In a neighbourhood where coffee shops are ubiquitous, Our Town has cornered the market on heart. The first location, in a heritage-listed building on Broadway at Kingsway, opened in 2003, and has become a beloved neighbourhood institution. From the deep and comfy chairs that line the windows to the many community events that the cafe hosts monthly, the spirit of community is alive and well at Our Town.
Owner Henry Lee, an accomplished classical musician (you can hear him play with the Yaletown String Quartet, among others), wouldn't have it any other way. "The Our Town building was built in 1930, and developed around the time when the themes of the [1937 Pulitzer Prize winning] play, living and interacting in a small town community, were still important."
That feeling of belonging extends from the friendly service behind the counter to the welcoming home that groups as diverse as the Ukulele Circle and the Letter Writing Club find at Our Town. The diverse clientele includes everyone in the neighbourhood — from students to professionals, hipsters to families, local residents to office workers.
