Saintuary is the newest addition to cafe culture in the Exchange District, and it shines as a gathering place, creative hub, and reflection of the community around it. Some coffee shops cater to quick stops, but Saintuary invites you to stay a while. Part café, part bar, part art gallery, and part event space, it’s a place where possibilities unfold. At the heart of it all is entrepreneur Scott Ramos. To understand Saintuary is to understand Scott’s journey — one fueled by creativity, connection, and a deep love for bringing people together.
For Scott, entrepreneurship has always been second nature. His entrepreneurial journey started at twelve when he began cutting hair for his friends and family. In high school, that passion landed him a gig in a barbershop, where he immersed himself in the culture. He studied the craft at Winnipeg Tech (now MITT) before moving to barber at Berns and Black (now Community Gym) at just nineteen. The shop’s owner, Kitty, became a mentor, helping him navigate the industry. Over the years, Scott built a name for himself, first through Instagram, where he connected with Filipino barbers around the world, and then by working in cities like Montreal, LA, and San Francisco. By the time he returned to Winnipeg, he had a vision: a barbershop of his own.
The Exchange District feels like home to Scott, who opened the first iteration of his barbershop, Saint, on Albert Street. It started as a single chair in his friend’s store, eventually leading Scott to take over the lease and build a team and a community. When COVID hit, Saint reluctantly closed their doors, and Scott thought that perhaps his time as a business owner was over. He planned to open a small studio space for cutting hair and creating art, but the universe had other plans.
Scott’s landlord and now business partner, Bryce, approached him about a new space for Saint on Waterfront, and when he saw it, Scott knew that it was special. He doubled down, moving locations, redesigning the shop with intention, and creating a permanent space that felt true to him. It wasn’t long before another opportunity arose, this time for a space that would take his creative ideas and ability to connect people to the next level. “This is happening for me, and not to me, and it’s an opportunity I can’t say no to,” thought Scott when Bryce first showed him the space that is now Saintuary Cafe. Scott felt connected to it immediately and knew it was an opportunity to create the community hub of his dreams. He partnered with Bryce and Anu Sidhu, working hard to bring their idea to life.
Saintuary is inspired by the concept of sanctuary. Scott aspired to build a space where people can gather, create, and feel like they belong. His brother once asked him what “home” meant to him, and Scott’s answer, “Home is you,” became the foundation of Saintuary’s philosophy. “This space is for everyone,” shares Scott, who wants the community to utilize it to make their own dreams come true.
Everything about Saintuary is designed to be welcoming. Its industrial yet modern interior features eye-catching iridescent walls, a design inspired by a pencil case Scott’s sister once gave him. A large cube lightbox, representing a home, hangs in the space, and the big, bright windows invite people in. The design was brought to life with help from ATLRG architecture, Alston properties, Brenton construction, and Alai studios. Small and colourful tchotchkes fill the space, most created by staff or donated by friends.
The cafe menu, created by Chef Eejay Chua (of former Bahay Kubo), reflects Scott’s journey and the people who have helped him along the way. Many dishes have personal significance, like the open-faced smoked meat sandwich, a nod to his late father. Dishes like a Greek salad and burrata bring freshness to the menu, while local partnerships bring the best of Winnipeg. Pastries from La Belle Baguette, gluten-free bread from Cocoa Bean, and coffee from Mas make for a menu that’s as much about community as it is about quality. A partnership with Fabio of DeLucas gave Scott and his team training on the ins and outs of coffee and an avenue to purchase high-quality machines. Saintuary is also gearing up to serve cocktails, with a mixologist from Toronto helping craft a signature drink menu. Until then, the cafe is a perfect spot to sit down with matcha sourced from Japan or mango overnight oats made with popping mango boba.
“I have a lot of people to thank. This city for raising me, my friends and family, the entrepreneurs around me that I was able to learn from, everyone who has sat in my barber chair, everyone who has helped me on this journey, and my incredible staff.”
Beyond coffee and food, Saintuary is an event space built for the community. It has hosted paint nights, Latin dance classes, poetry readings, and art shows in its first months open. Plus, there’s more to come. Scott is excited to launch Saintuary Sounds, a new event series featuring DJ sets, pop-up clothing collections, and art collaborations. The possibilities for the space are endless, bound only by the limits of imagination. Scott hopes for more partnerships in the future, knowing his space is a blank canvas ready for creativity and connection. The goal is to make Saintuary a mecca for community and culture.
Community is the common thread in Scott’s journey, weaving together every chapter of his life. Through it all, he feels that Winnipeg is home and his community is family, and he credits his success to the people and places that have supported him along the way. “I have a lot of people to thank. This city for raising me, my friends and family, the entrepreneurs around me that I was able to learn from, everyone who has sat in my barber chair, everyone who has helped me on this journey, and my incredible staff,” he shares. The Exchange District, in particular, holds a special place in his heart. It’s where he grew up, gaining experience and building connections; now, it’s home.
It’s clear that Scott’s legacy is built on more than business. It’s a mosaic of the people, places, and experiences that have shaped him. Saintuary is his way of giving back and creating a space where others can find the inspiration, connection, and community that has driven him.
If you haven’t stopped by yet, consider this your invitation. Whether you’re looking for a great cup of coffee, locally designed clothing, a cozy place to work, or a venue for your next event, Saintuary is waiting for you.
Visit Saintuary at 100-123 James Ave in the Exchange District.
Website: https://saintuary.com/
Instagram: @saintuary.ca