The Art Gallery of Ontario is overhauling ShopAGO and its cafe this summer. Construction starts in June. The doors reopen in November 2026.
The 5,068-square-foot retail space, which overlooks Dundas Street West, will remain free to enter and will not require museum admission. During construction, satellite shop locations will open across the museum, and the AGO Espresso Bar and Norma Ridley Members’ Lounge will continue operating.
The project is backed by the RBC Foundation Community Spaces Grant. RBC Foundation announced this week that it is distributing $12.5 million to 41 organizations across Canada through its 2026 grant cycle, with the AGO among the Ontario recipients. Since the program launched in April 2024, it has committed $37.4 million to 120 projects across the country.
The redesigned shop will carry art prints, books, Indigenous-designed products and artisan jewellery alongside new wood and glass fixtures. What changes most significantly is the programming layer. A dedicated maker space, additional seating and a new coffee bar are being added, and the AGO is positioning the shop as a community destination that does not require a gallery ticket to use.
“Thanks to the support of our partners at RBC Foundation, we’re reimagining both the first and last moments of the AGO experience to be more welcoming, accessible, and inspiring,” said Ros Lawler, Chief Brand and Business Officer at the AGO. “The Shop will continue to showcase art prints and books, Indigenous-designed products, and unique artful gifts, now within a refreshed environment that brings new energy to the museum retail experience.”
CHIL Interior Design and B+H Architects are leading the project. CHIL is the dedicated interior design practice of B+H, with a 50-year track record in hospitality and experience-driven environments. B+H was founded in Toronto in 1953 and is a global practice delivering architecture, interior design and planning.
“We designed the new retail space and cafe at the AGO as a place for creativity, connection, and exchange,” said Diana Ellis, Director of Design at CHIL Interior Design. “Rooted in principles of community and storytelling, the design invites people to gather, explore, and engage, transforming retail into a shared cultural experience.”
The November reopening is timed ahead of the planned opening of the Dani Reiss Modern and Contemporary Gallery in 2027. The AGO drew close to 850,000 visitors in 2023, making it one of the most visited art museums in the world. At that scale of foot traffic, a reimagined retail and cafe offering is both a revenue decision and a statement about where the institution is heading. A November opening puts the new space directly in front of holiday shoppers, which is when museum retail performs at its highest.
Proceeds from all ShopAGO purchases support the AGO and Canadian culture.
6ix Retail will follow this project through to the November reopening.
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.