Everyone is welcome at the Stingers Café grand opening in the Henry F. Hall Building
Stingers Café is offering an extensive selection of food and drink options tailored to students, staff and visitors alike.
Concordia University is gearing up for the grand opening of the Stingers Café, a new destination for coffee lovers and food enthusiasts on Sir George Williams Campus. Located on the fourth floor of the Henry F. Hall (H) Building, the café will officially launch with a two-day celebration on January 22 and 23, featuring exclusive deals, free tastings and plenty of surprises.
While the café has been quietly serving its signature Stingers Roast Coffee since November, the grand opening marks the arrival of its full menu and promises an event-filled introduction to this vibrant new space.
January 22: a day of perks
The first day of the grand opening is packed with activities and offers designed to create a buzz:
- Free drip coffee all day, inviting the community to enjoy a complimentary cup.
- Sampling of a Stingers Roast signature drink.
- Free tastings of the café’s wide range of menu items, available throughout the day.
- Games, prizes and giveaways at interactive tables, where attendees can learn about the café’s origins and enjoy free mini tasters.
- Loyalty cards distributed to start customers on their rewards journey.
January 23: more deals to enjoy
The festivities continue the second day with additional offers:
- A free fair-trade cookie with any coffee purchase — a sweet way to end the celebration.
- Sampling of a Stingers Roast signature drink.
- Double loyalty card punches, helping visitors earn rewards faster.
A taste of what Stingers Café offers
Concordia’s Food Services team envisioned the Stingers Café as more than just a coffee shop. It’s designed to be a vibrant culinary hub, offering an extensive selection of food and beverage options tailored to students, staff and visitors alike.
Inspired by community feedback from the 2023 Concordia Retail and Catering Food Services Report, the café offers food and beverage options to satisfy every taste:
- Hand-crafted sandwiches, hot entrées, pastries and daily soups made fresh and full of flavour.
- A selection of grab-and-go items, including salads, sandwiches, yogurt parfaits and fruit cups.
- A full range of fair-trade Stingers Roast Coffee, roasted locally by Brûleries Faro, available in classic and specialty forms like espressos, lattes and iced coffees.
Celebrating community and sustainability
The café’s vibrant atmosphere is enhanced by a mural that tells the story of a May 2023 origin trip to Nariño, Colombia. During this trip, three Concordia students visited coffee farms that supply beans for Stingers Roast Coffee, gaining a deeper appreciation for the work behind every cup.
“This trip was eye-opening,” says Aspen Murray, PhD student in geography, urban and environmental studies. “It showed us the immense labour and dedication involved in coffee production while strengthening our partnership with the farmers.”
Concordia Food Services proudly sources its beans from Manos de Mujeres, a collective of women-owned farms in Colombia that aims to address gender inequality in the coffee industry. By providing women with access to credit and fair-trade certification, these farms empower their communities and promote sustainability.
A leader in ethical sourcing
Stingers Roast Coffee is part of Concordia’s commitment to fair-trade practices, helping to make the university one of only four Silver-designated Fair Trade Campuses in Canada. Every cup of coffee purchased at the café supports fair wages, better working conditions and a brighter future for farmers and their families.
Don’t miss the grand opening of the Stingers Café on the fourth floor of the Henry F. Hall Building (1455 Blvd. de Maisonneuve West) on January 22 and 23.
