How much caffeine can one downtown handle? It all depends on who you ask.

Put the question to some of the dozen or so providers of medium roasts, London fogs and grande lattes and the odds are there are more than enough coffee drinkers to provide a brisk business for all.

But the chief executive officer of Community Futures is less certain; Phil Lindsay is confident the downtown market has reached its saturation point.

Caffe Ariana, Caffeine Downtown and Casey's Caffeine are the newest coffee shops on the block.

They join Cowboy Coffee, Zack's Coffees, Teas and Gifts, The Grind Coffee House, Frankly Coffee, Starbucks, Tim Hortons and Donut King and Coffee. Restaurants like McDonald's and Hello Toast are also coffee destinations.

Brent Arnason opened Casey's Caffeine about a month ago in the former Starbucks kiosk at 104-340 Victoria Street. He said he walked by the old location one day and saw the coffee shop as it exists today.

"What I wanted was someone to be comfortable for the 20 minutes they drink their coffee," said Arnason. He added leather chairs and a bar. Music is pumped through a stereo system and he plans to add a TV and reading area, with even more cozy chairs.

Arnason serves Canterbury Coffee, which is the best coffee he's ever tasted. His daughters, Alex and Jazmin, work the coffee bar and mix lattes, espressos and other specialty drinks. There's also free delivery within the downtown for people who order more than $10 worth of coffee, soup and sandwiches on Casey's menu.

Arnason, who operated Casey's Collectibles for nine years in the downtown, believes the number of coffee shops attests to a stable market.

He said there are different kinds of coffee drinkers: those who are loyal to a particular coffee shop and those who stick with a venue for a few months before moving on. Either one is good for business.

Arnason said individuality is good, too. His comfy chairs, delivery and wireless Internet will attract its own crowd.

The Grind has been attracting its own crowd for 17 years, first on Seymour Street across from the old Cactus Jack's Saloon and now at Seventh Avenue and Victoria Street. Manager Roxanne Hall said there were no other coffee shops downtown when The Grind opened.

"Now you can't even count the Starbucks, let alone all the other ones," said Hall.

Hall and new owners Stella and Matt Marra welcome the newcomers. She said each is unique enough in its own way to have a good chance at surviving the marketplace.

"If you've got a niche, stick in it," said Hall. The Grind serves organic, fair-trade coffee roasted in Kamloops and homemade soup.

"This is what keeps us going. And a friendly atmosphere where someone can come in and read their book or have a lunch meeting."

The Grind has its regulars since and constantly attracts new customers. Hall is also starting jam night again, where local musicians can play for the patrons.

But Lindsay isn't as confident about the downtown coffee market. He said some of the shops won't survive.

"I really wonder if there's room for that many," he said. His experience shows coffee drinkers tend to have a favourite venue and don't stray too far. Some may try a new coffee shop, but tend to return to their cup of choice.

He said the same principle holds true for nightclubs and restaurants, to the point where Community Futures is unlikely to invest in the businesses.

"They come in and they do OK and then people go back to their old habits," said Lindsay, who fears that will happen with the downtown coffee shops.

"If somebody came to me today and said they wanted to (open) a coffee shop downtown, I'd say don't do it."