MT Nest Cafe & Market offers humble and welcoming environment

MT Nest Cafe & Market is celebrating their one-year anniversary and co-owners Tony Russell and Michelle Benson are already blown away by the support they’ve received.

“There are some very popular cafes in and around the city, particularly downtown, the support from our friends and family and co workers...it’s been outstanding. We would just like to thank the community for helping us get up on our feet,” Russell said.

The first-year business led the way in Best of Medicine Hat 2024 voting for the category of coffee shop.

The MT Nest Cafe, located on SW Hill is a self described humble cafe with a neighbourhood feel that caters to their neighbours and community. They offer espresso based drinks, coffee and tea for morning or mid-day ‘pick me ups’ and food options for breakfast, lunch and on-the-go.

Russell says their desire to support local and providing a niche experience sets them apart and starts from the second anyone walks through the door.

“Michelle is the face of the business, she’s a real, kind, genuine person, she greets everyone with a how are you today?” Russell said. “Where we’re located, the kind of the branding behind us and then Michelle of course.”

They go beyond serving up a hot cup of Joe, with a market that is stocked with local vendors and their products. Russell says they are looking forward to reintroducing a patio out front which they used for five weeks at the end of fall but will be implementing full time.

“We’re really looking forward to utilizing our patio up front to a big degree,” Russell said. “We’re planning some Friday night cafe series type things with different local artists, wine and cheese board nights,

Jazz Fest will be in June. So that’s one thing I really want to stretch our legs out on this year.”

He says they’re also looking to expand the market side of their business and include more local vendors to showcase their art or craft.