Chalk another one up to “Good things come to those who wait” as management and staff of Brandon’s newest coffee shop embark on their first month of welcoming customers indoors at their newly renovated space in Brandon’s West End.
H Coffee opened to dine-in customers earlier this month, serving from its menu of specialty coffees and teas from a modern, tastefully-decorated location at 34th Street and Victoria Avenue.
The community coffee shop is owned and operated by Qiaoya Liu and Robin (Shenghui) Gao, who moved to Brandon last summer from China after operating a coffee shop by the same H Coffee name in Shanghai. Both are members of the Specialty Coffee Association and are certified as Q Arabica Graders by the Coffee Quality Institute, credentials proudly displayed on the wall of their 34th street location to support the fact that the shop is run by a pair that are serious about their coffee.
As the province, country and globe respond to the COVID-19 pandemic the road to opening has been longer than what would be typical with renovations to the Sunset Mall space beginning in December in anticipation of what was originally planned in a pre-pandemic world to be an April opening. As reported earlier this Spring by the Brandon Sun, the shop had initially began with what amounted to a soft opening in offering takeout service in May with dine-in not yet permitted amid phase one of Manitoba’s Pandemic and Economic Roadmap to Recovery.
Orders being put together at the front counter, which includes a Slayer Espresso Machine
Gao at work making a drink
A look at the menu of drinks
Beginning June 1st, with the province implementing Phase Two of its Roadmap the shop was able to move to operating at 50% of its 20-person indoor guest capacity with floor markings to manage customer flow and ensure social distancing. Takeout service also continues to be a choice for many visitors. As the world moves closer to a return to normal, plans are to grow into complimenting beverages on the menu with a selection of desserts.
The establishment has gotten the attention of a handful of posters in the eBrandon forums this week, with comments supporting the thought that the new addition has already found a spot on the local coffee scene. Amongst comments is one poster noting that cash payments are current not accepted. According to Liu this is a temporary initiative during the pandemic, with intent to also accept cash following the pandemic.
Liu and Gao are helped by one full-time barista with plans to grow into a staff of 3-4 in the months ahead. Presently maintained hours are 8:30am to 6pm Monday to Friday and 9am to 6pm on Saturday, with an eye on future earlier morning openings.
H Coffee is located in unit 60 at 3300 Victoria Avenue.