Young people leaving the Maritimes in search of work is an all-too-familiar story. But for Heather and Alex Stephen, it’s the complete opposite.
The couple originally from Edmonton and Toronto is in the process of opening a brand new espresso bar in Lower Sackville, N.S.
“We love Lower Sackville. When we moved to the Maritimes, to Nova Scotia, we saw Lower Sackville on the map, we found a house that we liked and we said, ‘This works,” says Heather.
The pair says opening the café has been a dream of theirs for the past four years.
“It felt like the East Coast lifestyle was calling us,” says Alex. “It’s easy living and great people.”
Heather, 33, is a former sprinter and brakeman for the Canadian bobsleigh team. Alex, 37, is the lead singer in a local band and played basketball for St. Francis Xavier University.
Now, they’re entrepreneurs.
“We either figure it out or nobody figures it out,” says Alex.
Plans are in place to create a community built around coffee. The café will become Apartment 3 Espresso Bar, named after their Toronto apartment.
“We used to a have these good conversations and dream about what the future would be like, and... we want to create a space for the community to do the same. To connect, to meet, to dream,” says Alex.
Heather says even though their problem solving procedures are extremely different, they’re still able to work together well.
“I’m a sprinter, so I like things done fast,” says Heather. “But (Alex) is more chill. Maybe it’s the Trinidadian blood in him.”
There may still be some holes to fill and loose ends to tidy up, but with an opening day of April 7, their dream is coming into focus.
With files from CTV Atlantic’s Kelly Linehan.
