Toronto’s STACKT market has emerged as a defining example of how retail spaces can serve multiple community functions while supporting business growth. The shipping container marketplace at 28 Bathurst Street operates on principles that challenge conventional retail wisdom—measuring success through community engagement metrics rather than traditional sales figures alone.
Since opening in 2019, the 100,000-square-foot destination has welcomed 6.5 million visitors, hosted over 4,000 brands and businesses, curated more than 2,000 events, and created 12,000 jobs. These numbers reflect a retail model that prioritises discovery, connection, and entrepreneurial support over pure transaction volume.
From Industrial Wasteland to Cultural Hub
The site’s transformation reflects broader urban revitalization trends across Toronto’s downtown core. Jessica Lynch, Vice President of Strategy & Development at STACKT, recalls the area’s gritty industrial past.
“When you think about the neighbourhood less than ten years ago, it was more of an industrial void,” Lynch explains. “It lacked community or culture. When you think about how STACKT can take unused land and build a space that can act as not only a community hub, but a destination, that’s transformative.”
The project required extensive planning before STACKT opened its gates. “The build and design of the ecosystem started long before the gates opened. We opened up in April of 2019, so we’re almost in our seventh season, which is wild to think about how fast seven years have flown,” Lynch says.
Timing proved both challenging and instructive. STACKT launched just months before the pandemic upended retail assumptions worldwide. “We were living in that pre-pandemic world. We saw what STACKT could do and it was beautiful in terms of how they created that ecosystem,” Lynch reflects. “The pandemic hit, and it completely decimated all of the industries that we are working in—hospitality, events, retail, public space. But there was a silver lining: it allowed us to slow down and focus on stabilizing the physical property and understanding how to work with businesses.”
Rethinking Retail Metrics
Traditional shopping centres track foot traffic and revenue per square foot. STACKT measures “discovery moments”—how many new brands customers encounter during each visit. This approach reflects a deeper understanding of changing consumer expectations.
“Some brands come in working with their agencies and they’re very focused on a campaign,” Lynch explains. “When we look at the longer-term brands and residencies, many are recognizing the value of creating a roadmap within a space that is ever-evolving so you don’t become stagnant.”
The strategy has attracted major Canadian and international brands seeking authentic testing grounds. Notable brands including Monos, Endy, Sonos, Makeway, and Inkbox have used STACKT as a platform to test retail concepts and engage with Canadian consumers before expanding to other locations. The marketplace offers lease terms from one week to three years, providing flexibility that traditional commercial real estate cannot match.
Breaking Down Entrepreneurial Barriers
STACKT’s model specifically addresses structural challenges facing Canadian entrepreneurs. Access to affordable retail space for concept testing remains limited in Toronto’s expensive commercial market.
“When you’re an entrepreneur or a small business, the needs you have—from capital to finances, resources, tools, and staffing—are very different. It’s not like working at a big company where you have that ecosystem; you’re really on your own,” Lynch explains. “When we created STACKT, we asked ourselves how to design a model that provides turnkey, fitted-out units, how to offer non-traditional lease agreements—leases as short as one week, up to three years—and how to layer on exposure and engagement opportunities. We also focused on integrating tenants into a community where they truly feel like they belong.”
Toronto’s commercial real estate landscape creates particular challenges for emerging businesses. “When you think about the City of Toronto, a lot of the long-term leases are creating barriers. If you have a new business, you have to sign up with a five or 10-year lease,” Lynch notes.
The STACKT leasing team functions like talent scouts, identifying promising concepts before they achieve mainstream recognition. “I love that analogy of finding the next Justin Bieber. I’m going to use that,” Lynch says, embracing the music industry comparison. “Everyone has a rhyme or reason, and we’re okay with that. We’ve built a platform for them to launch their innovation or campaign-specific initiatives.”
Building Authentic Community
Lynch identifies broader societal trends driving demand for genuine community spaces. The intersection of digital fatigue and social isolation affects urban populations across demographics.
“We’re experiencing a loneliness epidemic in society over the last few years, and we’re feeling a digital fatigue from the constant scrolling. We’re losing human connection,” Lynch observes. “Especially when we look at the next generation—the doom scrolling is not always helping society, and now we’re seeing this rise of experiential in every single format, especially within retail.”
