The familiar, rich aroma of roasting coffee that has defined a stretch of Saskatoon's Eighth Street for over two decades is about to fade. Broadway Roastery, a family-run institution for 32 years, will serve its last cup on February 25, marking the end of an era for the city's coffee culture.
A Family Legacy Comes to a Close
Owner Aileen Barilla, who started the business with her husband Vince at the original Broadway location, confirmed the closure with mixed emotions. "It's been 32 years, and I'm ready... To semi-retire, retire, try something new," Barilla stated. The decision follows the 2024 closure of their namesake Broadway Avenue shop, now the Five Corners Cafe, leaving the Eighth Street location as their final outpost.
The tropical-themed cafe, notable for its commercial-sized roaster at the shop's heart, has been a fixture since 2000. Barilla cited a combination of factors for the timing: a good opportunity to exit, lasting shifts in business since the pandemic, and rising import costs for the pale green coffee beans essential to their roasting operation. She has also recently sold the Eighth Street building.
Pandemic Shifts and Loyal Patrons
Like many businesses, Broadway Roastery felt a permanent change after COVID-19. "We have not been the same since then. But I think, fair to say, everyone says the same thing," Barilla admitted. Despite the challenges, the roastery maintained a deeply loyal customer base. "We have a lot of customers that come in once, twice, three times a day," she said. "They like their coffee, and it's their routine."
One such regular, Darren Anderson, who runs a marketing company, called the shop his "second office for 20 years," praising its unique atmosphere and staff as the perfect spot for client meetings.
Looking Ahead: A Downsized Future Venture
While the current chapter is ending, the story may not be over. The Barilla family is actively considering a downsized operation for the future. "We would like to get something out of this venture we've been doing for 32 years," Barilla explained, hinting at a potential smaller-scale project that would carry on the family's roasting legacy.
Reflecting on the roastery's long run, which also included past locations on Millar Avenue and Gray Avenue, Barilla credits her employees and customers for its success. She also believes the business rode the wave of Saskatoon's growing coffee culture at just the right time. "We did get on the bandwagon just at the right time," she remarked during a busy January weekday at the shop.
The operation, which offered more than 20 in-house coffee blends sourced from the Americas, Africa, and Asia, faced the same industry pressures affecting many: tariffs, drought, and disease driving up bean costs. As the final batch of beans approaches its roast date, Saskatoon prepares to say goodbye to a beloved community hub where the coffee was always fresh and the welcome was warm.
