Restaurant closures in Iqaluit tea up new caf for success

He thought about opening a restaurant or a ramen bar, but Joseph Szakacs settled on starting a caf after taking careful stock of Iqaluit's food scene.

Szakacs won't be buying a deep fryer, butan espresso machine.

The Black Heart Caf will open in early March on Federal Road, building 1405.

"This is a much needed place in our community," Szakacssaid. "There's a bit of a void in the market right now, for a standalone caf business. We want to bring forward a unique and exceptional coffee experience, something you'd be able to get anywhere else in the world."

In the past year,Baffin Deli, the PlateauCaf, and theWaters' Edge Seafood and Steakhouse, Kickin' Caribou Puball closed.

"I think that created a really good opportunity for us,"Szakacssaid.

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He wantsto provide healthy breakfast and lunch options, including pastries,sandwiches on house-made bread, soups and salads.

"Really hearty, comfort, friendly food, easy to approach, not too complicated, but things you can come back to and have consistency," he said.

A 'lifelong dream'

Szakacsmoved to Iqaluit seven years ago to work as a chef at the Frobisher Inn. Since then, he's spent time with Waters' Edge, the Qayuqtuvik Food Centre and Nunavut Tourism.

Owning a restaurant has been a "lifelong dream"and he started the process to get the Black Heart running about a year ago in September he rented the current space and began converting it from offices.

Szakacssaid the biggest hurdlewas the back and forth with the City of Iqaluit over waterit takes a lot of water to brew coffeeandthe city wanted to ensure thecaf'swater consumption was well-managed.

There's a full kitchen, which hehopes willallow him to offercatering. Hewants the caf to be used as avenue for everything from corporate events to birthdays parties.

The caf will have seating for 45 people, local art for sale will hang on the yellow walls, and there will be a corner with kids' toys.

The caf won't sell alcohol but Szakacs said he eventually wants to experiment with keeping it open into the evening as an alternative tobars and restaurants.FreeWi-Fiisn't coming anytime soon either, butSzakacssays it will be something he'll work toward.

The nameBlack Heartcomes from the idea that coffee is black and the bean is removed from the red cherry "heart" of the plant. It's also a nod to his passion for coffee, Szakacs said.

The caf is now in its final steps before opening its doors.He's thinking of opening hoursfrom around 6 a.m. to 6 p.m., seven days a week.

Once the fire marshaldoes a final inspection,Szakacs will start looking forlocal hires.

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