After nearly three decades serving cups of coffee, snacks, and lunches to people in downtown Vancouver, 888 Caffe Express is shutting down.
The long-time coffee shop made the announcement on social media this week, noting their lease is ending and won't be renewed. In a letter to customers, owner Joe Abbinante said the decision to close brings a "myriad of emotions."
"For that long of a run, being in downtown Vancouver, it is definitely fulfilling for me," he tells Vancouver Is Awesome, adding that he's grateful for what the business has given him, but it's time to move on.
The shop, often just called Caffe Express, is located at street level at 888 Dunsmuir St., hence the name. Originally an Urban Expresso (a brand Abbinante was involved with), it's been a staple in the area since the early 1990s.
Along with his lease ending, one of the reasons for the decision is the dynamics downtown; even as the COVID-19 pandemic recedes, the offices in downtown Vancouver aren't as busy as they once were, partly due to more people working at home, says Abbinante.
"There are fewer cars, fewer people and everyone is trying to re-strategize," Abbinante says of the retail industry in the city's core.
In many cases, people who used to come into the city's downtown five days a week are only coming down two or three days.
On top of that, costs are going up, both for supplies and labour.
"Anybody now starting in this industry, the minimum wage should be no less than 25 per hour," Abbinante advises new business owners, explaining labour shortages are hampering businesses.
"Anybody going into this industry really has to put that part into their business plan," he adds. "Because they're going to have a tough time if they're not going to pay people what they're worth."
That said, he says right now is just part of the ebb and flow of downtown. The market was recently saturated with shops like his, but that's changing and soon there will be an opportunity again for new shops.
'I could not ask for anything more,' says cafe owner
Despite all that, he's very positive about the closure of Caffe Express, and hopes newcomers in the area will offer people new places for face-to-face interactions. At the same time, he'll be staying busy with a new venture helping small businesses strategize and scale up.
"'Don't be sorry, it's all good,'" he tells people when they hear the shop is closing. "The amount of positive days I've had here are just amazing, I could not ask for anything more, it'd be greedy."
Abbinante is also thankful to his employees (past and present), customers, and suppliers.
"Thank you for choosing this caffe during your times of highs and lows and trials and tribulations for this thing called life," he writes in the letter.
Many have responded with sadness and thanks online.
"Such amazing memories working here! Best boss ever!" writes Amber Morlan on Facebook.
"Beautiful letter. You’ve been a downtown staple and will be missed. Wishing you an exciting and successful next chapter!" writes @laurwynnesm on Instagram.
The last day of business at Caffe Express will be Feb. 2.
