A few days ago I met with Jess Reno, co-founder of Nemesis Coffee to discuss their expansion plans. It’s exciting times for the small, local company that opened its first cafe on West Hastings St. back in February, 2017. Not only have they got a 2,000 sqft micro-roastery and cafe in the works for the new Emily Carr campus on Great Northern Way (50 seats with a huge garden and liquor license), but they’ve also signed a 10 year lease at North Vancouver’s new Polygon Gallery at the foot of Lower Lonsdale.

I’m a big fan of Polygon and love how accessible it is to downtown Vancouver via the Sea Bus, so I’m looking forward to being a regular here. Joining the Nemesis kitchen team, which is led by Chef Jacob Deacon-Evans, will be Pastry Chef Kirk Switzer. The Vancouverite has done time at San Francisco’s legendary Tartine Bakery, so it’s fair to expect delicious things on the bread front here.

I’ve included copies of the design renderings below. Jess showed me these during our meeting and was kind enough to forward high-res versions so we could take a proper peep. Of course the interior is subject to change, but I’m psyched at how simple, uncluttered and clean it looks. The 1,600 sqft, north-facing cafe is being designed by Waissbluth Architecture with entrance points from both the street and the gallery interior.

The Nemesis crew have come a long way in a very short time. They’ve accomplished this with no outside financing, opening their first cafe with a cash float of their last $35 (and several crossed fingers). They start construction as soon as their plans are approved, which is to say – with any luck – at some point before Christmas. Opening day is being set for Winter/Spring 2019.

Nemesis at Polygon Gallery

Neighbourhood: North Vancouver

101 Carrie Cates Court

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