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Food Food & Drink

The Drake Commissary has closed to the public

The interior of the Drake Commissary restaurant

The Drake Hotel has closed its massive Sterling Road location, the Drake Commissary, to the public.

On Tuesday night, the company announced on social media that the closure is effective immediately, but did not give a reason for the decision.

The 8,000-square-foot space opened in June 2017 as a state-of-the-art prep kitchen for all of the Drake’s properties. It also housed a restaurant, store, bar, takeout counter and a catering operation.

Asked for comment, Drake Hotel Properties COO Scott Hart said in a statement that the Drake Commissary will continue to produce baked goods for the company’s restaurants and hotels.

As we eye the future post pandemic, we have made the difficult, but strategic decision to fully dedicate ourselves to our one-of-a-kind brand of hotel experiences,” he said, adding that the company will focus on its on-site food and beverage programs, art and culture offerings and retail gift business.

The Commissary was part of a wave of new food, art and retail businesses moving into the industrial Junction Triangle neighbourhood, which is also home to Henderson Brewing and the Museum of Contemporary Toronto (MOCA), as well as the Nestle Chocolate Factory.

The original Drake Hotel location on Queen West is in the midst of an expansion that is expected to be completed this year.

Last year, the hospitality brand’s CEO Jeff Stober stepped down and named Hart, Ana Yuristy and Andy Sennin as the new executive team.

The company had come under fire from former and current employees and patrons who accused management of fostering a culture of a anti-Black racism and discrimination. Hart told NOW at the time that Stober’s retirement had been in the works prior to the pandemic.

Updated (August 26): This story was updated to include a statement from Drake Hotel Properties COO Scott Hart.

@nowtoronto

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