Four years ago this week, Jan and Eilnaz Dierckx opened Nero Belgian Waffle Bar at 1703 Robson Street. They’d been living in Canada for only a year, having arrived from Belgium in the spring of 2011. It’s been quite the ride for them since, their tiny 20 seater fast becoming a destination joint for Brussels and Liège-style waffles. Nero churns out as many as 600 to 1,000 consistently fluffy waffles in a single day.

Fast forward to a few months ago, when they took possession of the old Commune Cafe space at 1002 Seymour Street. Building a second location would give them the commissary space they need (1,200 sqft), and allow them to expand their dessert eatery concept to include in-house ice cream making and a small selection of Belgian beers, dessert wines, and dessert cocktails. It will also give customers a glimpse into the waffle making process via a broad open kitchen featuring five multi-waffle irons.

There in the thick of it now, with the build in the hands of Harmony Pacific Projects (see also Juniper, Brassneck, Matchstick). When it’s finished in June we can expect 30 seats inside and another 35 seats on the wrap-around patio. It’ll be sit-down service as opposed to counter service (unlike the original), and they anticipate a high turnover of tables based on quick execution. Hours are expected to be from 5pm to midnight Monday to Friday, and 12pm to midnight on weekends.

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