A coffee shop that once called downtown Edmonton home is reopening its doors after a 15-year absence, in a move its owner says reflects renewed confidence in the city core despite ongoing challenges.
Tesoro Caffè Bar, previously a fixture in what is now known as the Wîhkwêntôwin neighbourhood, is relaunching on Jasper Avenue. Owner Franco Maione, who has spent 14 years working in the real estate industry, said the decision to bring the café back was driven by what he sees as strong long-term potential for the area.
Maione said his priority is consistent quality alongside a strong customer experience, both while patrons are in the café and after they leave. Drawing on his real estate background, he pointed to planned residential developments and increasing density coming to downtown as reasons for his optimism, despite what he described as persistent negative sentiment about the core.
A Wave of Closures, But Also New Openings
The reopening comes after a string of business closures in downtown Edmonton, which have been linked in part to construction activity, parking difficulties and safety concerns in the area.
The Edmonton Downtown Business Association said that while those pressures are real, they don’t tell the whole story. Executive director James Robinson said the organization is seeing a notable amount of business activity downtown, ranging from concerts and events to a substantial workforce based in the core. He characterized Tesoro’s return as part of a broader effort to draw workers back downtown.
Other Downtown Businesses Weigh In
Ahmed Alhalwani, owner of Mr. Barber, a barbershop located near the new café, said downtown remains a place with real opportunity for growth, even though construction and parking present ongoing difficulties for operators. He noted that his business began with a single downtown location and has since expanded to five locations, which he said speaks to the potential the area holds for business owners.
The return of Tesoro Caffè Bar adds to the mix of businesses currently operating in downtown Edmonton, as the area continues to navigate a combination of redevelopment plans, workforce activity, and the challenges that have driven some businesses to close in recent years.
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