As Toronto’s retail landscape evolves, we’re launching a new format to capture the changes through photo reports. While not a daily feature, these visual updates on 6ixRetail.com will highlight significant retail developments, openings, closures, and community stories across our journeys.
NERDS took over CF Toronto Eaton Centre’s Level 2 court last weekend with a football-themed activation. The setup had mall-goers testing their QB skills at light-up targets while trying the new Berry Gummy Clusters flavor.
The three-day event, set up opposite Fox Home in prime weekend traffic space, marked the Canadian launch of the new flavor by 2024’s Product of the Year winner. Free samples kept the crowds flowing through the temporary arena.
Bloom, the Japanese-inspired dessert café, is expanding to 180 Dundas Street West, taking over the former Java Joe’s location near St. Patrick subway station. The new spot will be Bloom’s third Toronto location, joining existing shops at 596 Yonge Street and 255 Beverly Street.
The café, known for its tea-infused desserts and photogenic beverage presentations, will bring its signature combination of Japanese tea service and contemporary café culture to the busy corridor serving nearby offices, Toronto Metropolitan University, and the hospital district. Java Joe’s, a longtime neighborhood fixture, recently closed its doors at the address. Opening dates for the new Bloom location have not yet been announced.
Nord Lyon, a French bakery focused on authentic patisserie and boulangerie, will open its third Toronto location at 250 Queen Street West, taking over the former Starbucks space. The bakery, founded in 2019 by Lyon native Richard, specializes in traditional French baking with halal-compliant offerings including baguettes, éclairs, and croissants.
The prominent corner location, historically known for its proximity to the former MuchMusic headquarters, became available after Starbucks relocated to 219 Queen Street West, the former Miniso site. The coffee chain’s new location positions it adjacent to a future Ontario Line entrance at Osgoode Station. Nord Lyon’s expansion adds to its existing locations at 665 Queen Street West and The Well at 486 Front Street West.
The Friar, a mainstay Queen West pub at 160 John Street, faces a temporary setback with a lease dispute between The Firkin Group and property owners C Squared Properties.
While currently closed, many neighborhood regulars are optimistic about the pub’s future, given The Firkin Group’s strong presence in Toronto’s hospitality scene and the location’s prime position near the Entertainment District. The British-style pub, known for its shepherd’s pie and warm atmosphere, has been a reliable spot for after-work drinks and weekend gatherings. Resolution talks are likely underway between the parties involved.
After less than 18 months at 311A Queen Street West, Backdoor has closed its downtown location – but with a promise of an ambitious expansion.
The sneaker and streetwear reseller, which started as an Instagram page in 2016 before opening at Centro Square in Vaughan, announced on social media they’re “going bigger” with plans for their largest Toronto location yet. The retailer, known for attracting music scene celebrities and offering deep discounts on luxury brands like Yeezy and Versace, will announce new location details soon.
Reigning Champ‘s Queen West location at 383 Queen Street West has closed after a seven-year run in Toronto’s fashion district. The Vancouver-based athletic apparel brand, which was acquired by Aritzia in 2021 for $63 million as part of Aritzia’s expansion into menswear, maintains two other Toronto retail locations at 41 Ossington Avenue and Yorkdale Centre.
Toronto customers can still shop the brand’s signature Coach’s Series and technical athletics collections at these remaining locations or online. The closure comes amid ongoing integration with Aritzia’s retail operations, though Reigning Champ continues to operate with some independence under its original management team.
LSD°R, a modern Pilates and breathwork studio, is opening in late February 2025 in the retail level of 543 Richmond West. The studio is currently offering founding member pricing with 20% lifetime discounts across all membership tiers.
The boutique fitness concept will occupy space in Pemberton’s new downtown residential development, positioning itself conveniently between King and Queen Streets in the Entertainment District. Founding members receive early access to the opening schedule, complimentary grip socks for annual commitments, priority booking, and retail discounts.
Equinox is expanding to King West with a 38,000-square-foot luxury fitness club at West House, Hines’ new rental development at 88 Bathurst Street. Opening in spring 2025, this will be Equinox’s third Toronto location, joining existing clubs in the Financial District (2012) and Yorkville (2016).
The multi-level facility will feature four dedicated studios for fitness classes, contrast therapy amenities, a spa, café, retail shop, and members’ lounge. West House residents will receive exclusive access privileges to the club, which is designed by local studio Nivek Remas. The pre-leasing for West House’s 307 rental units begins in March 2025.
Majesty’s Pleasure has closed its King West location at 556 King Street West after a decade of operation, with its final day on January 1, 2025. Co-founder Jeff Armstrong cited neighborhood demographic shifts and post-pandemic changes in downtown work patterns as key factors in the decision to not renew their lease with Wilbur Mexicana.
The luxury spa and beauty bar continues operations at its thriving Yorkville location and New York City outpost, with plans for expansion to new Toronto neighborhoods and U.S. markets including Brooklyn, SoHo, Washington DC, and South Florida. The King West location, which opened in 2014, was known for combining accessible luxury spa services with cocktails in an Instagram-worthy setting.
BlackToe Running is expanding with its third Toronto location, set to open at The Well in May 2025. The new store, located just a kilometer east of their original King and Bathurst location, will serve as a product hub with expanded inventory offerings. Co-founders Mike and Maya Anderson selected The Well for its vibrant foot traffic and pedestrian-friendly atmosphere.
While the store will offer their signature expert fittings and curated gear selection, it won’t host running groups to avoid competing with the nearby King Street West location’s established run club. BlackToe’s expansion comes eight years after opening their Midtown location near Yonge and Eglinton, marking continued growth for the independent specialty running retailer that began as the Andersons’ career pivot in 2014.
LEGO’s Botanicals Le Florist Flower Truck visited The Well’s Wellington Square on February 7-8, 2025, offering building workshops, photo opportunities, and a retail shop featuring their new botanical sets. The Valentine’s Day-themed pop-up ran from 11 AM to 7 PM each day, with workshops at 12 PM, 2 PM, and either 5:30 PM or 4 PM.
The Toronto stop was part of a 15-city global tour promoting real-world connections over digital interactions, coinciding with LEGO’s early 2025 launch of four new Botanicals sets, including the Pretty Pink Flower Bouquet and Flower Arrangement collections.
Sweat and Tonic announced REFORMD, a new Lagree method studio opening spring 2025 at The Well. The 6,000-square-foot space, equipped with 30 Mega Pro Megaformer machines, will be the world’s highest-capacity Lagree studio. The announcement came as Sweat and Tonic expands its Toronto presence, with a second location at The Well opened in December 2023 and a third planned for Yorkville.
The studio features immersive chromatherapy lighting, floor-to-ceiling mirrors, heated flooring, private changerooms, and a Tonic Bar. The Lagree Method, distinct from Pilates, offers high-intensity, low-impact workouts on specialized Megaformer machines that focus on strength building and muscle activation.
Thanks for joining our Feb 8 photo walk through downtown Toronto! We explored key retail changes across The Well, Queen West, and King Street developments. Looking forward to sharing more insights on retail leasing and community development as we continue documenting Toronto’s evolving neighborhoods.
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.