Tyler Visser has always found comfort in working with his hands. It is practically his birthright — his dad, cousin and uncle are all electricians, as is he. In 2019, as he searched for a meditative escape from his corporate job, he discovered leather work. From the moment he got his first leather panel, he was entranced in the craft.
“I taught myself from watching videos online,” he says. It was meant to be a hobby but in no time, almost seamlessly, he began considering it a livelihood. Ordering high quality grain leather from Vancouver and Saskatchewan and creating pieces that he began selling at farmers markets, and through other local businesses. And it didn’t take long for him to launch his online store-front, Nuckbuk Leather Goods.
In 2023, he met his wife Miryam Muñoz. They formed an instant connection over beers and a Rapid Fire Theatre show. At the time, Muñoz was balancing multiple jobs, while taking care of her son Luis. And Visser was questioning his own endeavors.
“We were the support each of us needed to move forward,” says Visser. “Without her, I wouldn’t have continued to have confidence in my art.” And he did the same for her.
One day, over one of Muñoz’ meals, Visser casually suggested she open a food spot. A cafe-style restaurant for her to introduce others to her Mexican cuisine, the same way she had introduced it to him. Before her, as a born-and-raised Red Deerian, Visser had never tried chilaquiles — tortilla chips simmered in a brothy sauce, topped with your preferred protein — nor many other Latin American delicacies for that matter. “It could be the fact that I never had the dish before, but there was something in her sauce that made it so special,” he says.
As he proposed the idea to Muñoz, Visser also realized that it was the perfect establishment to feature his craft. A place that could serve as a home from which to display and sell his leather products. His website offered shipping options but some Edmontonians were looking for a physical location to pick up their orders from. So, aside from helping make Muñoz’ passions come to life, he would also be expanding his own business.
El Cafesito by MexiCánada is the product of both of their ambitions. It was a passion project that started in 2024, which they built from the ground up — literally, they tackled renovations themselves. It is such a personal venture for the couple, even the name represents their heritages coming together. “It is a representation of the family we have built and what it has given both of us,” says Muñoz. They finally opened their doors this past April, just steps away from Whyte Avenue.
As soon as you step inside El Cafesito, you will find a display of Visser’s carefully crafted handmade goods. He continues to make every piece by himself in his garage shop. His permanent repertoire includes bags, cardholders and accessories (belts, eyeglass cases and other everyday items). And he thrives on customization. One of his most recent projects was a duffel bag with a detachable travel garment bag — all leather.
Or have a sip of Café de Olla, a sweetened, spiced coffee, while browsing Nuckbuk’s offerings in this warm Mexican nook.
El Cafesito by MexiCánada
old Strathcona | 8111 102 St NW, Edmonton | elcafesitomexicanada.ca
