We Start November 15th, 2026

Nanaimo
Coffee & Conversation

Nanaimo is full of incredible people. This is your invitation to get matched with 10 of them for an interesting coffee and conversation. ☕

Community Progress

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🌱 Updated in real time🎯 Goal · 1,000 coffees

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10 matches · 10 coffee & conversations · $100

117+ locals joined the waitlist

The locals you could meet

Meet new people

Real neighbours, real stories, one coffee (or tea) at a time.

Robyn.CASSIDY/LADYSMITHOne-Line Story

Physician turned psychotherapist who loves to dance in beautiful, impractical shoes.

Barbara.QUALICUM BEACHOne-Line Story

Anthropology and art history professor who has studied societies worldwide, now painting.

Jason.NANAIMOOne-Line Story

Retro lover with a dark sense of humour, a record collection and two cats.

Sebastian.NANAIMOOne-Line Story

Retired Navy officer with an aerospace background, starting a new chapter by the ocean.

Sabrina.PARKSVILLEOne-Line Story

Nursing leader who came for a one-month vacation and stayed eight years.

Sylvie-Anne.CASSIDY/LADYSMITHOne-Line Story

Left the corporate world at 45 for freedom, a 5th wheel and a farm.

Mandy.NANAIMOOne-Line Story

Nanaimo lifer, professional door-opener and amateur chaos coordinator full of questions.

Alicia.NANAIMOOne-Line Story

Moved from Sweden to study, now runs her own boutique marketing firm.

Zoé.QUALICUM BEACHOne-Line Story

Line cook from France who travelled Canada in her car, then stayed.

Jocelynn.NANAIMOOne-Line Story

Teacher in training, youth support worker, artist and poet with UK dreams.

Ashley.QUALICUM BEACHOne-Line Story

Skateboarder, photographer and artist who traded the Yukon for the ocean.

Alina.NANAIMOOne-Line Story

Veterinarian drawn to the island's ocean after a year in Southeast Asia.

Russell.QUALICUM BEACHOne-Line Story

Former Albertan studying bookkeeping and putting down roots on the island.

Farrell.NANAIMOOne-Line Story

Navy navigator turned art therapist, happiest hiking, sailing or kayaking.

Soma.FRENCH CREEKOne-Line Story

Island Health recruiter who left Vancouver for a slower pace and speaks three languages.

Sherry.NANAIMOOne-Line Story

Farmer named after the wine, and like it, getting better with age.

(*) Everyone who said YES.

The places you could meet

Discover
local places

Fifteen cafés across Nanaimo, Parksville, Qualicum Beach, Coombs / Hilliers, French Creek and Nanoose Bay. You pick your favourites, and we match you with people who share them.

The Vault Café.NANAIMO
White Rabbit Coffee Co.NANAIMO
Brix & Mortar Socialhouse.NANAIMO
Koffeeology.NANAIMO
Regard Coffee Roasters.NANAIMO
French Press Coffee Roasters.PARKSVILLE
Café Floresta.PARKSVILLE
Eggie Cafe.PARKSVILLE
Serious Cafe.PARKSVILLE
French Press Coffee Roasters.QUALICUM BEACH
Courtyard Coffee.QUALICUM BEACH
L’îlette Café & Bakery.QUALICUM BEACH
Creekmore’s Coffee.COOMBS / HILLIERS
Café 356.FRENCH CREEK
Nanoose Bay Café.NANOOSE BAY
The Vault Café.NANAIMO
White Rabbit Coffee Co.NANAIMO
Brix & Mortar Socialhouse.NANAIMO
Koffeeology.NANAIMO
Regard Coffee Roasters.NANAIMO
French Press Coffee Roasters.PARKSVILLE
Café Floresta.PARKSVILLE
Eggie Cafe.PARKSVILLE
Serious Cafe.PARKSVILLE
French Press Coffee Roasters.QUALICUM BEACH
Courtyard Coffee.QUALICUM BEACH
L’îlette Café & Bakery.QUALICUM BEACH
Creekmore’s Coffee.COOMBS / HILLIERS
Café 356.FRENCH CREEK
Nanoose Bay Café.NANOOSE BAY

Good for you. Good for them.
Good for the Nanaimo.

