What to know
- Little Italy’s Coco’s café is closing Jan. 31 after five years, blindsided by a last-minute lease non-renewal from its landlord.
- The neighbourhood spot was a community hub known for its welcoming vibe and locally roasted beans from Toronto’s women-owned Java Roasters.
- Online, longtime customers are mourning the loss, sharing memories and frustration as the space is set to become the landlord’s sister’s homeopathy clinic.
There are only three days left to get your morning coffee from Coco’s neighbourhood coffee shop before it closes on Saturday, Jan. 31.
After five years in business, Coco’s, located in Little Italy, is set to close.
The neighbourhood cafe fostered community by welcoming conversations and serving locally roasted beans from a women-owned-and-run business, Java Roasters, in Toronto’s east end.
In an Instagram post, the cafe said it has to close because its landlord would not renew its lease. They seem to have been blindsided, saying that they were told by their landlord that they had “nothing to worry about” up until one week before their lease was up.
The location at 668 College St. will apparently become the landlord’s sister’s homeopathy clinic, they wrote in the post.
The owner, who is pregnant, adds that their limited budget and short timeline to find a new location left them no choice but to close their doors.
“The business has been hitting a stride we’re proud of, but we just don’t have the pockets or the logistical capacity to fund a move, renovation, miss holiday sales, and then hire and train new staff to cover my maternity leave all in the span of a few months. Our last day will be Jan 31,” reads the statement in part.
Until their closure, birthday cakes will be discontinued, but holiday orders will be available on a limited basis.
Online, fans of the bakery are reacting to the news and reminiscing on good times.
“One of my absolute favourite cafes – I have so many memories here throughout all of high school, and it was the first stop I made when I came back to visit from university ❤️.”
“You’ve created so much magic for this neighbourhood 🤍 thank you for all the joy you brought us, we will miss you so much!” another person wrote.
Coco’s is open 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. today, and 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. every day until Jan. 31.
