Founded in 1910 by Allan Dowbiggin and Albert Lisbona to serve Montreal's European immigrant community, Café Union is the city's oldest established roaster. The Kouri family has been woven into its history since 1928, when Nassif Kouri joined as a delivery driver, eventually buying the company in 1964 and relocating it to Mile-Ex. Roasting began on Jean-Talon in 1970, and when Nassif's son Eric took over, he expanded into home espresso equipment, importing Rancilio and Gaggia machines from Italy in 1972 at a time when moka pots ruled Montreal kitchens.

The third generation, brothers Stefan and James, has pushed the operation further: over 100 roasting batches per week, 500 to 600 wholesale partners across Quebec, and a specialty line called Microlots, launched in 2020, that pursues single-origin light roasts alongside the darker blends that built the brand. The Jean-Talon café and showroom remains the company's public face and neighbourhood anchor.