I could imagine their business plan:

“OK, we’ve got amazing third-wave coffee.”

“Yeah, there’s a lot of that already in Montreal.”

“We focused on micr0-lots from farms around the world.”

“True.” (pause)

“We’re in Old Montreal… The rents are high… Space is at a premium.”

“Yup…”

“What if we sold amazing third-wave coffee in the smallest space possible?”

“Tell me more …”

“…We’d save on rent and we could spend it on quality beverages, … and on decorating fees, I imagine.”

“We’ve got a plan!”

“Wait… What do we call our café?”

“Duh”

And Micro Espresso was born!

Tucked in a century’s old building just up the block from the well-loved Olive et Gourmando (where the line-ups are enough to dissuade me), is some very tasty coffee, served by some very dedicated lovers of the bean. Their coffees are roasted locally with a focus on classic espressos and micro-lot, single origins. They also run a coffee-ordering business.

I really recommend their cortado, where the rich, chocolatey espresso meets a dose of milk in a really satisfying combination. It might be my favourite cortado in the city. I often grab a cup and sit at the tiny bar, or stroll through the streets in the old city.

I have no idea if my fictionalized account of their business plan is anywhere near the truth, by the way…