Through my eyes... - The inspiring story of Café Castelo

My name is Anja Okuka, and as the daughter of the founders of Café Castelo, I am proud to share with you the deeply human and inspiring story of our family and our café.

The story of Café Castelo begins in 1995, when my parents, Nikolina and Predrag Okuka, made a decision that would change our fate.  Fleeing the war in the former Yugoslavia, we arrived in Quebec with few possessions, almost nothing. but an unwavering will to start from scratch. Their most precious asset? A shared passion for coffee, inherited and cultivated during the most difficult moments of their lives.

During the war, my father started roasting and selling coffee to support our family. It was during this time that he realized coffee's power to unite people, even in adversity. Coffee became a symbol of normalcy and comfort in an otherwise chaotic and unpredictable world. Despite all the darkness, people needed that dose of happiness that reconnects us to what we hold most dear: our humanity.

From war refugees to builders of the future

Upon arriving in Quebec, my parents were surprised to discover a caffeinated landscape dominated by filter coffee rather than espresso. Seeing an opportunity to share something dear to their hearts, they conceived the Café Castelo project: to bring real, good coffee, a slice of their European culture, to Canada.

They spent months perfecting their business plan while trying to master French, and in 1996, Café Castelo opened its doors in the Limoilou district of Quebec City. Customers not only discovered superior quality coffee, but were also touched by our family's story, a family that celebrated each cup as a way to bring people together. I mostly remember my parents' tired faces, but they always had that reassuring smile, making me believe that the future would always be brighter when you have a mission greater than yourself. Behind every business, there is so much sweat, effort, and sacrifice. I had a front-row seat to watch my father roast coffee through the night and open the shop at the crack of dawn without ever complaining, always grateful to see more and more coffee enthusiasts walk through the door of our little shop, carrying such a big dream.

The call to coffee lovers

Over the years, the exceptional quality of our coffees has garnered attention far beyond our original brewery. Specialty shops, hotels, grocery stores, and businesses have begun selling our blends, each meticulously crafted to ensure consistency and quality. In 2015, our continued growth led us to build a custom-designed factory. This new space was not just a factory, but a symbol of our commitment to quality and innovation, featuring a laboratory to test every batch and a production process designed with environmental responsibility and uncompromising quality in mind.

My brother Nicolas and I grew up surrounded by bags of coffee and our parents' stories. Working alongside my parents was never a matter of necessity, but a passionate choice. Café Castelo isn't just our family business; it's our life, enriched and supported by a team that shares our dedication to coffee.

Every day, we are grateful to those who choose to share our passion. Whether it's through a visit to our café or a cup of our espresso at home, our customers and partners are an integral part of this story.

Thank you for taking the time to read this story that fills all my dreams.