The beginnings
ZAB
While he works in the restaurant and café industry
For several years, it was in 2013 that Edwin had the idea of becoming a coffee roaster. This idea was born from the desire for a greater supply of specialty coffee roasted here in Quebec - which led to the creation of Zab, named in honor of his mother, Elizabeth.
Edwin's passion for coffee developed while working in Montreal's hospitality industry, where he noticed a lack of local options for specialty coffee. In February 2016, after earning his coffee roasting certification at Coffee Lab International in Vermont, he returned to Montreal and focused his efforts on a long series of roasting tests. The first Zab coffee shop opened in August 2016. For the first year, Edwin was the sole employee—with invaluable help from his girlfriend, Cynthia. In 2017, the first employee, Marc-Étienne, was hired. Still part of our team today, he now works as a full-time graphic designer.
From Montreal to Gaspé
ZAB + PAQ
One of Zab's first partners was the Paquebot café on Bélanger Street. Through their interactions with the two founders, Samuel and Simon-Louis, the three became friends. The shared vision and values of the three entrepreneurs led to the merger of their businesses in 2017. They then opened a second Paquebot in the former Café Plume location on Mont-Royal Avenue.
In 2018, the third Paquebot opened its doors in Old Montreal. In 2020, the team opened a small space at the corner of Saint-Denis and Bellechasse, intended to serve as a training center and office. This space became ZAB Café in the spring of 2021. At the end of summer 2021, the fourth Paquebot opened in Gaspé. Zab's continued growth led to the creation of a new roasting facility in Parc Extension in 2022, which also became a coffee lab and training center.
Focus on ZAB
Change of direction
In 2025, Samuel, Simon-Louis and Edwin chose to spend the
torch of the Paquebot cafés of Montreal to devote himself to Zab and Cafélimo.
Their dearest wish? That the ship remains in good hands. And it is
exactly what happened: the project was entrusted to Mathieu and Yannick,
two lifelong allies, invested from the beginning and loved with love.
Today, the liner changes captains, but the adventure
continues in the same direction.
Caffeine positive
Straight ahead
Our passion for great coffee and our commitment to quality remain at the heart of everything we do. We believe in using our platform to promote progress and equality. We were named Roaster of the Year in 2017, 2018, and 2019, and Established Coffee Roaster of the Year in 2020, 2022, and 2024 at the Th3rdwave Awards. Through initiatives such as "Hand in Hand" and "Back to the Origin," we engage with our community and support causes that are important to us.