This analysis shapes STACKT’s programming philosophy. Lynch emphasizes the irreplaceable value of in-person experiences. “Physical retail is the soul of a brand at times. Digital is so valuable, but it gives a sense of amplification and it drives the reach. I don’t think that we see a difference between online versus in person—they’re always going to support each other and create a great balance between the two.”
The community-first approach generates measurable benefits that digital channels cannot replicate. “Community-first spaces are driving a sense of loyalty that e-commerce cannot. That value of human connection—the emotional connection that you can’t always get on digital—that’s what third spaces and fourth spaces give back.”
Lynch sees emotional connection as fundamental to STACKT’s repeat engagement success. ““When you provide a sense of belonging and spark that emotional connection, you become part of their memory and their day-to-day routine. You create a space they know they want to visit whenever they’re experiencing or celebrating an occasion.”
Programming for Year-Round Engagement
Operating an open-air retail concept year-round in Toronto requires strategic programming that maintains community relevance across seasonal variations. STACKT addresses slower winter months through destination events and experiential programming.
“We program heightened tentpole moments. So there could be a large-scale festival in February, a design show in January,” Lynch explains. “That way we’re more of a destination and have that call to action, and we’re finding ways to integrate retail within that.”
Recent programming demonstrated this community integration approach. Toronto Tempo’s “Tempo LIVE” event in May 2025 marked exactly one year before the WNBA franchise’s 2026 debut. The two-day celebration featured immersive fan experiences including merchandise from Peace Collective, Roots, and Nike, alongside basketball skills competitions and speaker panels with General Manager Monica Wright Rogers and ownership group member Lilly Singh.
Current Tenant Mix Reflects Diversity
STACKT’s 120 shipping containers house an evolving mix of retail, food service, and experiential offerings. The marketplace continues expanding its food and beverage selection with recent additions including Haydn’s Açaí & Frozen Yogurt, Toronto’s self-serve açaí and frozen yogurt bar that opened in June 2025.
The diverse programming demonstrates the flexibility of the third space model to accommodate both retail discovery and community dining experiences. STACKT’s layout intentionally blends retail with community amenities—basketball courts operate alongside coffee shops, while event spaces neighbor traditional storefronts.
National Expansion Validates Model
STACKT’s success has driven national expansion through STACKTˣ, a small business accelerator program launched in Ottawa and coming soon to Vancouver and Calgary. The initiative aims to support over 11,000 entrepreneurs across Canada, testing retail concepts in a low-risk environment, without the financial burden of a lease.
The company recently ranked #4 on Fast Company’s 2025 Most Innovative in Economic Development list, recognizing the broader economic development potential of third space retail models. Additional accolades include awards from Modern Retail, Creative Retail Awards, and the Toronto Urban Design Awards.
“We’re understanding the needs from a federal and municipal level on the objective of how they’re going to support and reanimate Main Street,” Lynch notes, indicating potential policy applications for community-focused retail development.
Industry Implications
The success of STACKT and similar concepts suggests third space retail represents more than a temporary trend. The model offers a sustainable alternative to traditional shopping center formats struggling with changing consumer preferences and digital competition.
For retailers and developers, the third space approach demonstrates that success increasingly depends on creating authentic community value rather than simply providing transactional convenience. The integration of retail with genuine community programming appears essential as consumer preferences continue evolving toward experiential and community-driven commerce.
The broader implications extend beyond retail. STACKT’s model suggests how unused urban land can be transformed into community assets that support both economic development and social connection. As Canadian cities grapple with retail vacancy and the need for community space, this approach offers a replicable template for municipal planners and private developers.
The pandemic’s lasting impact on retail has accelerated many trends that STACKT anticipated. The marketplace’s resilience through 2020-2021 validated the community-focused model when purely transactional retail struggled. This experience positions STACKT’s approach as particularly relevant for post-pandemic retail development.
Dustin Fuhs is the founder and Editor-in-Chief of 6ix Retail, Toronto’s premier source for retail and hospitality industry news. As the former Editor-in-Chief of Retail Insider, Canada’s most-read retail trade publication, Dustin brings over two decades of expertise spanning retail, marketing, entertainment and hospitality sectors. His experience includes leadership roles with industry giants such as The Walt Disney Company, The Hockey Hall of Fame, Starbucks and Blockbuster.
Recognized as a RETHINK Retail Top Retail Expert in 2024 and 2025, Dustin delivers insider perspectives on Toronto’s evolving retail landscape, from emerging brands to established players reshaping the city’s commercial districts.