Trendy Toronto cafe announces sudden and indefinite closure after a decade
Becky Robertson
created: April 21, 2025, 7:59 p.m. | updated: April 22, 2025, 7:21 p.m.
<img class="webfeedsFeaturedVisual" src="https://display.blogto.com/articles/20250421-hotblack-coffee.jpg?w=1200&cmd=resize_then_crop&height=630&quality=70&format=jpeg" width="100%" /><p>An award-winning Toronto cafe that has been a mainstay in the city's most tourist-heavy neighbourhood has unexpectedly shuttered, with management's confusing (though heartfelt) goodbye message leaving the community wondering about what's to come for business — and the prime address it has called home for close to a decade.</p><p>On the surface, the closure of <a href="https://www.blogto.com/cafes/hot-black-coffee-toronto/">HotBlack Coffee</a> appears to simply be<a href="https://www.blogto.com/fashion_style/2025/02/reigning-champ-queen-toronto-closed/"> the latest casualty</a> in the undeniable demise of the Queen West strip, but missives posted both in the coffee shop's windows and on its social media pages explains that its situation is a bit more complicated, and its future, quite up in the air.</p><p>General Manager Momi Kishi explained <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/DHnkvIqtFnk/?hl=en">in a post</a> dated March 25 why the cafe's doors, a stone's throw from Osgoode subway station, would have to close for at least a while a mere five days later. And surprisingly, it wasn't <a href="https://www.blogto.com/eat_drink/2025/03/toronto-bakery-shuts-down-32-years-landlord-rent/">due to a rent increase </a>or <a href="https://www.blogto.com/eat_drink/2025/04/teako-cafe-toronto-help-pay-bills/">rising cost of operating</a> issue, as it has been for far too many establishments in the city in recent months.</p><p>"Ever since the owner passed away, the company has sort of been sailing blindfolded in the middle of the ocean, mainly because [of] legal issues. This [has] to be sorted in the right way; we figured that the only choice is to end this chapter," reads a lengthy Instagram caption alongside a symbolically blurry photo of the cafe's interior.</p><p>"We hoped this transition to be quietly done, but it unfortunately has not settled, and time is almost up."</p><blockquote class="instagram-media"><div style="padding: 16px;"><div style="display: flex;"><div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"> </div><div style="display: flex;"><div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"> </div><div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; height: 14px; width: 60px;"> </div></div></div><div style="padding: 19% 0;"> </div><div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/DHnkvIqtFnk/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" style="line-height: 0; padding: 0 0; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; width: 100%;" target="_blank"></a></div><div style="padding-top: 8px;"><div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/DHnkvIqtFnk/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" style="line-height: 0; padding: 0 0; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; width: 100%;" target="_blank">View this post on Instagram</a></div></div><div style="padding: 12.5% 0;"> </div><div style="display: flex; margin-bottom: 14px;"><div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div></div><div style="margin-left: 8px;"><div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; height: 20px; width: 20px;"> </div><div> </div></div><div style="margin-left: auto;"><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div></div></div><div style="display: flex; margin-bottom: 24px;"><div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;"> </div><div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; height: 14px; width: 144px;"> </div></div><p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; white-space: nowrap;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/DHnkvIqtFnk/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">A post shared by HotBlack Coffee (@hotblack_coffee)</a></p></div></blockquote><p>While management broke the unfortunate news with a bit of hope — stating that the farewell was potentially "for now" and may end up being more of a "little pause" — the notice was underscored by some serious uncertainty that won't likely provide regulars with much solace.</p><p>"We still do not know which hand this beautiful creation will land into, or maybe [it will] become a completely different entity," Kisha continued before graciously thanking customers, friends, former and current employees, and others.</p><p>"Whether or not the current staff and I [will] be in the next chapter, I really am hoping to see you all somehow somewhere soon to have our little chatting time like we always do at HotBlack with great cups of coffee on one hand (and hoping I or one of our hardworking trained staff are making that) and healthy tasty foods in the other."</p><p>"Thank you all so very much and love you all so much."</p><p>HotBlack started with the aim to offer cutting-edge, barista-competition level espresso and other beverages alongside nutritious, handcrafted snacks ranging from baked goods and sandwiches (on housemade sourdough) to grab-and-go yogurt cups and salads.</p><p>Its sheek, minimalistic space included a secluded back patio, and also boasted an extensive local wine selection that was showcased through regular tasting events.</p><p>Here's hoping that the almost always-packed spot is able to continue operating for years to come as a well-loved, familiar face in the increasingly vacant storefronts in the neighbourhood.</p>
1 month, 2 weeks ago: blogTO