With residents moving in and a new seniors rental apartment under construction in Montrose Square, businesses are starting to open up in a new development near the Port Coquitlam Community Centre.
Open now is Sunfire Pizzeria, a family-owned pizza shop serving up 31 varieties of meat and vegetarian pizza.
It's a tiny place, located at 4120-2180 Kelly Ave., where you can pick up a slice or whole pie to take home to the family.
Owner Rishu Khamb said she opened up Sunfire two weeks ago with the help of her cousin Jatin Jagia.
"We wanted to open up a shop that's not just about the food," said Jagia, noting that Sunfire also wants to be a part of the community.
There's no question that Sunfire is in a great place to do just that, located as it is on the Terry Fox Hometown Square and just steps away from the Port Coquitlam Community Centre, where you'll find parking in the massive 425-stall underground parking garage located off Mary Hill Road.
What makes these pizzas so tasty is the crust, which is crispy without being dry, and the ingredients are fresh.
The Bianco Pie, a tasty mix of virgin olive oil, four different cheeses, basil and grape tomatoes is flavourful.
Sunfire also offers two dipping sauces, including garlic ranch and honey sriracha, which are made on location.
Café offering gluten-free brownies, scones opening soon
Also set to open soon is Caffé Delish, a new place to check out for gluten-free pastries.
Owner Jenna Fidanza already owns the popular Delish Gluten-free bakery at 203-l730 Coast Meridian Rd., and decided to expand to a café so more people can enjoy the treats they love, such as bars, brownies and scones, which are gluten-free.
Fidanza's love for baking started at a young age and, as she grew and gained experience, she eventually started baking products of her own.
She sought out ways to help her grandmother find better alternatives for her condition — hence the focus on gluten-free.
The new café is set to open at Montrose Square at the end of May. Check out their Instagram page for udpates.
At Caffé Delish, customers will be able to sit in comfort in an Italian-style café that features the bakery’s most popular items, including salted caramel brownies, vegan quinoa fudge bars, muffins, scones and cinnamon buns, as well as homemade soups and salads, breakfast wraps, Italian sodas, and, of course, coffee.
Another business that recently opened up is ILU's Convenience Store.
Owner Sukh Duggal is just 22 years old but has been working for years with his father, who previously owned a convenience store in Vancouver.
Duggal told the Tri-City News he found that there's huge interest in imported snacks you can't get anywhere else.
Rare and exotic snacks imported from the U.S.
Among the rare and exotic treats you can find at ILU's Convenience is Crush pop flavours imported from the U.S., such as pineapple, as well as Dunkaroos, Fruit Loop Gummies, Pepsi Nitro and Wendy's Frosty Cereal.
Duggal said he started his ILU'S Convenience with Instagram, and now has a brick and mortar business at Montrose Square, where he hopes to lure customers among the many youth and families who visit the Port Coquitlam Community Centre for hockey, lacrosse, skating and swimming.
"You can’t find this in our community stores," said Duggal, who has his criminology degree but wanted to try being a business owner before working towards becoming a police officer.
His goal is to give back to the community and he said he plans on supporting local sports teams.
Concession offers burgers and beer while watching hockey game
Meanwhile, for those who are looking forward to a sit down dining experience, the new 56-unit seniors rental building at 2430 Mary Hill Rd. next to Montrose Square will also house a 40-seat restaurant.
