Niverville has always made sense.
“I heard it’s the fastest growing community in Manitoba,” points out Ewen. “It’s a place we’ve always wanted to be a part of.”
Ewen adds that when they first announced the new location on their Facebook page, they had 240 people come see them in Île-des-Chênes to say thanks or to make a purchase.
“The response has been insane,” he says.
For those wondering, Ewen says that the new location will be similar to the Île-des-Chênes shop, but at the same time have its own feel.
“Is it going to be the same as Île-des-Chênes? We will have some of the same elements. Homemade desserts, fresh baked cinnamon buns.” But he adds that the Niverville location will seek to establish its own more metropolitan feel in an area that sometimes lacks for those sorts of options.
Renovations are already well underway. Once completed, the new Capo will have more seating in the downstairs area than Slice of Life featured. Meanwhile, Ewen has big plans for the upstairs area, calling the new décor “bold and sexy.” He adds that the area will become more of a lounge during night-time hours.
“We want people to have fun,” says Ewen. “People can have red wine with their chocolate cake. We’ll have traditional cocktails, manhattans, martinis, more artisan pizzas and breads. It’s something different and new and we hope people will like it.”
As for the other new coffee shop that’s recently opened in Niverville, Ewen says this town is big enough for the both of them.
“Nothing against Tim Hortons,” says Ewen, “but you go there for convenience. You come to us for a quality atmosphere. To be relaxed and feel part of something. We want you to love being here.”
Capo di Grande has always been known for their unique promotional ideas. They were doing paint nights before they were cool and Ewen plans to bring his popular Cocktail Courses to the Niverville location. They’ve already launched a new lunch menu in anticipation of the expansion, and some new dinner ideas are in the works too.
If all goes well with finalizing their liquor licence and renos, Ewen hopes to be open in early April and plans to launch big with live music at the grand opening.
“You just feel thankful and blessed to have a community like [Niverville] to come to,” says Ewen. “We’re hoping to help people fall in love with the concept of Capo. I’m really excited to be part of the community.”
