How one Calgarian turned a passion for skiing and cycling into a unique cafe
Tucked away behind the gas station on 11th Avenue S.E., you’d be forgiven for missing one of Calgary’s newest cafe offerings on the scene.
Velet Bike Ski Cafe, a unique cafe and repair shop, showcases skiing, cycling and coffee culture under one roof, something that owner Hakan Kayabasi is passionate about.
Kayabasi told Dished he has a long history with skiing, having taken up the sport in his home country of Turkey when he was 11 years old and later moving to Nelson, B.C., to take part in a ski management program.
Charlie Hart/Dished
However, after a backcountry skiing accident, Kayabasi turned his attention to creating Velet Bike Ski Cafe, a cafe, bike, and ski repair shop wrapped up in one in the heart of Calgary.
Inside, Velet (which means “rascal” in Turkish) is a testament to Kayabasi’s passion, complete with decor including skis and racing bibs, as well as cozy couches to relax with a drink.
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The cafe offers all your usual coffee shop fare, from classic espresso drinks, matcha, chai lattes, and even some non-alcoholic beer options.
However, there are some more specialty beverages, including Turkish coffee, a much stronger alternative to espresso, which even comes with a piece of Turkish Delight. Guests can also try salep, a unique Turkish beverage made from orchid flour topped with cinnamon.
Charlie Hart/Dished
The cafe also serves up baked goods made by one of Kayabasi’s friends as part of this mission to support the local community.
For Kayabasi, the community is at the heart of the project, whether it’s skiers, cyclists, local artists, or Calgarians in general.
“I’m trying to make a community-friendly space for everyone,” he says.
Alongside the cafe operations, Kayabasi is also responsible for the repair shop side of the operations at Velet, where Calgarians can drop off their skis, snowboards and bikes for tune-ups.
So whether your gear needs a tune-up or you’re just after a caffeine boost, Velet is open for business.
Velet Bike Ski Cafe
Address: Back alley entrance, 206 11th Ave. S.E. #105, Calgary
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