Inside Calgary's newest specialty coffee shop where hospitality is key
With a host of exceptional coffee roasters and coffee shops within reach, Calgary has firmly cemented itself as a leading city for coffee culture in Canada.
Passion and dedication to the coffee craft are exactly what led to the expansion of the popular Calgary roaster and shop, Sought x Found, which opened its second location in the city.
Sought x Found was first brought to life in Crescent Heights by co-owners Caleb and Kitty Leung. Caleb was working as a social worker, and after leaving the field, he decided to turn his hand to coffee, something he had always been passionate about. But he tells Dished that running a business was never part of the plan.
“We didn’t learn about business. That’s the only thing we didn’t learn about, which is the most crucial thing. We learned by trial and error,” he explains.
However, as someone who loves to solve problems and has a background in mechanical engineering, Kitty was on hand to help in any way possible to make Caleb’s dream a reality.
The location opened in 2017, gradually building up a dedicated community of locals and coffee enthusiasts who were just as passionate as Caleb and Kitty. While the initial lease was only for a year in Crescent Heights, Sought x Found is now in its ninth year.
As a way to showcase the brand within the Canadian coffee community, Kitty started taking part in barista competitions, something that was well out of her comfort zone.
View this post on Instagram
“I’m not an athlete. I didn’t grow up competing, but it’s another world. You have to have discipline, you have to manage a lot of focus, and you have to actually practice,” she says.
The hard work and perseverance paid off, as Kitty went on to place third in the Western Canadian National Barista Championship in 2022. As well as building professional relationships, Kitty said her reasons for competing were rooted in family, especially her daughter.
“I wanted her to grow up with parents who are not afraid of failures,” she explains.
Inside Sought x Found
Charlie Hart/Dished
In December, Sought x Found’s second Calgary location finally opened, just under the Two Park Central building in Calgary’s Beltline.
With huge windows that let the light stream in, a minimalist design, and plenty of seating with a raised platform on one side, the space lends itself to settling in for the afternoon with a great coffee and watching the world go by.
Part of Sought x Found’s ethos is to bring coffee into the conversation when talking about the hospitality sector, and this is a major focus at its new location too.
“Coffee shops have a very unique presence in the whole hospitality scene. A lot of people drink coffee, but few people would say that they enjoy coffee. It’s a bit more of a necessity, rather than a luxury to enjoy. We wanted your daily necessity to be a pleasurable experience,” Caleb says.
Rather than a traditional counter, guests are greeted by what feels like a concierge table, where knowledgeable employees are able to walk customers through the menu. Part of this process is letting customers lead the way and meeting them where they are.
“We try to explore what people think about coffee, what people like, what their preferences are, and then try to match it with what we have,” he adds.
“If they like it, if they want to learn more about it, then we can start the conversation about where all this comes from, where and why.”
Charlie Hart/Dished
While Sought x Found is definitely for those who are passionate about learning about coffee, its origins or different brewing methods, the menu is also designed with everyday coffee drinkers in mind. It’s just as easy to grab a coffee flight as it is to enjoy a cup on the go.
The space also has plenty of quality decaf coffees, teas, and baked goods to enjoy.
Whether you’re looking to broaden your coffee horizons or just take a little time out of your day, Sought x Found is well worth the visit.
Sought x Found – Beltline
Address: 1107 4th St. SW, Calgary
Still hungry? Discover Dished Calgary on TikTok