he ever-evolving, highly eclectic Commercial Drive corridor is hosting a new arrival: the World Peace Café. A welcome addition to the Tilopa Buddhist Centre at 18th and Commercial, this cozy café/bookstore boasts fair-trade beverages and vegetarian/vegan cuisine at affordable prices.

Inner-peace seeking, deeply spiritual Kadampa Buddhists have created a place that is open to people of all economic standings and run by volunteers as opposed to disgruntled, misanthropic customer service workers. The café will be run in conjunction with meditation classes taught at the centre, but there is no requisite to share in any spiritual practices upon visiting the café; it can simply serve as a place to lounge. With its Douglas Fir Tree counters, lotus flowers and latte-serving, smiling monk, it's a spot best described as West Coast Café meets global village.

The World Peace Café originated in England and similar cafes have since opened in Vienna and Paris. The café in Vancouver will be the first one in Canada, giving disillusioned Vancouverites an injection of culture and diversity. In hopes of creating a community café, World Peace encourages the public to provide input on everything from the menu to decorating tips.

Though the grand opening is scheduled for February, World Peace Café is currently open Monday through Thursday from 8:00am to 2:00pm. - E.C.