There was something a bit incongruous about seeing a team of tattooed, pierced, plaid-clad hipster-types serving coffee to a sea of suits in the PATH today, but the scene had something else going for it: it was endearing. The Financial District workers who lined up at the new Sam James Coffee Bar were clearly familiar with the brand, and were clearly ravenous for some non-run-of-the-mill coffee.

Espresso guru Sam James opened the third incarnation of his coffee mini-chain in the PATH this morning. The new location is reminiscent of Bloor Street’s Sam James Coffee Pocket, with the same bare-bones ethos, but it’s set up with two customized La Marzocco Linea espresso machines that are just like the one at James’ original location on Clinton Street (that particular model is James’ favourite).

Prices are a touch higher at the new coffee bar to compensate for higher operating costs (an espresso is $2.62, plus tax), but customers still get $0.25 off for bringing in their own drinking receptacles. Pastries are from Yonge Street’s Delica Kitchen — as they are at all Sam James locations now — and a selection of sandwiches is on the way, too.

Indie cafés that put the emphasis on quality over quantity have been popping up all over the city, but the Financial District has remained relatively untouched (the closest to open up near the area was Dark Horse Espresso Bar in the Entertainment District).

Clearly, James thinks there’s a solid market for craft coffee downtown: he’s set up right between a Tim Hortons and a Starbucks. He hasn’t gotten any weird, half-skinny-Frappucino-esque requests yet, but as of this morning he had met a sizeable contingent of suited customers who were regulars from the other shops. And as for the obligatory debate about selling out to the man? He addressed those concerns here.

Published: Jun 4, 2012