CraigH Senior Member Joined: 29 Mar 2006 Posts: 13 Location: North Delta, BC, Canada Expertise: I love coffee
Posted Wed Mar 29, 2006, 9:52am Subject: Vancouver; Wondering what happened to a coffee roaster on Commercial Drive
About 5 years ago there was a coffee roaster on the east side of Commercial Drive, a block or two South of the theater.
I think the name was something like "Colleria"? It was run by a bunch of older Italian people and think they did the roasting in the back of the store.
Did it close down completely, or just move to a new location?
MarkPrince Moderator Joined: 19 Dec 2001 Posts: 5,462 Location: Vancouver, BC Expertise: Professional
Espresso: KvdW Speedster Grinder: Compak K10 WBC Vac Pot: A bit too many Drip: Clive Coffee Drip Stand Roaster: Hario Glass Retro Roaster
Posted Wed Mar 29, 2006, 4:31pm Subject: Re: Vancouver; Wondering what happened to a coffee roaster on Commercial Drive
Hi Craig. The only one I can think of is Continental Cafe. They used to roast right in their location at 3rd and Commercial; last year, they renovated and moved the roaster off site, but still roast their own coffee and still sell green at the cafe.
JJ at 6th and Commercial also used to do roasts thursday and friday on the sample roaster in the middle of the cafe. I don't know if they are still doing that.
Posted Wed Mar 29, 2006, 8:15pm Subject: Re: Vancouver; Wondering what happened to a coffee roaster on Commercial Drive
In brief conversations about pre-Starbucks coffee in Vancouver with parents of a friend of mine, they mentioned they had their first cappuccino (in the late 70s?) on the drive at a place called Colleria. If I remember correctly, they said it had been closed for years.
CraigH Senior Member Joined: 29 Mar 2006 Posts: 13 Location: North Delta, BC, Canada Expertise: I love coffee
Posted Fri Apr 7, 2006, 9:40am Subject: Re: Vancouver; Wondering what happened to a coffee roaster on Commercial Drive
peter_van Said:
In brief conversations about pre-Starbucks coffee in Vancouver with parents of a friend of mine, they mentioned they had their first cappuccino (in the late 70s?) on the drive at a place called Colleria. If I remember correctly, they said it had been closed for years.
Posted Mon Apr 17, 2006, 7:44am Subject: Re: Vancouver; Wondering what happened to a coffee roaster on Commercial Drive
Yes, there was a place on the east side of Commercial Drive called Colleria (or it may have been Colleira, I'm not 100% sure, but I think that's what it was). I have been in there before, and have lived in Vancouver 16 years, so it must have closed since I moved here. It may have been called Torrefazione Colleira. My downstairs neighbour would know more, as he used to always buy his coffee there. It maybe closed 6 or 7 years ago, and if I'm not mistaken, JJ Bean took over its location. JJ used to offer a roast called the Colleira Roast, which used Colleira's original "recipe", and I think JJ's roasting machine may have been inheirited from the former tenants, but they stopped making that particular roast only a couple years ago, much to the dismay of my neighbour. The reason given was "not enough demand." He claims it was the best roasted coffee available in the city. And yes, it was an old Italian business. I will try to look into it and see if I can find out more accurate information, dates, etc. It had been there for years.
On a completely different note, I have a question: my beloved Rancilio Silvia has developed a problem. She no longer heats the water in the boiler when I turn her on. If I switch on the steamer button, I'll get steaming temperature water, but when I turn off steam, the water is no longer maintained at brewing temperature. Kind of a big problem, I guess. I think it must be the thermostat. After 5 or so years of devoted attention, she's decided to give me the cold shoulder, and we need to find a marriage counsellor (ie. espresso machine repair center) where we can hopefully work out our problems together. Does anyone know of a reputable place, preferably not in Port Moody, where we could go? Thanks.
You know what, I never did persue that avenue of investigation. I've been going to Continental lately for my beans, I find their roasts to be fresher and more consistent than JJ's. Next time I'm in there, I'll ask about Coleira, though. Continental is a family-run business, and they've been there for years, so they might know something about it. I'll let you know if I find out anything.
Posted Thu Dec 7, 2006, 12:44am Subject: Re: Vancouver; Wondering what happened to a coffee roaster on Commercial Drive
As far as I know Colliera was bought out by JJ.. I don't know the Family personally but they were more contemporaries of my Great Grandfather and Grandmother than of myself.. I don't know for certain but my guess is that the family retired from the business and that is why they sold.. I have no Idea as to their quality or recipe, but for a couple of years after they closed I would still have people coming in an asking about them so that seems to speak volumes..
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