Triple win.

More stories.A pharmaceutical project manager working in oncology. A wire sculptor who runs a cat kennel. A lavender maker who works the markets. Ten lives you’d never have heard otherwise.
More connection.Real conversations with people outside your usual circle, from every age and corner of Nanaimo.
More familiar faces.Wave at the market and get waved back. Nanaimo starts to feel smaller, in the best way.
More love for local.Try a café you’ve never visited. Bring someone to your favourite. Give a local business two more reasons to keep the kettle on.
More perspective.The same Nanaimo, through someone else’s eyes. Your own view gets a little wider.
More of Nanaimo’s story.What this place used to be. What brought you both here. What you hope comes next.

The experience

How does it work?

Five simple steps to meeting someone you might otherwise never meet.

1
Tell us a little about yourself
Share your interests, experiences and what you’d welcome from a new connection.
2
Get matched with someone new
Meet a good human and discover a little about their story before you connect.
3
Catch up for a Coffee (or tea)
Make time for a real conversation. Share your stories, ask questions and give each other space to be heard.
4
Take a moment to reflect
How did the conversation leave you feeling? Share what it meant to you through a few short questions.
5
Make connection a ritual
Keep making room for someone new. Ten good humans. Ten opportunities to see things differently.

9:41●●●

Tell us about you

Q1What do you do, and why do you do it?

Q2What could you talk about for hours?

QUESTION 3 OF 11

What kinds of people would you genuinely love to meet?

Humans are more than a checklist. Pick as many as resonate.

Surprise meBuilder / entrepreneurTradespersonFarmer or food growerCreative / artistTherapist or counsellorTeacherCoachSomeone in healthcareDeep thinkerCurious humanQuiet observerBig dreamerIntrovertExtrovertCommunity builderAdventurerLifelong learnerSomeone new to the Valley

+ 8 more questions

Next question

Your new matchCOFFEE #3

COMPLETE

Robyn.

CASSIDY/LADYSMITH

ONE-LINE STORY

Physician turned psychotherapist who loves to dance in beautiful, impractical shoes.

Schedule coffee

OCT15

Thursday · 10:00–11:00 amYou both said yes.

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☕ NANAIMO COFFEE & CONVERSATIONS2 locals met.8 more coffees and conversations to go. Tap a face to meet them.

2 / 10

My journey to 10 conversationssouthshorecoffees.world

Your reflectionCOFFEE #3 · ROBYN W.

1 How was it?

😕😐🙂😊🤩

2 What did you talk about?

Second careersOld thingsCumberlandFamily+ Add

3 What did you learn or notice?Twenty years in emergency rooms, and she still believes the best in locals.

4 Do you want us to match you again in the future?

Yes, pleaseMaybeNot right now

5 How long into the future?

1 month3 months6 months12 months

Send reflection

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In their own words

Why locals are saying YES

Real quotes from locals when we asked them why they joined.

“I'd like to meet some new people and feel more connected to my community. I think it's important to make the effort to get out, widen our social circles, and make new friendships, no matter what stage of life we're at. This seemed like a fun way to do that.”
Hilary S.
“That I might meet some new people I hadn't yet. Even though we've been here a long time, I still don't feel like I have many good friends, and I'd love if this opened the door to some new friendships.”
Tracy M.
“Curiosity, a desire to hear people's stories and connect.”
Suzanne R.
“really like the idea about connecting communities beyond their usual social circles”
Sebastian H.
“I have spent a lot of my career listening to people. I've loved my work and I do long for deeper conversations where I can share and hear my own story as well. I love meeting new people and this seems like a great chance to drink good coffee and take the long way home.”
Sally H.
“I have a rich life online with friends around the world but am looking for more local connections and this platform seems rather wholesome.”
Reia S.