New café in Sackville blends culture, design, and study space
A new café has opened in downtown Sackville, offering students and residents a quiet place to study, sit, or spend time alone – there are also tables for groups.
Tambayan Café soft-launched its Sackville location on December 18, becoming the business’s second café in less than a year. The first location opened in Riverview last spring.
Hear the story below:
Owner Mary Anne Catipon says the Sackville café was designed with both local students and community in mind, particularly those at Mount Allison University.
“We thought we can give some options for especially Mount A students, that they can have their own little tiny space where they can have a go-to place to study and have their me time.”
She explained that the café’s name reflects that intention.
“Tambayan is a Tagalog word for hangout… it’s a Filipino word because I’m from the Philippines.”
Designed differently from Riverview
The Sackville café looks and feels different from Tambayan’s Riverview location. While the Riverview space is open-concept, the Sackville café includes semi-private nooks built directly into the walls.
“The Riverview location is more an open space, it’s all white and black. Here the main base color is black and the white is the secondary colour and it doesn’t have any private space there.”
Catipon wanted a more personal touch in Sackville and took on much of the creative work herself.
“I’m not actually an artist, but I tried my best. I wanted something that I myself originally did and created.”
She also had the café’s study nooks custom-built, despite some hesitation from contractors.
“They were like, are you sure? Not all restaurant have these nooks that close… and I said, yes.”
Early response and word of mouth
Catipon said she was nervous opening during Mount Allison’s winter break but described the café’s early weeks as steady.
“We had a great start because we have some elders coming… and I would say we have a pretty steady and good sales. Day by day it’s growing because of the students.”
She added that customers have been coming from outside Sackville, often discovering the café through social media.
“They were like, I saw you on Facebook, I saw you on Instagram, TikTok, maybe it’s word of mouth.”
Day by day growth – literally
Sadie Shelley, a fourth-year Mount Allison student, returned to Tambayan Café less than 24 hours after her first visit.
“I came literally yesterday with my friend. I saw this soft launch on Instagram. This is my second time.”
Pedro Santana, also a fourth-year Mount Allison student, had been to the Riverview location before and welcomed the new café.
“It’s a university town. The more cafes the better.”
What’s next
Catipon said the café plans to hold a formal grand opening once custom packaging arrives.
“We’re just waiting for our customized packaging, once we receive those packaging, we will do our grand opening.”
The packaging was designed specifically for students.
“It’s like a soda can when you ask for it to go. It’s spill proof.”
Tambayan Café is now open in downtown Sackville. Learn more at www.tambayancafe.com
Clinton Davis is a community journalist and audio producer covering the people, events, and ideas shaping the Tantramar region.
