A pop-up coffee shop and caf茅 built with a stack of shipping containers near the beach at Royal Bay is a sign of what鈥檚 to come for one of the capital region鈥檚 largest urban 颅developments, says the mayor of Colwood.
Rob Martin said Sequoia 颅Coffee鈥檚 soft opening this week is just the start of a flood of new business activity in the 颅sprawling Royal Bay site.
He expects to announce a major grocery store next month and other potential businesses and office spaces early next year, adding to the millions in major projects already announced by Seaspan Shipyards, the Royal sa国际传媒 Museum and the school district, which is planning a new elementary school.
Sequoia Coffee, a partnership between Truffles Group and Sam Jones鈥� 2% Jazz Coffee, received a temporary-use permit for up to three years from Colwood 颅council to build the 颅coffee shop at 365 Latoria Blvd.
GableCraft Homes, one of the major developers at Royal Bay, built the caf茅 using three shipping containers 鈥� two units sitting parallel and the third perched on top 鈥� while its commercial village called Royal Bay Commons awaits construction.
Truffles spokesman Jeff Wright said Sequoia Coffee is designed as an outdoor enterprise with drive-through and walk-up windows and outdoor seating, serving coffees, lunches and snacks. 鈥淭he whole premise is convenience,鈥� he said. 鈥淎nd it鈥檚 COVID-friendly.鈥�
Sequoia opened its first location in the Royal sa国际传媒 Museum. Truffles Group is a Victoria-based company that also owns Cascadia Liquor stores, the Canoe Brew Pub and Butterfly Gardens.
Colwood Coun. Gordie Logan said the community wanted a coffee shop and gathering space, and Sequoia鈥檚 unique design makes it stand out.
鈥淵ou sure don鈥檛 see many coffee shops popping up in sea cans,鈥� said Logan. 鈥淲e liked this approach. It鈥檚 unique.
鈥淲e see it as a neighbourhood focal point, a safe gathering place. It鈥檚 been one of the things the community has been asking us to have.鈥�
Logan said Sequoia also 鈥渃hecks all the boxes鈥� as a local company that sources in the community, hires locally and serves a community need.
Wright said some kinks are still being worked out at the operation before an official opening this month.
About 5,000 new homes are planned for Royal Bay, a former gravel pit near the Metchosin border.
Colwood鈥檚 growing population of about 17,000 is predicted to reach 26,500 by 2038.
