Before there was Gems Café & Bistro, there was Gems of Alberta, and before that, it all began with Gems of Edmonton in 2021. What started as a passion project—a way to connect people to Edmonton's vibrant local coffee scene—has evolved into something much bigger than we ever imagined.

Our goal with Gems of Edmonton was simple: to make it easy for people to shop local coffee, support local businesses, and enrich the city’s coffee culture. We partnered with 30 local roasters and launched a comprehensive online store offering over 100 locally roasted coffees. But for us, this wasn’t just about coffee—it was about connecting people to a growing community of coffee professionals and enthusiasts, one cup at a time.

Deep Exploration of Local Coffee

Along the way, we had the privilege of meeting countless people in the industry and tasting over 300 locally roasted coffees. This deep exploration of Alberta’s coffee scene became our competitive advantage. It gave us an intimate understanding of flavor profiles, roasting philosophies, and the unique stories behind each roaster—a perspective few others could offer.

With my background in analytics, I undertook a deep dive into understanding the local coffee scene. I wanted to know what coffee people were buying, where it came from, how many local roasters we had, and where their coffees could be found. What I uncovered painted a clear picture of the challenges ahead: most people in Edmonton couldn’t name more than three local roasters, and fewer than 10% of coffee drinkers regularly consumed specialty coffee. Even more striking, less than 1% of those coffee drinkers bought coffee online.

The issue wasn’t just accessibility—it was visibility. People weren’t looking for local coffee because, for many, it simply wasn’t on their radar. Discovering the local coffee scene in the way we had would be like taking on a part-time job, requiring time, curiosity, and determination that most people didn’t have.

A Pivotal Realization

This realization was pivotal. It wasn’t just that people didn’t want better coffee, or that what was needed was simply an easier way to access it—it was that they needed a spark. We discovered that for many of the people who later became our customers, they weren’t just buying coffee—they were diving into a hobby.

They wanted to explore, to learn, to experiment. Specialty coffee became more than a drink; it became a journey. What we were offering wasn’t just coffee—it was a doorway to a deeper appreciation of something they already loved but hadn’t yet fully explored.

This understanding shaped everything we did from that point forward, helping us focus on creating an experience that wasn’t just convenient but inspiring, giving our customers the tools and stories to turn a simple cup of coffee into something much more.

The Transition to Gems of Alberta

Over two years, we worked tirelessly to grow our community and build relationships, and by the time we transitioned to Gems of Alberta, we had connected with nearly 500 customers. What struck us most was how many of them came from outside Edmonton—and more specifically rural Alberta.

A Breath of Fresh Air

The Next Chapter: Gems Café & Bistro

This journey naturally led to the opening of Gems Café & Bistro, a space where we combined my past as a chef and Christina’s love for food. The café became more than just a place to share specialty coffee—it became a canvas for introducing people to new flavors, dishes, and experiences, all crafted with the care and passion that have always defined us.

At Gems Café & Bistro, we’ve brought together everything we’ve learned—our love for coffee, our dedication to community, and a shared passion for food. 

We invite you to visit us, explore our menu, and share in the experience we’ve created. Whether it’s over a cup of coffee, a thoughtfully prepared dish, or a conversation, we look forward to welcoming you and continuing this journey together.