As soon as one walks into Alegria Cafe & Giftware, the aroma of fresh baked goods and brewed organic coffee wafts in the air. Although it’s late afternoon, the small, cozy café on 1st Avenue in Steveston is buzzing with chatter and laughter — friends enjoying a latte together, a couple of young moms with babies in tow sharing advice and an elderly couple reading the newspaper together. It’s a scene right out of a Norman Rockwell painting.
That’s exactly what proprietor Narbada Langham envisioned when she took over the popular neighbourhood eatery in 2007. “When someone walks through that door, I want them to feel like they are in my home,” she says. Alegria, a self-serve health-conscious bistro, is decked out with an eclectic mix of giftware and art. With its pumpkin-coloured walls adorned with artwork from local artists, and pine chairs painted with scenes of sun, surf and beach, the intimate South American-inspired cafe exudes warmth. A number of patrons sit at the coffee bar, which runs the length of the bright front window. There is even a small play area for kids so that local moms and dads can enjoy coffee and a visit.
