Photo by Anni Becker

Even though he was on his honeymoon, Zachary Gray found a new love: Italian coffee. “I discovered specialty coffees in Florence, Italy,” said Gray referring to his five week stay, “and decided to get into coffee.”

Gray’s mind got brewing and in October of 2009, at the age of 27, he opened Paper Tiger Coffee Roasters on the corner of Vancouver’s Grand and Evergreen Blvds.

“Coffee,” said Gray, “isn’t a job, it’s a career for me; it’s a way of life.”

And so Paper Tiger roasts, grinds and prepares coffee Italian-style. According to Gray, they use a recently rediscovered method which was popular in the 1840s. A “third wave brewer” using the siphon method, Paper Tiger crafts what Gray said is a sweeter cup.

Gray, like his coffee, is into full immersion. The whole coffee experience is his passion. His fair trade, organic beans come from Kenya, El Salvador, Ethiopia, Sumatra, Guatemala and Panama. He buys from traders everywhere and will make his first trip to Oaxaca, Mexico this month in search of even greater finds.

“I never hold green coffee for very long,” he said, “it’s always fresh.”

Paper Tiger, one of two small roasters in Clark County, takes pride in doing coffee right. And Paper Tiger’s coffee isn’t an assembly line operation slinging low-joe in a paper cup; each cup is beautifully hand-crafted and presented in the tradition of barista art. Drinks run from $2 to $4 on average and can be enjoyed on site or ordered to-go.

The space is full of art, too. The paintings are for sale and so are used books. A collection of classical literature is available for patrons to read on site for free or purchase inexpensively.

On Jan. 16 Paper Tiger hosted a special art exhibition called “Culture Control” by Guerilla-Media in conjunction with their official grand opening. The free event featured live paintings, performances and readings by dozens of Vancouver-area artists, musicians and poets.

“I love the environment this space has created,” said Gray, articulating his love for the people he meets from the surrounding neighborhood.

The décor is both modern and memorable — embellished with a touch of the antique. An old typewriter graces one wall near the roaster, and your order will be rung up on an 1840s cash register at the front counter. An assortment of board games and toys are available with which patrons can play. A touch of contemporary technology adds free WiFi to the eclectic mix.

In addition to coffee drinks, the establishment brings in fresh, local bagels and pastries daily. Paper Tiger Coffee Roasters is open Tuesday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturdays, from noon to 6 p.m. on Sundays and is closed on Mondays.

For more information about Paper Tiger Coffee Roasters visit www.papertigercoffee.com.

Greg Zschomler is a contributing writer for The Voice.