On the Boardwalk Café & Wine | Florenceville-Bristol, NB

Ultimate Windows, Doors & More
1 day ago
2 min read

A warm & inviting riverside restaurant enjoys wide views of the Saint John River, creating two distinct dining experiences on Florenceville-Bristol's boardwalk.

Nestled along the banks of the Saint John River, this two-storey commercial building draws inspiration from Florenceville-Bristol's iconic covered bridge. Brought to life by Rivir Builders, the project weaves crafted wood details throughout, creating a bold, natural exterior and a warm, inviting interior that feels genuinely connected to the town it serves.

The vision was clear: energize the boardwalk with a cafe and wine bar where guests could enjoy the riverfront from either floor. What opened as On the Boardwalk Cafe & Wine has since grown into two distinct new concepts -- Sumac on the main floor and The Canopy above -- a natural evolution that speaks to how well the building was designed.

On the exterior, dark vertical cladding and a boxed geometric design give the building a bold confidence. A continuous band of Marvin windows covers the upper level which faces the river, allowing the interior to glow against the evening sky. The ground floor opens generously to the outdoor patio and street through expansive glazing, softened by a light wood screen that references the covered bridge and draws people in from the boardwalk.

Inside, the material palette shifts from bold to warm. White oak floors, cedar-lined ceilings, and slatted wood screens fill the space with texture and light. Oversized woven pendant lights anchor the dining area with a handcrafted quality that suits the whole design. The bar runs the length of the room, lit by a cluster of amber pendants that catch the light from the river-facing windows throughout the day.

Marvin windows from the Ultimate Collection, supplied by our Saint John location, were central to achieving this connection to the river. The floor-to-ceiling glazing on both levels ensures guests are always oriented to the water, whether seated for coffee downstairs or taking in the view from The Canopy above. The clean profiles of the frames disappear into the architecture, keeping the focus where it belongs.

Why glazing mattered here

For a project like this, getting the lighting right is paramount. Marvin's slim frames and consistent quality across the commercial-scale openings made that possible on both floors.

For a building in the Saint John River Valley that sees year-round use, thermal performance is just as important as looking good. New Brunswick winters demand windows that hold up and manage extreme temperature fluctuations without compromising the openness the design calls for.

The result is a beautiful & inviting space that urges you to gather with friends & family.