Demo Graphic has proudly called the Gastown area home for a decade. Principals Sharon Martyniuk and Dylan Staniul literally lived, worked and played there during much of that time and experienced its transformation from tourist trap into Vancouver’s most dynamic neighbourhood. Gastown is now home to many of the city’s best restaurants, bars, clubs and boutiques—so why not the city’s best coffee shop?

Now it is. No doubt, Gastown had coffee before, but Milano Coffee’s new location at 36 Powell Street raises Gastown’s coffee game up to the level of it’s other gastronomic offerings. Milano Coffee brings it’s prized traditional Italian recipes and innovative blends to a neighbourhood where people appreciate the new and old mixed together.

With multiple espresso’s to try ‘on tap’ each day there’s an impressive array of styles and flavours to experience. So what the Alibi Room has done for beer, or what Boneta has done for dining, Milano does for coffee.

Raw concrete, gleaming stainless, graphics including bold typography, and backlit photography fit the neighbourhood’s aesthetic. Gastown is all about independent businesses, so clientele expect an obvious sense of style, but aren’t appreciative of branding that’s in your face. A few loose ends are ok and, perhaps, even preferred.