Paris Baguette Opens Flagship Bakery Café on Bloor Street in Toronto

Paris Baguette, the globally renowned bakery café chain, has officially opened its Canadian flagship at 110 Bloor Street West in Toronto. The grand opening, which took place earlier this month, marks a milestone for the brand as it continues to expand in Canada.

The grand opening event drew crowds with giveaways, including gift cards for the first 25 guests and branded swag for the first 100. Visitors were treated to free samples of Paris Baguette’s famed handcrafted cakes and pastries, as well as live music and giveaways from Z103.5 radio station.

“We are thrilled to introduce Paris Baguette’s unique offerings to Toronto,” said Darren Tipton, CEO of Paris Baguette North America. “Our commitment to quality, from our cakes and freshly baked breads to our hand-crafted coffees, is a reflection of our heritage and our desire to create a bakery café experience that feels like the heart of the community.”

A Bold Flagship in the Heart of Yorkville

The new café, built by GTA General Contractors, stands out from other Paris Baguette locations with a design specifically crafted to complement the upscale Yorkville neighborhood. “We wanted this flagship to reflect the vibrancy and sophistication of the area, and to create a space that truly stands out,” said Cathy Chavenet, Chief Marketing Officer of Paris Baguette. The two-level café spans more than 3,700 square feet, with the main floor serving as the bakery and café, while the lower level houses the kitchen and baking facilities. Boreal Architecture handled millwork in the space.

Paris Baguette makes all of its products in-house daily. Guests can watch the bakery’s skilled artisans craft cakes and pastries through a glass window into the kitchen. In addition to sweet treats, the café offers a full menu of sandwiches, salads, and a variety of espresso-based beverages brewed with Lavazza coffee, a brand known for its high-quality beans.

Geoff Smith of CBRE represented Paris Baguette in the lease deal, while Arlin Markowitz of CBRE co-listed the space with Philip Traikos and Carmen Siegel of Cushman & Wakefield. The lease was first announced by Retail Insider in August 2021. The commercial podium at 110 Bloor is owned by ProWinko and managed by Salthill Property Management Inc.

Aggressive Expansion Plans for Canada

Paris Baguette’s move into Canada is part of a larger strategy to establish 100 locations across the country by 2030. The company, which was founded in 1988, has a strong global presence with more than 4,000 bakery cafés around the world, including locations in major cities such as Paris, New York, London, and Seoul​. The Toronto Bloor Street flagship is the seventh Paris Baguette location in Canada, with several more planned for 2024.

The brand’s first Canadian location opened at the Yonge Sheppard Centre in Toronto in March 2023​. Since then, it has opened additional locations in Edmonton, Calgary, and other parts of the Greater Toronto Area. Paris Baguette’s aggressive growth in Canada is driven by both corporate-owned and franchised locations​.

Community Impact and Seasonal Menu Offerings

In line with its mission to serve and support local communities, Paris Baguette donated $5,000 to Second Harvest, Canada’s largest food rescue organization, at the grand opening. “Through this partnership, Paris Baguette is helping to ensure that nutritious food reaches those who need it most, reducing both hunger and food waste in Canada,” said Lori Nikkel, CEO of Second Harvest. The bakery café chain has chosen Second Harvest as its ongoing donation partner in Canada​.

The Bloor Street café will also feature seasonal menu items, including pumpkin and pecan treats for the fall. “We are constantly updating our menu to reflect the seasons and special occasions,” said Chavenet, highlighting the brand’s commitment to offering fresh and innovative products year-round.