A popular Japanese coffee brand is opening its first downtown Toronto location in Union Station on Wednesday.
Founded by Kenneth Shoji, % Arabica is an independent coffee brand originating from Kyoto, Japan. So far, the brand has 155 stores around the world with locations in 18 countries spanning North America, Asia, Europe and Middle East.
% Arabica’s newest location in the new lower level of Union Station marks its second Canadian storefront in Toronto, following its launch in Yorkdale Shopping Centre in December of last year.
The first 50 customers at the new location will receive an exclusive pastry item and the first 150 customers will get a limited edition cup designed by a local Canadian artist with purchase.
The opening of % Arabica is expected to elevate the travel experiences of Torontonians passing through the country’s busiest transportation hub.
“After a successful first launch into the Canadian market last year at Yorkdale Shopping Centre, we are thrilled to bring our first Downtown Toronto location to the core of the city at Union Station,” an % Arabica spokesperson said in a statement.
“We are 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-leveled with a space that allows you to enjoy the moment with the world’s best coffee,” they added.
The coffee company says the Union Station location is carefully designed by Tacklebox Architecture under the leadership of highly acclaimed architect, Jeremy Barbour, who is globally-recognized for his Aesop store designs.
Any coffee enthusiast who has stepped foot in % Arabica’s Yorkdale location is familiar with their elegant design that is inspired by the geological and glacial formation of Canada. In addition, the space includes a floor-to-ceiling, intricately carved wall terrain that is lined with layers of a soft sulfate mineral called gypsum, which can only be found in eastern Canada.
% Arabica’s Union station location is open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. on weekdays and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on weekends.
