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I went on google and any that are "closing" have updated their hours on google maps. It says Monday Tuesday Wednesday as closed for example.

I found one at islington/bloor & Queensway staples plaza closing too.
 
Richard White said:
I work directly above 253 Jarvis and they show no sign of closing.

I spoke with them via Instagram and got this reply:

View attachment 296818
Click to expand...

The Jarvis and Dundas location is small, even as far as Starbucks goes, and opened during the pandemic only a few months ago, and people are still moving into the area. I was surprised to see it on the list.
 
ShonTron said:
The Jarvis and Dundas location is small, even as far as Starbucks goes, and opened during the pandemic only a few months ago, and people are still moving into the area. I was surprised to see it on the list.
Click to expand...

Indeed. The Yonge and College location is also an odd one on the list. It is always quite busy.

I would assume the Bay and Grosvenor one is also quite well used by the TPS staff at Headquarters.
 
ericlewis91 said:
I went on google and any that are "closing" have updated their hours on google maps. It says Monday Tuesday Wednesday as closed for example.

I found one at islington/bloor & Queensway staples plaza closing too.
Click to expand...

Yep. That was really helpful to check. The one in Downtown Brampton is gone as of Monday - I was surprised to see them open there (Downtown Brampton doesn't have much going on), but I guess with the city staff and the other offices, it made enough money that it lasted a decade there, with just enough residents and visitors to make it work as a 7-day operation.

Anyway, the Jarvis/Dundas location's hours are still showing up on Google Maps for next week while the Gerrard/Church one is showing as closing, so someone made a mistake.
 
Richard White said:
Indeed. The Yonge and College location is also an odd one on the list. It is always quite busy.

I would assume the Bay and Grosvenor one is also quite well used by the TPS staff at Headquarters.
Click to expand...

I'm a little bit sad the Yonge and College store is closing. I recall when it opened long ago; my business partner and I had an office at 22 College at the time. Once or twice a day, we would walk over there and relax over espressos. Back then, they served them in real cups, and that was long before Wi-Fi. People actually went there to talk and have a pleasant time, not hog the tables with their laptops.

Of course, they were using overroasted beans so the coffee itself was awful, but at the time, good espressos were very hard to find in Toronto anyway. I liked the ritual more than anything else.
 
Bayer said:
I'm a little bit sad the Yonge and College store is closing. I recall when it opened long ago; my business partner and I had an office at 22 College at the time. Once or twice a day, we would walk over there and relax over espressos. Back then, they served them in real cups, and that was long before Wi-Fi. People actually went there to talk and have a pleasant time, not hog the tables with their laptops.

Of course, they were using overroasted beans so the coffee itself was awful, but at the time, good espressos were very hard to find in Toronto anyway. I liked the ritual more than anything else.
Click to expand...

With genuine sympathy for those laid off; I want to be optimistic that this will make more room for indies and secondary chains.

I remember when the chain side of the equation featured:

Starbucks
Second Cup (with a much larger number of locations)
Timothy's
Grabba Java
Pam's

And a few others.

Along with a decently robust section of indies.

Today, the number of indies is down a bit.

But there really isn't any 'chain' competition outside of the super-sized indies like Balzac's (for whom I have a great fondness)

*****

Things I want in my coffee shop:

Good Coffee (can't find that at Starbucks)
Good Pastry (can't find that at Starbucks)
Outlets that are unique, not exactly like the shop 2 blocks away
Comfy seats
Ideally, a fireplace, really nice on a cold winter's day
Newspapers; i still enjoy a Sunday morning browsing the New York Times
Live music on Friday/Saturday evenings. (used to enjoy free, acoustic guitar shows at a coffee shop in the Beach 20 years ago0
Full-time staff, with decent wages/benefits

:rolleyes:

Starbucks is not my preferred outpost.

But I still sympathize w/those losing their jobs.
 
Northern Light said:
With genuine sympathy for those laid off; I want to be optimistic that this will make more room for indies and secondary chains.

I remember when the chain side of the equation featured:

Starbucks
Second Cup (with a much larger number of locations)
Timothy's
Grabba Java
Pam's

And a few others.

Along with a decently robust section of indies.

Today, the number of indies is down a bit.

But there really isn't any 'chain' competition outside of the super-sized indies like Balzac's (for whom I have a great fondness)

*****

Things I want in my coffee shop:

Good Coffee (can't find that at Starbucks)
Good Pastry (can't find that at Starbucks)
Outlets that are unique, not exactly like the shop 2 blocks away
Comfy seats
Ideally, a fireplace, really nice on a cold winter's day
Newspapers; i still enjoy a Sunday morning browsing the New York Times
Live music on Friday/Saturday evenings. (used to enjoy free, acoustic guitar shows at a coffee shop in the Beach 20 years ago0
Full-time staff, with decent wages/benefits

:rolleyes:

Starbucks is not my preferred outpost.

But I still sympathize w/those losing their jobs.
Click to expand...

Fully agreed - while it's sad for those employed at these locations, I'm hopeful that this will free up spaces for more indie, hipster cafes that actually have character (and good coffee).
 
Northern Light said:
Things I want in my coffee shop:

Good Coffee (can't find that at Starbucks)
Good Pastry (can't find that at Starbucks)
Outlets that are unique, not exactly like the shop 2 blocks away
Comfy seats
Ideally, a fireplace, really nice on a cold winter's day
Newspapers; i still enjoy a Sunday morning browsing the New York Times
Live music on Friday/Saturday evenings. (used to enjoy free, acoustic guitar shows at a coffee shop in the Beach 20 years ago0
Full-time staff, with decent wages/benefits

:rolleyes:

Starbucks is not my preferred outpost.

But I still sympathize w/those losing their jobs.
Click to expand...
There should be fast reliable Wi-Fi and clean washrooms as well.
 
Johnny Au said:
There should be fast reliable Wi-Fi and clean washrooms as well.
Click to expand...

I'm certainly content to have good wi-fi; though I don't know that I would go to a coffee shop w/making us of that in mind.

As to clean washrooms...............there is nowhere I wish to be where washrooms are permitted in any other state! (or so I would hope)
 
DSC said:
or more nail salons.....
Click to expand...

We just had a victory in the West Don Lands...........allow yourself a modicum of optimism....just until dinner! LOL
 
Bayer said:
Back then, they served them in real cups, and that was long before Wi-Fi. People actually went there to talk and have a pleasant time, not hog the tables with their laptops.
Click to expand...

This sounds beautiful.

The myth, the legend.....hey, are you making this stuff up? 😜
 
Towered said:
Fully agreed - while it's sad for those employed at these locations, I'm hopeful that this will free up spaces for more indie, hipster cafes that actually have character (and good coffee).
Click to expand...

Yeah, yeah, for sure....but without the hipsters. 😘
 
If my recollection and Google serves me right, Yonge & Davisville was one of 5 original Toronto locations opened in January, 1996. Sad to see it go after 25 years.
 
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