Toronto Coffee Shop Visited by Ryan Gosling and Tom Hanks During TIFF Is Closing

Grinder Coffee has received a lot of attention during TIFF for the last few years, campaigning to get stars into the shop — and succeeding with visits by Ryan Gosling and Tom Hanks. Unfortunately, the Toronto coffee shop is closing down.
 
Grinder's last day open at its east end Gerrard Street location will be October 27.
 
Owner Joelle Murray told Global News that the cafe's landlord had tripled rent for the storefront, jumping from $2,000 per month to $6,000 per month, and that staying open wasn't economically feasible.
 
Murray claims she is looking for another location, but with Ontario's lack of commercial rent control, it will be hard to find another storefront in Toronto.
 
As previously reported, Murray and her staff have run social media campaigns to bring in specific celebrities during TIFF for the last few years.
 
The campaign in 2017 to bring in Idris Elba was unsuccessful, but last year, Ryan Gosling popped in, and Tom Hanks dropped by just last month.
 
Read Grinder Coffee's announcement about the upcoming closure below.
 

 

 

 

 

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All good things must come to an end. It is with great sadness that I must announce the Grinder Coffee's last day will be Sunday, October 27, 2019. No amount of press or success makes us immune from the perils of small business ownership including the cost of leased business premises. We began working early in 2019 to renew our lease. Despite some lawyer bills since then, we will not be able to stay in this location. While I was hoping for another outcome, this will sadly not be the case. It has been a great five years with many ups and downs. Our successful #tomneedsgrinder campaign was just one of the many highlights. Thank you to everyone who has supported us. Many of you have become more than just regulars. You have become our friends. Thank you to this great neighbourhood and this city for allowing me the opportunity to do what I love. I encourage you all to keep dropping by until the end of the month. We would love to personally say farewell. Please also feel free to post on our social media your fondest Grinder Coffee memories. I'm not sure what the next step will be on my journey but as they say when one door closes.... Joelle #leslieville #torontocafe #sad #smallbusinesslife

A post shared by Grinder Coffee Gerrard (@grindercoffeegerrard) on Oct 7, 2019 at 5:11am PDT