Galileo Coffee Company - A Local Favourite

This local roastery/café is a favourite among many who travel the Sea to Sky Highway, and we recently had a chance to catch up with co-founder and co-owner, Cara Barth, to find out why. This is what she had to say:

1. How long have you been roasting coffee for and what inspired you to start Galileo Coffee Co.?

Galileo Coffee opened in October 2005 in Britannia as a small batch roastery and café. Prior to that Lance (McClure) roasted in Eastern Washington. He has been roasting for 14 years. I (Cara Barth) left my job in the Internet travel industry to pursue this endeavor.

We needed (non-compete) and wanted to venture out of Washington. When we began our search it was in the US, after a pleasure visit to BC we realized there was a burgeoning specialty coffee market and decided to check out the reality of moving and starting a business. So much was changing in the corridor at the time and we serendipitously found our Britannia cafe online and came up for a view and that was it. We had already chosen copper bags for our beans. Britannia was a copper mine town.

2. What sets you apart from other coffee roasters in the area?

EXPERIENCE! Lance is one of the most knowledgeable people in BC regarding coffee and roasting. I believe we have helped transform the corridors coffee palate. From quick drip drinkers to quality specialty drink aficionados. We are passionate about what goes into our coffee and sharing it. Our tag line is 'Truth in Coffee" and we want people to understand the complexity of coffee is similar to wine or beer. So you don't have to drink swill when there are options.

3. Why did you choose to operate out of Britannia?

LOCATION, LOCATION, LOCATION! So many things came together there. The coffee house, price, access, view, and of course the people. It hasn't been easy or cheap, but Lance, my crew and I have put in a lot of hard work to be open, consistent and part of the corridor community.

4. Finally, what are you most excited for with the opening of the Sea to Sky Gondola?

As avid outdoors persons we are very excited about the exposure to the new backcountry trails. And sitting drinking a Howe Sound Brewing beer as the sun goes down doesn't hurt.