Bringing Middle Eastern Coffee Culture to Canada with Anas Alsaid

On today’s episode of Local Bites we’re talking to Anaz, the co-owner of Pistachio, a coffee shop in Vancouver. Anaz talks about where Pistachio gets its Mediterranean influence, how the coffee shop is bringing Middle Eastern coffee culture to Canada, and what it’s like opening a cafe with a friend. Learn more about Pistachio on their website, https://pistachiovancouver.ca/ , or follow them on Instagram @pistachiovancouver

[00:00] Show intro

[00:38] Welcome to Anaz

[00:47] What Anaz was doing before Pistachio

[02:08] What drove Anaz into opening a coffee shop?

[04:46] Where does the passion come from?

[06:52] Risk vs. reward balance

[09:12] The process of opening

[12:34] Why make Pistachio a Mediterranean coffee shop?

[15:02] The first two months of a coffee shop

[18:17] Middle East and Vancouver coffee shops and culture

[22:42] How Anaz is bringing in the social coffee culture

[25:19] Helping the Syrian refugee community in Canada

[28:52] How does the Vancouver community fit into Pistachio?

[30:50] Pros and cons of running a business with your best friend

[33:31] A piece of advice for someone starting a coffee shop

[35:52] Where to find out more about Pistachio

[36:15] Close out