Signage for Vancouver-based hand roll bar Hello Nori has been installed at 1250 Bay Street in Yorkville, where the restaurant is preparing to open its third Toronto location in early 2026. The Japanese restaurant chain is taking over the 2,552-square-foot former Paramount Fine Foods space, with “Coming Soon to Yorkville!” messaging now visible in the street-level windows along with promotional materials offering $10 off at existing Hello Nori locations through MOOLA Canada.
Founded in 2021 on Vancouver’s Robson Street, Hello Nori specializes in temaki-style sushi where each hand roll is prepared to order to ensure crispy nori and warm rice. The brand has rapidly expanded to eight locations across Canada, with additional Vancouver-area restaurants in Park Royal, Brentwood, and Richmond. Corporate chef Jay Pugong sources ingredients directly from Japan, including a proprietary rice blend and Ocean Wise-certified sustainable seafood.
The Yorkville location will be Hello Nori’s third in Toronto, following the King Street West flagship that opened in October 2024 and the Financial District location at 70 York Street that opened in March 2025.
The location positions Hello Nori in one of Toronto’s premier dining corridors near the Bloor-Yorkville intersection, with neighbors including Starbucks, Anine Bing, Miznon, Freshii, the Four Seasons Hotel and the future Stock T.C opening in the former Pusateri’s next door. The space is steps from Bay subway station.
Ali Baker of Avision Young handles all site locations for Hello Nori. CBRE listed the property.
No specific opening date has been announced beyond the first quarter of 2026 timeline.
6ix Retail will update this article as more details become available.
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 roles with industry giants such as The Walt Disney Company, The Hockey Hall of Fame, The Canadian Opera Company, Starbucks Canada and Blockbuster.
Recognized as a RETHINK Retail Top Retail Expert in 2024, 2025 and 2026, Dustin delivers insider perspectives on Toronto’s evolving retail landscape, from emerging brands to established players reshaping the city’s commercial districts.