How September Surf Café built a community-first destination in the heart of Montreal

Building something different

In its early days, the space where September began doubled as a surfboard workshop, with Martin and his team building boards alongside serving coffee. As the business evolved, the workshop was transformed into a kitchen, allowing the café to expand its food offering and become known for its brunch menu.While plenty has changed over the past decade, one thing hasn’t.

Community remains at the center of everything.

Unlike many cafés, September deliberately avoids becoming a workspace. Public Wi-Fi isn’t available and laptops are far from the focus.

“I wanted this place to feel more like a party,” Martin explains. “Most people are just talking to other humans.”

That emphasis on connection has helped create a venue that feels as much like a gathering place as it does a place to get a caffeine hit.

The moment everything clicked

Over the years, Martin has navigated everything from staffing challenges and rising costs to broken equipment and the endless list of behind-the-scenes responsibilities that come with operating a venue.

And then came COVID.

Like many hospitality businesses, September was forced to rethink how it operated. The team adapted quickly, shifting towards faster service, increasing takeaway orders and continuously changing the layout to meet evolving regulations.What happened next surprised Martin.

“When we had to close for a few months, we had people lining up to support us. People were buying coffee, purchasing gift cards and doing whatever they could to help.”

It was a turning point.

“That’s when I realised this place was something special.”

The experience reinforced what September had spent years building: a genuine connection with its community.

Keeping service moving

As September grew, maintaining that fast and efficient service became increasingly important.

The café’s high-volume counter-service model relies on orders moving quickly from customers to the kitchen, particularly during busy brunch periods.To support that growth, September has relied on Lightspeed since opening its doors.

“Orders are getting punched in quickly, sent to the kitchen and coming out efficiently,” says Martin.

The flexibility of multiple POS devices also helps the team stay responsive during busy periods. While one team member manages orders at the counter, others can move throughout the venue taking additional orders, serving coffee or selling merchandise.

That flexibility brings the focus on the customer experience rather than the technology behind it.

Local supporting local

For Martin, choosing Lightspeed held more significance than functionality alone.

As a Montreal-based business, September appreciated working with a company that understood the local hospitality landscape.

“When we opened, I knew Lightspeed was a local company,” he says.

Over the years, that relationship has extended beyond software.

Whether it’s ongoing support or involvement in community initiatives, Martin values having a partner that feels connected to the same city and community his café serves.

One of the features he relies on most is the ability to access sales reporting from anywhere, giving him visibility into business performance without needing to be on-site.

“I like that I can be anywhere and look at the reporting and the sales.”

A decade of September

Ten years after opening, September Café has found its rhythm.

The café remains busy and the sense of community that Martin and his team have worked so hard to foster remains stronger than ever.

For Martin, the formula hasn’t changed.

Create a place where people feel welcome. Invest in your team. Stay curious. Keep evolving.

Most importantly, never lose sight of the people who walk through the door.

“If there’s one thing I’d say about this place, it’s come as you are,” says Martin. “Be yourself. Everyone’s welcome.”

And for a café built around connection, that philosophy continues to resonate ten years on.