Beyond Bread Ltd

Everyone says hi to Jim Tai.

“See you later, James.”

“Thanks Jim, see you again next time.”

Jim, the manager of Beyond Bread Artisan Bakery & Cafe, is an affable personality so obviously beloved by his customers and staff. Wearing a casual T-shirt, worn-in jeans and military cap, he works the room with ease, offering guests an expertly prepared espresso drink while they wait. There’s warmth to the small, bright space that seats just 20 people at most.

The customers are all regulars, or referrals of loyal fans. Everything at the bakery is made with care and integrity, which is why customers travel from across Vancouver to secure a loaf of country bread or to while away a lunch hour with a latté and an apple and Brie sandwich.

The bread’s good reputation is growing as Beyond Bread establishes partnerships from local restaurant heavyweights such as The Farmer’s Apprentice. And Jim takes great care with those relationships: “Any business is about the relationships that you create,” he declares.

Beyond Bread aims to source “really good” organic ingredients from small suppliers: “We do our best to work with small companies because the relationships have a bigger positive impact on both of us.” Any bread that isn’t sold — and that isn’t much — is sent back to the farms they work with to feed livestock.