TORONTO — World-renowned Japanese coffee brand, % Arabica, has opened the doors of its first downtown Toronto location in the city’s Union Station. This is the second Canadian location for the brand, following its opening in Yorkdale Shopping Centre in December 2022. Founded by Kenneth Shoji, % Arabica is an independent coffee brand from Kyoto, Japan with 155 stores globally.
The Union Station location is designed by Tacklebox Architecture under the leadership of highly acclaimed architect, Jeremy Barbour, who is known for his globally recognized Aesop store designs. The design draws inspiration from the geological and glacial formation of Canada, with the space consisting of a floor-to-ceiling, carved, faceted wall terrain, including stacked layers of gypsum that can be found in Eastern Canada, adding a distinctive Canadian feel to the space.
“After a successful first launch into the Canadian market last year at Yorkdale Shopping Centre, we’re thrilled to bring our first downtown Toronto location to the core of the city at Union Station,” says % Arabica partner. “We’re proud to provide an enhanced coffee experience whether living in, arriving, or leaving the city, starting with the beautiful design of this location. When you step foot into the thoughtfully designed % Arabica, you’ll feel your coffee experience has been up-levelled with a space that allows you to enjoy the moment with the world’s best coffee.”
