Café Castelo

The start of Café Castelo

1996

The two founders learned French while writing their business plan for Café Castelo. Their adventure began on First Avenue in Limoilou.

Predrag roasted coffee at night, and in the morning, he would open the shop with Nikolina to welcome customers and introduce them not only to the art of roasting but also to espresso, a novelty in the Quebec scene. Their dedication and passion for coffee quickly won the hearts of the locals, creating a true community of enthusiasts.

Passion is a universal language that can be felt in every cup of coffee at Castelo.

Teamwork

Distribution

In 1998, who would have thought that we would go from a small shop trying to survive to distributing our products in retail outlets? This incredible journey began with our first partner on the iconic Maguire Avenue. Thank you, René, for joining this dream and opening a store to distribute our coffees.

Shortly after, the radiant Julie joined our adventure by opening the shop Les Cafés de Julie, and she is still part of the family today.

We couldn't have shared our passion without our partners over the years. Thank you all for being part of this wonderful story.

growing demand

New production

A significant milestone in our history began on Maurice-Bois Street in 2003 when we found a larger space to meet the growing demand. This new location marked the end of roasting in the back of the shop.

With more space, it was finally possible to improve our work and increase our production to better satisfy our customers. This move was a crucial step in our development, allowing us to continue offering quality coffees while growing with our clientele.

Point of sale

New boutique on Cartier

And yes, the photo is from 2006 for those who know our Cartier shop. The exterior and interior have changed a lot with all the renovations, but there are two things that remain unchanged: the quality of our customer service and the quality of our products.

We also want to thank our loyal customers who have followed us since 1st Avenue and have supported us no matter where we opened.

Café Castelo: 807 AV Cartier, Québec, G1R 2R8

made to measure

New plant

A great dream comes true for the Castelo family: to build a tailor-made factory for the art of roasting.

In our factory, we have invested heavily in production over time. As coffee enthusiasts, we have dedicated the majority of our budgets to the continuous improvement of our production. We believe that the quality of our products speaks for itself, and our marketing is our products.

We have a laboratory to conduct pre- and post-roasting tests, thus meeting the highest international quality standards. Additionally, we have a research and development department dedicated to the commercialization of new products and greener technologies. At Café Castelo, our priority is to offer exceptional coffees while innovating for a more sustainable future.

Buying sun coffee beans

"New maguire boutique

We have come full circle by purchasing Grains de Soleil Café, our first partner in 1998. This partnership marked the beginning of our adventure in distribution and remains an essential chapter of our history.

We are very proud to continue this iconic shop, an important milestone that reflects our commitment to preserving our roots and honoring our journey.

Café Castelo: 1298 AV. Maguire, Quebec, G1T 1Z3

Research & Development Department

Processed coffees

In 2020, we launched our first eco-friendly innovation on the market. Although we were already producing single-use, recyclable capsules compatible with Nespresso and Keurig, this was just the first step in offering a greener product.

Reusable capsules already existed, but their success rate varied between 30% and 60%. We identified the invisible problem that people didn't understand: the coffee itself. For three years, our team developed equipment capable of mechanically processing the coffee to ensure a 100% successful brew.

We are a local company offering an ecological, economical, but above all, flavorful alternative. We are proud of our innovation, which not only respects the environment but also provides an exceptional coffee experience.

Revolution

Universal grind

In less than five years, we launched our second green innovation, a revolutionary technology that can transform the coffee industry: Universal Grind.

Developed by Café Castelo, this technology is not only practical for users but also eco-friendly. Through a multi-step mechanical process, we have created a final product that is ground, but much more than just a grind. Universal Grind allows for coffee that is compatible with all machines and uses up to 50% less coffee.

Why is this important? By 2050, we will need to produce twice as much coffee with half the available land. This innovation is designed for the future of coffee and can be applied to any type of coffee. With Universal Grind, we are committed to preserving resources while providing an exceptional coffee experience.

In the photo, you can see the founders at SIAL, the largest international agri-food innovation event, where we were selected for Innovation 2023.

The continuation

Dedicated and passionate successors

Anja and Nicolas are passionate about taking over the family business, in which they have been immersed since childhood. For them, it's not just a business, it's a family history, a living heritage that they cherish and perpetuate with pride. Every day, they strive to honor the past and build a promising future, anchored in the values and traditions handed down by previous generations. Their commitment and love for the company testify to the strength of family ties and the beauty of continuing a shared history.