Some people build cafes.
Thomas Eleizegui builds places you remember.
I met Thomas after Isetta Café Bistro opened its doors in one of the most iconic and unexpected locations in the city: a historic West Vancouver gas station. Arcade Station had long sat dormant, yet it carried a special energy—especially among car and bike enthusiasts, having once been Western Canada’s first to offer E85 fuel. For years, my cycling crew would ride past during our Horseshoe Bay mornings, watching its slow transformation. And then, one day, it opened.
What Thomas created at Isetta wasn’t just a coffee shop—it was heritage, machines, and community under one roof. It immediately felt like something the city had been missing. Later, I learned this wasn’t his first venture. Before Isetta, there was Musette—a cycling café rooted in the same love for movement, stories, and shared spaces.
Thomas is someone who doesn’t say much about himself, but his work says everything. He opens early for local riders. He makes room for strangers to connect. He brings his vision to life without asking for applause. And in doing so, he’s quietly built one of the most meaningful, community-rooted spaces in the city.
The Path to Purpose
Thomas didn’t set out to open a bistro. He just wanted to watch cycling races in peace.
“When I opened up Musette, it was really just so I could watch races. I’ve been in retail all my life and love talking to people. Each person has a story—and food and drinks bring people together.”
That small beginning, driven by passion, eventually led him to go all in.
“I either had to sign a real lease or pack it in. So I sold 75% of the company and moved into a new space with a business partner.”
The result? A new direction—and a new kind of café.
Built With Reps, Not Hype
Thomas’s story isn’t one of overnight success. It’s a series of risks taken when logic said otherwise.
“I had a lot of people who thought I was crazy opening in places where other businesses didn’t succeed. But I rarely look at what others are doing. As long as I can look in the mirror and know I’m following my path, that’s enough.”
He’s lost a lot through this journey. But what he’s gained—resilience, reputation, and relentless clarity—can’t be measured in likes or headlines.
“People don’t see the hard work behind the scenes—negotiating, talking to investors, the rejections, the tire kickers. But that’s where identity is really built.”
Quiet Work, Loud Impact
Now, Thomas is opening a new chapter: Amber & Celeste. One will be a listening lounge. The other, a gentler evolution of his first café, Musette.
He’s doing it all again, on a minimal budget, in spaces others would pass on. But that’s the point. It’s never been about what looks good on paper.
“This part of the journey, I’m doing it for me and my family. I’m not looking for recognition—I just want to keep building.”
When you meet Thomas, he doesn’t try to impress you. But when you walk into Isetta, you feel it. The stories, the music, the pace. It’s a reflection of someone who quietly gives everything to the people around him.
And in that way, he’s Plain to the core.
The Plain Pillars
Impact First
“Time. I gave up so much of my time that it’s my turn to get it back. In this business, you give up time to customers and your team. Use it wisely.”
Identity is Earned
“I don’t give up. Even though I lost things through the process, it doesn’t mean you stop if it doesn’t work.”
Small Bets, Big Ideas
“My first job at Mark James—I invested nothing but learned everything. I learned to network. To get to know the person in front of you. You just never know where you’ll cross paths again.”
The Middle of the Journey
Thomas is still in it. Still building. Still showing up at the café every day.
He defines progress not by accolades, but by bounce-backs.
“Learn from your mistakes and others. Progress is how you respond after a loss.”
And if he could whisper something to anyone starting their own thing?
“Follow your passion—but with a business mindset. Never rely on friends or family. Those are not your target customers.”
This is someone who’s earned every inch of ground he stands on. And in a world of noise, Thomas is one of the quietest powerhouses we know.
Follow Isetta Café Bistro: @isettacafebistro
Visit: 4360 Marine Drive, West Vancouver
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