Jersey Mike’s Subs opened its first downtown Toronto location yesterday at Union Station, adding to the transit hub’s growing roster of notable food establishments. The opening marks the latest addition to Union Station’s evolving culinary landscape, which already includes the recently opened Shake Shack and anticipates the arrival of Mediterranean favourite Miznon.
Jersey Mike’s Launches Downtown Location
The new Jersey Mike’s location, operated by Redberry Restaurants, opened its doors yesterday in Union Station’s Union Market area. This launch represents a key milestone in Redberry’s expansion strategy, which aims to establish 300 Jersey Mike’s locations over the next decade.
“We have arrived at the heart of Canadian commerce in Toronto’s downtown business district, and we are just getting started,” says Ken Otto, CEO of Redberry. The Union Station location joins the company’s recent openings in Markham, North York, Brantford, and Guelph, with a Pickering location planned for early 2025.
Union Station’s Growing Food Scene
The station’s Foodie Aisle on the lower level continues to evolve with its most recent additions including Azul, Tut’s Egyptian, and Blondies Pizza, alongside established vendors Mean Bao and MightyBird. The area provides direct access to Scotiabank Arena, serving both daily commuters and event attendees.
Shake Shack’s Union Station location, which opened earlier this winter, features a full bar with exclusive cocktails – one of the few Shake Shack locations worldwide to offer this amenity. The space showcases custom artwork by Toronto-based illustrator Pui Yan Fong.
“Toronto has been incredibly welcoming, and we’re excited to further our presence in the city with these two fantastic locations,” states Billy Richmond, Business Director of Shake Shack Canada, referring to simultaneous expansions at Union Station and Yorkdale Shopping Centre.
Coming next month, Miznon will open at Union Station, marking the Mediterranean street food chain’s third Toronto location. Founded by Chef Eyal Shani, Miznon has built a strong following since opening its Yorkville location in 2023 and recently expanded to Kitchen Hub Castlefield.
Some retail spaces remain in transition, notably the former TikTok Creator Market pop-up space, which activated a significant space over the holiday season. This temporary activation strategy demonstrates the station’s ability to maintain vitality while seeking permanent tenants. Best Buy Express recently completed its transformation from The Source, while Lids opened its anticipated retail space, showing continued interest from established brands.
French luxury brand Ladurée’s specialized macaron cart and Cinnaholic’s fresh-baked offerings have added variety to the quick-service options, while Wetzel’s Pretzels brings its fresh-baked pretzels to the station’s growing grab & go selection.
Just steps from the main halls, the dining landscape continues to expand. Blue Bovine Steak + Sushi House recently opened its doors, while across the hall, the Bovine Wine Club introduces Ontario’s first fully licensed private wine storage facility.
The path forward looks promising, with several establishments preparing to join the mix in early 2025. Harvest Clean Eats will introduce its health-focused menu, while Bingz Canada and its Chinese crispy burgers will open beside KIBO Market. Gemlet and PURPEL both recently opened permanent locations, while Orso Activewear will launch a pop-up retail space upstairs beside Tao Tea Leaf, further diversifying the station’s offerings.
This ongoing transformation balances permanent leasing with strategic pop-ups and daily activations, maintaining energy throughout the development process. While some spaces remain in transition, the steady stream of new openings signals continued momentum in Union Station’s evolution from transit hub to retail destination.
Union Station’s retail transformation represents a unique partnership between Osmington Inc., which holds a 75-year lease with the City of Toronto, and Beauleigh Retail Consultants. Together, they’ve crafted a tenant mix that positions Union Station as both a transit hub and a retail gateway to Toronto. The strategy has attracted an eclectic mix of retailers. International brands like Decathlon and Nespresso chose Union Station for their first-to-market concepts, while local favorites, like Craig’s Cookies, Peace Collective and Cabin maintain the station’s connection to the city’s retail identity.
This positioning proves especially significant given Union Station’s role as Toronto’s front door. For UP Express travelers, the station offers their first – or last – glimpse of the city, making its retail offerings a crucial part of Toronto’s first impression. The retail corridor serves not just as a shopping destination, but as a showcase of Toronto’s retail evolution to the station’s 300,000 daily visitors.
Through this gateway approach, Union Station has transformed from a simple transit point into a retail destination that reflects Toronto’s commercial diversity. The ongoing development continues to balance international appeal with local character, maintaining the station’s role as both a transit hub and a retail landmark.
6ix Retail will continue to report on Union Station through future articles and our instagram account (Instagram.com/6ixRetail)
Dustin Fuhs is the Editor-in-Chief of 6ix Retail. He is the former Editor-in-Chief of Retail Insider, Canada’s most-read retail trade publication. He has over 20 years of experience in the retail, marketing, entertainment and hospitality industries, including with The Walt Disney Company, The Hockey Hall of Fame, Starbucks and Blockbuster.
Dustin was named as a RETHINK Retail Top Retail Expert in 2024 and 2025.