Purple Perk Coffee Market

If you've ever been for a stroll down the popular Mission neighbourhood of Calgary, there's a good chance you've popped into Purple Perk Coffee Market. The coffee shop has been a staple in the community for years, frequented by residents who return for a fresh pot of coffee and perhaps a few jokes from owner Paul Overholt. “I don’t know why I opened this place,” Paul laughs. “I ask myself that every day. I guess I enjoyed my morning coffee breaks and thought I would turn it into a full-time career.” There's a reason why Purple Perk Coffee Market has been Mission's favourite (and tastiest) no-frills café since October 2005 – the coffee is hot and the plates are heaping.

When Purple Perk first opened, people only knew it based on the smell of the organic, Rainforest Alliance certified coffee – the name wasn't obviously apparent. “I was so embarrassed of the name that I didn’t put it on the front of the building for a year,” Paul says. He wanted to call his café The Perk, but was beat out by 13 others in Alberta. Under pressure from his lawyer to decide while simultaneously talking on two phones, Paul was struck with inspiration. His contractor insisted they open for Calgary's Lilac Festival and it hit Paul – lilacs are purple. “Purple Perk. Then a click on the other end of the phone from my lawyer.” Paul hung only a small sign inside while he warmed up to the name.