Twenty-three years ago, Parminder Parhar opened the first Renaissance Coffee shop on Simon Fraser University’s Burnaby campus — a small kiosk in the northeast corner of the AQ.
It has since become a favourite place for students, faculty and staff to get their coffee and morning smile.
Parminder, his wife Kamaljit and their staff have made a memorable impact on the SFU community through their exceptional service. So many have experienced the warmth and kindness that comes when you visit, or even when you just walk by.
But these days, Renaissance Coffee has been hit hard by the COIVD-19 pandemic. Hours pass and not a single customer comes by — and this has led to a significant drop in revenue. Two locations have been closed, and nine staff have been laid off.
While we patiently await a full return to campus, the SFU community can come together to remind Parminder and Kamaljit that we have not forgotten them, their wonderful business, and their inspiring commitment to our community.
An amazing way to show them you care is by making a donation in their honour.
The Parhars are known as dedicated philanthropists. They started the Parminder and Kamaljit Parhar Endowment which supports students who excel in their academics and also contribute to their community.
When asked why he donates, Parminder simply says that he believes that it is the right thing to do — supporting students to get through their education and get their degree. His only wish is that, at the end of the day, the students that come to SFU also find a way to make their own contribution to benefit society.
Today, as you think about the money you would have spent visiting Renaissance, please consider making a donation of that amount to the Parminder and Kamaljit Parhar Endowment. Not only will you be supporting students, but you will be showing the Parhar family and their team that they are appreciated and valued. That the community they have been so loyal to, continues to thrive—even when we’re not there to show them in-person.
As Parminder always says, “One day, I will be gone, but this endowment will create a spirit of community that will last forever… I’m a little coffee guy - I’m not somebody who is super-rich or something like that. If I can do it, somebody else can do it too.”
- Story contributed by SFU
