Local café brings the third-wave coffee trend to Prince George

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Ritual Coffee Bar specializes in ethical artisan coffee and locally sourced food in a minimalist space that’s flooded with natural light.   

These days, people are as particular about their coffee as they are about wine: they’re interested in provenance, fair-trade, methods of production, and above all, the quality of the final brew. It’s called third-wave coffee, and when Jon Letchford realized Prince George residents didn’t have a place to indulge in a better cuppa, he decided to fix that.

“I have a passion for entrepreneurship and business design – specifically, looking for niches,” he explains. “Third-wave coffee and the Pacific Northwest style of lunch was something Prince George was missing, so there was a natural opportunity and the timing was right.”

Letchford has more than 20 years of experience in hospitality leadership and management, and he put all these into practice when he opened up Ritual Coffee Bar earlier this year.

“We spend a lot of time and energy on sourcing the best single-origin coffee, the most ethical way, from roasters in BC and Portland,” he says. “We keep both our coffee and food menus small so we can laser focus on quality, and we’re constantly looking at ways we can make our cups better, and our food offerings more local, more wholesome, and handmade.”

Breakfast and lunch offerings include a selection of toasts such as avocado or pulled pork, a superfood breakfast bowl, and a piquant salmon vindaloo tartine. Letchford also has a diploma in graphic design, so the aesthetic of the café is important.

“Our atmosphere is intentionally minimal, clean, and has tonnes of natural light, which is perfect for both gatherings and those who want to get work done,” he says. Those in a hurry can also call ahead to order takeout.

Letchford is keen for Ritual Coffee Bar to contribute to the community: Shopping local is a key tenet of the business. “We also work with other local businesses on fundraising initiatives and are always looking for more partners in this area,” he says. “We have a pay-it-forward campaign incoming for the holiday season too.”

Letchford is full of plans to develop the business further, though he’s not ready to share them yet. For now, he’s happy to welcome Prince George residents to what he says is the best coffee experience in town.

Ritual Coffee Bar is located at 101-1085 3rd Avenue, Prince George. Check out the menu at Ritualcoffeebar.com or call 236-423-1137 to pre-order food and drinks.

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By: Prince George Matters

GuidedBy is a community builder and part of the Glacier Media news network. This article originally appeared on a Glacier Media publication.