What to know
- Pottery classes and workshops for all levels, no experience needed.
- Specialty Korean-inspired drinks.
- A screen-free, phone-down environment to help you unplug.
- Handmade ceramics available for purchase, from mugs to decorative pieces.
Toronto just got its first-ever coffee and pottery shop. Step into TigerBaby Coffee & Clay, a sibling-founded spot where you can slow down, get creative, and sip coffee while making pottery with the people you love.
Whether you’re looking to take a break from Toronto’s fast-paced life or dive into a new artistic activity, TigerBaby Coffee & Clay is offering classes or sessions to mould pottery while sipping on a Korean specialty drink.
For this edition of NOW In The City, Now Toronto checked out the west end’s newest wellness and artistic space.
Siblings and co-founders Sarah and Thomas Sawaya named the business after their childhood cat: TigerBaby.
“It’s representing our siblinghood. Our motto is community, craft, and creativity, so the space is meant to inspire creativity,” Thomas told Now Toronto.
The pair combined Thomas’ background in interior design and Sarah’s passion for pottery to pull the place together.
The studio is filled with hand-moulded ceramic coffee cups, handmade bathroom tiles, accent lighting, a mirror for Instagram-worthy pics, and a general Korean café vibe, all designed with Thomas’ expertise..
Why a pottery cafe?
After working a very demanding tech job that required her to be on the computer all day, Sarah decided to switch things up and take on pottery to unwind.
“I took up pottery as a hobby to really relax and unplug, and then it turned into a lot more than that. I became really obsessed with it, and I thought maybe this is something I could open in Toronto, and other people could benefit,” she told Now Toronto.
So, she paired up with her brother, a barista with eight years of experience, and decided to create a space for wellness through the arts and a nice cup of coffee.
To further the detox from everyday stress, the studio has no TV screens, and the act of doing pottery blocks you from using your phone — forcing a disconnect from society.
“The space is meant to focus on both crafts and kind of inspire people to slow down, be creative, work on something new. Whether that’s trying new coffees, trying out a new hobby like pottery, being creative, hosting events, and trying to bring a space for a culture of ceramics to exist in Toronto,” Thomas explained.
Previously, the pair did pop-ups with pottery, and with high demand, decided to open this flagship location at 977 College St W.
Through this studio, the pair hopes to inspire creativity in Torontonians.
“A lot of people don’t have the opportunity to be creative in their day-to-day life, so we want to give you that opportunity here, and community,” Sarah said.
‘It reminds me of our childhood’: The duo on working with family
The pair have grown close through their childhood and shared passion for the arts, so they’re enjoying the process.
“So far, amazing,” Thomas said. “I think the best part of the job is being able to work with my sister every day, and being able to collaborate on the two crafts.”
Sarah agreed, joking that it feels like they’re living together once more, like when they were kids.
“We practically live together now because we’re here all day, every day, and it’s really nice to spend time with my brother,” she said.
How do I start my pottery journey?
The studio officially opens on Wednesday, Aug. 19, and pottery classes are available to pre-book online.
Participants can book a three-hour taster class, four-week or eight-week workshops.
Artists can grab a coffee, get some work done on their laptop, and head on over to their course.
At the end, the studio will take care of trimming and glazing.
TigerBaby Coffee & Clay will be open Wednesday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Saturday to Sunday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
You can also purchase a curated selection of handmade ceramic pieces.
