Prototype Coffee Opening Soon in Strathcona

Prototype Coffee is currently under construction in Strathcona at 883 East Hastings Street. The 1,300 sqft operation is located in one half of the old (now divided) Writer’s Exchange space.

Owner Matt Johnson, who many will recognize as the former manager of Gastown’s celebrated Revolver Coffee, took possession of the space many months ago. Situated on the same block as Les Amis du Fromage, The Garden and Strathcona Beer Company, it’s literally tucked away in a corner behind a spiral staircase. It’s not an ideal frontage, but that won’t matter if the product is good and I expect it will be.

When the 16 seater opens this summer (the plan is by Canada Day), those who follow their nose will find three small Bullet R1 roasters from Denmark making aromatic magic behind the bar, smart coffee instruments from GINA, and one of those newfangled, under-bar Mod Bar AV espresso machines. Johnson will aim to have 10 to 14 different coffees available at a time, and wants cold brew representation – in flights, no less – of everything he roasts. It sounds awesome.

I expect it will also look pretty swell when it’s finished, too. Simcic + Uhrich is doing the interior with Milltown Contracting handling the construction. I went in for a tour of the space last week. Things were just being framed but I got the gist of it with some guidance from Matt.

As a coffee company, Prototype is already up and running. If you want a taste of what they do in advance of launch you can purchase their beans online or at Small Victory. Keep in mind that Cody Allmin from BOXSET Creative is currently giving the branding a major refresh, so what you see now (on packaging, etc.) won’t be what you get this summer.

Keep an eye on this. I have a feeling it’s going to be good.