Tell us a bit about yourself.

I am the owner of Vintage Coffee Roasters. I started working there in 2015 right when the shop opened and bought it in 2019 when the previous owner, Jesslyn decided to move on. Aside from my family, I don’t think I could love anything as much as I love this little shop and the community that has supported us since we opened.

Where did you grow up?

I grew up in Alberta, mostly in and around Calgary with a few years spent in northern Alberta. After college I lived in Vancouver for a couple years and then moved to Edmonton before coming out to Ontario.

Why Hamilton?

My husband and I had been living in Toronto since 2002. During our last 8 years there we were living in a one bedroom apartment, which was fine until we added both a dog and a baby into the mix. In 2014 our daughter turned 2 and we knew we needed more space. We quickly realized that a monthly mortgage payment in Hamilton would cost less than renting a 2-bedroom apartment anywhere in Toronto.

What neighbourhood do you live in and why did you choose it?

We live in the Delta. We didn’t know a whole lot about the city when we started looking and it was an area our agents had suggested to us. We were excited about living close to Ottawa Street and having the escarpment as our back yard. It is a quiet neighbourhood, which coming from Toronto was strange at first, but now we love it. Our street is full of families and our neighbours have become good friends.

What’s the biggest change you’ve seen in the city in the last decade?

I think the biggest change has been the housing market. When we bought in 2014 we were already at the highest end of our comfort zone. Had we waited any longer we’d still be in our one bedroom apartment in Toronto! The best change though, is watching the city grow and new businesses opening up.There is such a strong sense of community here, certainly around Vintage that makes me so happy to be a part of.

If you were travelling outside of the country and someone asked you about where you lived, how would you describe Hamilton?

I have lived in many cities in Canada and Hamilton is definitely the one that has captured my heart the most. I love being able to walk 10 minutes from my house and be surrounded by nature in one direction or all the great restaurants and shops on Ottawa Street in another direction. It is a city with so much potential and I’m excited by its possibilities.

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