Warby Parker Opens 1st Canadian Location

Date:

RENDERING: WARBY PARKER

Share post:

New York City-based eyewear retailer Warby Parker has opened its first international store location in Toronto. It could be the first of several locations, as the retailer tests out the Canadian market following the launch of its Canadian e-commerce site in 2012. 

Located at 684 Queen Street West (on Canada’s ‘coolest street‘), the store’s interior is designed with “classic libraries in mind”, according to the company. The store features terrazzo-tiled floors, custom-made brass library lamps, suspended globe lighting, books displayed in custom shelving (and even more reading materials available for purchase) selected from some of Warby Parker’s favourite Canadian authors. The 1,048 square foot store was designed by Partners & Spade, in conjunction with The Lawrence Group. 

Bryce Dymond, Principal/Broker at NorthWest Atlantic co-brokered the Queen Street West deal with Lindsay Bayer from Dallas.

To celebrate the Toronto opening, Warby Parker is releasing an exclusive set of frames for its Canadian customers only, that can be purchased in store and online. These include the ‘Durand‘ in Moss, and ‘Chamberlain‘ in Jet Black. They’re available for a limited time in those hues, both as sunglasses and optical.

WARBY PARKER
RENDERING: WARBY PARKER

As well, Toronto-based artist, Micah Lexier (recipient of the 2015 Governor General’s Award in Visual and Media Arts) has created a series of three newsprint books called Free For the Taking, made in collaboration with fellow Canadian artists Maggie Groat, Mark Laliberte, and artist collective VSVSVS. The books will be on display throughout the store, and are free to take. 

Warby Parker is an innovative, value-priced prescription eyewear retailer, which was founded in 2010 as a pure play online retailer with a $2,500 seed investment by students in the Venture Initiation Program of the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia. Shortly after its launch, the company was featured on Vogue.com andGQ, referred to as ‘the Netflix of eyewear’.

The company has grown substantially and now boasts 30 brick-and-mortar stores in the United States. Last year, the company was reportedly valued at US $1.2 billion.  Warby Parker designs its glasses in-house and sells directly to customers — prices are therefore generally lower than regular optical stores, which may mark up product substantially. 

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here

More From Retail Insider

Load more

RECENT RETAIL INSIDER VIDEOS

Subscribe to the Newsletter

Subscribe

* indicates required

RECENT articles

Toronto restaurant to introduce build-your-own pho concept in September

The restaurant will offer customers a choice of ingredients to create individual meals, including traditional broth-based pho as well as dry pho, which the company is introducing as an alternative preparation.

Flying Tiger Opens First Canadian Store, Begins GTA Expansion

Flying Tiger has opened its first Canadian store at CF Toronto Eaton Centre, introducing a Danish retail concept built around discovery, design and constantly changing merchandise as the company begins a five-store GTA expansion.

Retail inventory stress soars as tariffs, TikTok trends, and AI gaps challenge planning: DOSS Study

DOSS says 75% of retail professionals have lost sleep over inventory decisions, with tariffs, TikTok trends and AI gaps worsening planning.

Calgary Stampede drives meaningful lift for local businesses: Mastercard Economics Institute

MEI estimates that the 2025 Calgary Stampede generated an approximate 18 per cent lift in spending at local merchants relative to baseline, with restaurants experiencing one of the strongest lifts at roughly 29 per cent.

Daily Synopsis: Jun 25, 2026

Retail Insider published nine articles covering Vaughan Mills' Playdium, Dollarama's market reach, and Kraft Dinner's move into instant noodles, among others.

Why Major Brands Can No Longer Ignore Dollarama

As Dollarama's customer base and traffic grow, suppliers are increasingly viewing the retailer as a strategic channel rather than a secondary outlet.

Gen X Shoppers Want Global Flavours, But Discovery Still Happens in Store: Study

A new Cashew Research study finds Gen X shoppers are increasingly seeking international foods, but product discovery still happens primarily in-store, creating merchandising opportunities for grocery retailers.

Kraft Dinner Expands Into Instant Noodle Category with New KD Ramen Line

Kraft Heinz Canada is expanding the Kraft Dinner brand beyond boxed macaroni and cheese with the launch of KD Ramen, a new instant noodle line rolling out nationally this summer.

Maison Territo Introduces Moooi’s Distinctive Design World to Montréal

Maison Territo is now an official destination for discovering and ordering Moooi furniture, lighting, and accessories in Montréal.

Tourism spending edges up in Q1 2026: Statistics Canada

Tourism spending in Canada (+0.1%) edged up in the first quarter of 2026, as increased spending by international visitors (+0.9%) more than offset lower tourism spending by Canadians in Canada (-0.2%).

Pattison Food Group expands automated grocery fulfillment operations at B.C. distribution centre

The investment reflects Pattison Food Group's efforts to adapt its warehouse operations to changing demand while reducing manual processes and increasing efficiency in moving products through its supply chain.

Alberta business exodus feared if separation process begins: Calgary Chamber of Commerce

63 per cent of respondents report separatism is already having a negative impact on their business.

The Clayfield hotel project positions Niagara-on-the-Lake for next phase of tourism growth

The Clayfield, part of Hyatt’s Unbound Collection, a 102-room hotel anchoring a broader mixed-use project known as Clayfield Commons.

Spirits brands shift to experiential marketing as consumption declines: Gradient report

Consumers are demanding more meaningful, higher-quality experiences when they do drink.

Daily Synopsis: Jun 24, 2026

Co-op grocery store opening in downtown Winnipeg Portage Place redevelopment, Walmart opening GTA fulfillment centre, Costco opening in Milton ON, Bailey Nelson opening South Granville store in Vancouver, and other news.

Why Bureaucratic Delays Are Making Food More Expensive in Canada

Administrative delays affecting imported meat shipments may be adding millions in unnecessary costs to Canada's food supply chain, argues Sylvain Charlebois.

Longo’s Opens First Welland Store as Growth Continues

Longo’s is a family-operated Canadian organization that started in 1956 when three brothers, Tommy, Joe and Gus opened their first fruit market.

Why Vancouver’s West 4th Retail District Continues to Thrive

New retailers including Sephora, Aritzia and Mandy's Gourmet Salads are investing in Vancouver's West 4th retail district as the Kitsilano corridor continues to attract shoppers while maintaining its distinctive character.

Circle K Advances 750-Store Expansion Plan as Foodservice and Loyalty Drive Growth

Circle K parent Alimentation Couche-Tard is advancing its plan to build 750 new stores by 2030 while investing in foodservice, beverages, loyalty programs and digital engagement to drive future growth.

Canada’s only commercial olive farm on Salt Spring Island to be sold through online auction (Video)

Farm produces extra virgin olive oil used by restaurants across the country and internationally.