About us

Black Box Hospitality Group was formed by Nate Box and Michael Forgie. After years working together in various kitchens throughout the city they joined forces and their first child was born- Elm Cafe. At 187 square feet, this tiny coffee and sandwich haven garnered lines down the block daily. Fast forward a few years, and an amazing opportunity presented itself smack dab in the downtown/legislature area. After months of blood, sweat, and espresso- District Cafe was born. A beautiful, airy cafe and bakery, serving house-made baked goods, coffee and espresso drinks featuring beans from some of Canada’s top roasters, and an amazing lunch program. This leads us to the largest venture- The Gibbard Block. A stunning 8000 square foot heritage building located in the heart of the Highlands Community. This incredible development was tirelessly restored to original specs, with countless elements preserved and brought back to life. On the main floor, you’ll find the 2 concepts; Fox Burger (smash patty burgers, craft beer, and shakes!), and Highlands Liquor (a finely curated selection of unique wine, craft beer, and spirits). In addition to the 3 main level ventures there is also a “speakeasy” style bar and private dining room in the basement, all topped with a 50 seat rooftop patio. Since the pandemic in 2020 BBHG has been able to grow to include Fox Burger locations in the City of Leduc, and in the community of Westmount. As well, our newest venture, an expansion of the District Cafe brand into the University of Alberta Campus.

Black Box has grown from a pocket-sized cafe to a community-centred and backed multi-concept food collective, employing over 100 staff (and counting!) thanks to the incredible support of their local followers.

District Cafe

District Cafe – established in 2012 – is nestled into the vibrant Government area of downtown Edmonton. District proudly offers a mature and carefully developed pastry program, with all baking done fresh in-house every single day. Alongside thoughtful and expertly curated coffee options, the cafe presents intentional and well-crafted lunch selections. It is the perfect spot for a light bite on the go, a casual coffee meeting or date, or a satisfying brunch that will energize you rather than weigh you down.

District opened its doors in March 2012 as a cozy 1,200-square-foot cafe and bakery. After finding success with the convenient grab-and-go model, we made the decision to expand in 2014 to its current size. Now occupying 3,500 square feet, District Cafe includes over 50 comfortable seats and a large patio that comes alive during the summer months. Every day, District Cafe welcomes hundreds of Edmontonians, serving fresh pastries, expertly brewed coffee, and delicious sandwiches to fuel their day.

In 2025, we added in the small sister shop “District Cafe Campus” in Campus Tower at the University of Alberta. Smaller in size, but still offers the same great coffee and pastries - with a more sophisticated savoury menu for those craving freshly cracked eggs and hot handhelds.

Fox Burger, established in 2019, began with its original location nestled in the charming Highlands neighbourhood, housed within the majestic and historic Gibbard Block building, which dates back to 1912. This flagship spot offers mouth-watering smash burgers, crispy hot fries, and a wide variety of other delicious options designed to satisfy the tastes of the whole family. Fox Burger takes pride in serving 100% Alberta-brewed craft beer, lovingly crafted by local brewers with whom we have built strong relationships over the past decade.

The Highlands location provides multiple inviting dining options, including a 45-seat main dining room adorned with the original tin ceilings and stunning historical architecture that adds to its unique character. Additionally, it features a spacious 60-seat rooftop patio open during the warm summer months and a cozy 24-seat private bar called The Boiler Room, which is available for private events and often open to the public.

Expanding on this success, the Leduc location was opened in 2023 at 4901 50 Street, bringing our signature smash burgers and craft beer selections to the wonderful people of Leduc and nearby communities. This more industrial-themed restaurant offers seating for 60 guests inside, along with a 24-person outdoor patio. It is equipped with multiple flat-screen TVs, allowing patrons to enjoy prime viewing of their favourite city sports teams.

Continuing our growth, Fox Burger Westmount launched in 2024 at 11004 124 Street NW, presenting a more elegant atmosphere with cozy booths and intimate, dim lighting—making it the perfect spot for date nights. For early risers, this location also hosts our popular weekend pop-up brunch concept, "Brunch, Baby!", which operates Fridays through Sundays from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., offering a fresh take on mid-morning dining.

Fox Burger

Highlands Liquor

Highlands Liquor – established in 2019 – is a charming neighbourhood wine and craft beer boutique dedicated to offering carefully curated selections. Proudly awarded Retailer of the Year in 2025 at the Alberta Craft Brewer Awards, we take pride in delivering quality over quantity. Here, you won’t find the usual high sugar, high preservative wines commonly stocked by mega brands. Instead, we provide unique, thoughtfully chosen options that yield familiar and satisfying results. Our skilled and knowledgeable staff are always ready to guide you through the often overwhelming world of wine, ensuring you leave with the perfect bottle tailored to your taste and occasion. We focus on supporting small growers, brewers and independent winemakers, cultivating strong relationships with the passionate individuals who bring these exceptional products into our province. From the renowned vineyards of Bordeaux to the Cape, and from Chile to the Okanagan, our diverse selection spans the globe. Best of all, you don’t have to break the bank to discover good wine here!

Highlands Liquor began humbly in a cozy 500 square foot space within the historic Gibbard Block. Following the challenges of the pandemic, we successfully expanded into the larger premises formerly occupied by June’s Delicatessen. Today, we proudly offer over 450 wines, 150 spirits, and 300 craft beers, ensuring that whoever walks through our doors will find the perfect libation to suit their preferences.

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