Toronto’s Union Station continues its strategic evolution into a retail destination with four significant tenant announcements this spring, including Japanese apparel giant UNIQLO and French patisserie and boulangerie, Nord Lyon. The transit hub’s commercial transformation is accelerating with these additions, reinforcing its dual role as both transportation centre and shopping hub.
UNIQLO Selects Union Station for Downtown Toronto Location
UNIQLO will establish a downtown Toronto presence at Union Station, set to take over the 3,500-square-foot space that’s currently held by Decathlon. The location is part of the Japanese retailer’s four-store Canadian expansion announced earlier this month, which will bring its national footprint to 33 locations by fall 2025.
“We are very grateful to our patrons in Canada and look forward to fostering more meaningful relationships with new customers,” said Yuya Tanahashi, Chief Operating Officer of UNIQLO Canada. “I am optimistic about our Canadian growth, and we look forward to bringing LifeWear to new markets.”
The Union Station store will offer UNIQLO’s complete LifeWear apparel collection for men, women, and children, alongside seasonal collaborations and the brand’s signature UT graphic T-shirt line. Additional UNIQLO locations announced include Maple View Shopping Centre in Burlington, Place Ste-Foy in Quebec City, and Galeries d’Anjou in Montreal.
Nord Lyon to Bring Authentic French Bakery Experience to Union Station
French patisserie and boulangerie Nord Lyon has confirmed Union Station as the site of its fourth Toronto location, following a social media campaign that had customers speculating about the brand’s next expansion. This strategic addition brings authentic French baking to the transit hub’s diverse food and retail offerings.
Founded in 2019 by Richard Cici, a Lyon native who identified a gap in Toronto’s culinary landscape, Nord Lyon has built a loyal following for its commitment to traditional French baking techniques and high-quality ingredients. The bakery offers a comprehensive menu of French classics including baguettes, éclairs, and croissants, all made with halal-compliant ingredients.
This expansion puts Nord Lyon’s premium offerings in front of Union Station’s 300,000 daily visitors, significantly increasing the brand’s visibility in Toronto’s competitive specialty food market.
MINISO to Open in Former TikTok Pop-Up Space
Global value retailer MINISO will open a location at Union Station in the space most recently used as TikTok Canada’s holiday pop-up. The brand, known for its design-focused lifestyle products and IP collaborations, continues its North American expansion with this high-traffic location that will two storefronts, which will allow for exposure into the Food Court and along the Foodie Aisle towards Scotiabank Arena.
Since launching in China in 2013, MINISO has built a substantial global presence with its aesthetically pleasing, affordable product range.
Isabella’s Opens Permanent Union Station Location
Local success story Isabella’s has opened its sixth Toronto location at Union Station, establishing a full-service café concept focused on the brand’s signature mochi donuts alongside coffee and matcha offerings. The grand opening is set for March 22.
Founded in 2016 by David and Cecilia Noon, Isabella’s has transformed from a 20-seat boutique restaurant into a specialized donut operation with locations across the city. The couple, who named the business after their daughter, pivoted their business model during the pandemic to focus on their popular mochi donuts after their restaurant concept proved challenging to translate to takeout.
Prior to the pivot, Isabella’s had earned significant local recognition, including being named Yelp’s #1 “Worth the Wait” restaurant in Toronto and ranking among BlogTO’s Top 5 Brunch Spots. The Union Station location represents continued expansion following successful openings at The Beaches, St. Patrick, Bloor Street, The Well, and Bayview Avenue.
The Union Station café will operate extended hours from 8:00 AM to 8:00 PM, catering to the morning commuter rush through evening travellers with its Japanese and Asian-inspired flavour combinations.
Food Hall Expansion Adds International Concepts
Union Station’s culinary offerings continue to diversify with Mediterranean street food concept Miznon now open and two additional concepts preparing to launch.
Miznon, founded by Michelin-starred Chef Eyal Shani, brings its pita-focused menu to the Foodie Aisle, marking the brand’s third Toronto location after Yorkville (2023) and Kitchen Hub Castlefield. The concept has built an international following with locations in culinary capitals including Tel Aviv, New York, Paris, and London.
“We believe in taking fresh and seasonally inspired ingredients to create a new take on Mediterranean street food,” explains the brand’s philosophy. “Our vision is to take the flavor of each city and translate it into a pita.”
Bingz Canada will soon introduce its Chinese crispy burgers beside KIBO Market, while health-focused Harvest Clean Eats will round out the new food offerings that are joining existing brands like Shake Shack and Jersey Mikes.
Expansion Timing Aligns with Major Events
Union Station’s retail expansion coincides with several significant upcoming events expected to drive visitor traffic, in addition to the regular Monday-Friday office crowds. Upcoming playoff games and the new season of Blue Jays baseball at Rogers Centre, and preparations for Toronto’s FIFA 2026 hosting duties will bring domestic and international visitors through the station.
The tenant mix reflects a strategic partnership between Osmington Inc., which holds a 75-year lease with the City of Toronto, and Beauleigh Retail Consultants. This collaboration has positioned Union Station as both a transit facility and destination shopping corridor, attracting retailers seeking exposure to the station’s role as Toronto’s gateway for UP Express travellers and regional commuters.
Follow 6ixRetail on Instagram (@6ixRetail) for continued updates on Union Station’s development and PATH network leasing activity throughout 2025.
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.