Chris Ewen, owner and operator of Capo Di Grande, says he’s been looking for an opportunity to break into the Niverville market.
“We’re trying to figure something out. We want to be in Niverville by early spring or late spring next year.”
A Niverville location would be the third for Capo Di Grande. They started with a seasonal coffee shop inside their family-owned hotel in Grand Marais near Grand Beach. Then came the successful Île-des-Chênes coffee shop and eatery a little over a year and a half ago. Ewan says that venture has worked out great, even though they hadn’t really been looking at the town as a potential home for a new shop.
“My father drove by one day,” explains Ewan. “He just called me up and we fell in love with it and we’ve been here ever since.”
Ewan says Île-des-Chênes has proven to be the perfect spot for the kind of coffee experience his business offers. “The support in this community is immense. I have nothing but good things to say about Île-des-Chênes. I’ve never seen a place as supporting and really into quality coffee.”
While Capo Di Grande might be best known as a coffee house, they take a lot of pride in serving up a diversity of food and drink options. They’re a popular breakfast spot and keep a steady pace right until the night-time snackers are satisfied. Plus, they’re one of the few coffee houses that are licensed.
In addition to food and drink, Ewan and company have worked to make Capo Di Grande a bit of an event centre. They host paint parties, game nights, live music events, and even have an annual street hockey tournament in their parking lot.
As for what a Niverville location might look like, Ewan says he’s keeping an open mind. They have looked at an existing business but are certainly ready to go into a new space as well. They had even considered a pop-up shop but found the red tape too restrictive.
For now, Ewan and company are just happy to be doing what they do best in Île-des-Chênes.
“People love good coffee,” he says. “And they love locally roasted coffee.”
Ewan also wants people to know that the busier they get, the more great people they need. “Our employees are the best,” he says proudly. “And we’re always looking for more of the same.”
You can find Capo Di Grande at 597 Meadowlark Boulevard in Île-des-Chênes.
