The fourth location of Javaroma Gourmet Coffee and Tea was filled to the brim during its grand opening Saturday in a city that loves that extra boost of caffeine goodness.
Rami Kassem, the owner of the four Yellowknife businesses, said it has been due to SA国际影视传媒済reat community supportSA国际影视传媒� that he just opened the new location in the Yk Centre Mall downtown.
SA国际影视传媒淲e had over 300 people there. We were expecting to see maybe 150,SA国际影视传媒� Kassem said of the afternoonSA国际影视传媒檚 activities that included face painting, gifts, and a centre table laden with a variety of delicacies.
SA国际影视传媒淓veryone was excited, as we are, and lots of people dropped in with their kids,SA国际影视传媒� said Kassem.
A taste of the North
While Kassem said he has seen many coffee shops around the globe where people just line up, get their coffee and go, he finds that in his shop, people stay and enjoy the atmosphere.
SA国际影视传媒淚n a place like Yellowknife, people know each other and they want to see each other. They often work in different buildings and want to meet in a coffee shop and chat and get connected.SA国际影视传媒�
SA国际影视传媒淥ur shop is cozy, people love the colours, the smell of the coffee,SA国际影视传媒� he said of the ambiance that draws people in to stay awhile.
SA国际影视传媒淟ocal means a lot. You look at our walls, we have all local artistsSA国际影视传媒� work - we support them and they put their art on the walls. Before Covid, we used to have a music night on Saturday. We would support local singers to sing in Javaroma,SA国际影视传媒� he said, adding that these create community vibes that people appreciated.
When Covid restrictions stopped people from their usual coffee shop routines and as he found it more difficult to find or retain staff as time went on, he said they had to cease the social aspect of the service they provided.
SA国际影视传媒淎fter Covid things changed, but hopefully soon things will go back to the way it was before and back to normal,SA国际影视传媒� Kassem said.
Aside from providing good customer service, Kassem said he attributes the longevity of his business to his strong connection with the community.
SA国际影视传媒淲e are community people and a community business and we have local support from customers. We are involved in everything in the community, so, we have a great community that is supporting us all these years.SA国际影视传媒�
Another draw to his coffee shop is the specialty coffee and the wide selection of food and other cold drinks they offer, he said.
On an average day, they sell hundreds of cups of coffee, mochas, cappuccinos and lattes, he added.
SA国际影视传媒淲e roast our own coffee and we have our own coffee blends. We mix our coffee from different countries to make a blend. We have Northern blends: Mad Trapper, Jack Rabbit, Wolf Breath and other blends. And our Northern special, you canSA国际影视传媒檛 find it anywhere other than Javaroma. That is a favourite,SA国际影视传媒� he said, adding that he often roasts and blends the coffee himself.
And while the focus is primarily on ensuring shop or delivery customers have enough coffee brewed and ready for them, Kassem said before Covid, customers would often order or buy bags or even pounds of coffee to bring back home with them because of its popularity.
SA国际影视传媒淣ow that we are short staffed, I am the one roasting coffee so I am focused more on the service and supplying locations but we could package it on location,SA国际影视传媒� he said.
SA国际影视传媒淚 would like to say thank you to everybody who supported us through this journey. We wouldnSA国际影视传媒檛 be here without them,SA国际影视传媒� said Kassem. SA国际影视传媒淚 think the future is bright.SA国际影视传媒�
