by Andrew Morrison | Cartems is set to open their new location at 534 West Pender Street this week, perhaps as soon as Wednesday. With the original location at Carrall and Hastings having been shuttered for some time now, I reckon not a few people are getting a little desperate to be re-united with their bacon whisky donuts (or vegan pumpkin spice, if that’s how you roll). I took a look inside the 24 seater over the weekend, when they were just one inspection away from getting the green light (they passed). The space was unrecognisable from when I last saw it. The production kitchen takes up over two thirds of the whole, new light fixtures have come in, a little two-seater bench has been built into the window nook, and the communal tables are in place. It looks great, and I imagine it will look even better when it’s finished, especially from the outside, where the old school marquee signage juts out over the sidewalk like the prow of a ship. Even better than the sight will be the smell, which will likely intoxicate with fresh donut aromas (20 different kinds – including savoury – 7 days a week) competing up our nostrils with coffee wafts from the Fraserhood’s awesome Matchstick. Opening hours will be 8am to 6pm. Shots of the original space below.

ALL ANTICIPATED OPENINGS