TORONTO — Second Cup is debuting its revamped, modernized café, with a fresh new name, new look and a more social experience.
The Second Cup Coffee Co. team treated media to a special preview this morning at its “store of the future,” located at 289 King St. W. in Toronto. The 850-sq.-ft. unit was designed by local firms Jacknife Design and II By IV Design; it features a light palette with natural woods and includes a back wall displaying an artistic interpretation of the Toronto cityscape. Each new unit from now on will feature a nod to the local art scene.
At the centre of the new concept is a slow bar, where guests can sit and order handcrafted beverages from the new Steampunk coffee-and-tea brewer, purportedly the first to be used by a restaurant chain in Canada. Made in Salt Lake City, the Steampunk can be used to tailor beverages to its customer’s preferences by adjusting the temperature control and thermal stability.
“This café is an important step in our revolution and reflects our passion for coffee in creative and collaborative ways. For me, the Steampunk embodies our new essence, because it is a high-end artful machine that is famous with coffee connoisseurs and trendsetters around the world. The Steampunk exudes theatre, art and creativity, while at its heart, it is about coffee excellence,” said Alix Box, president and CEO, The Second Cup Ltd. Also included is a pour-over option, which produces a more delicate brew.
Other store features include locally made baked goods, a granola-and-oatmeal bar, milk taps to replace traditional dairy cartons and mobile charging pads built into the counters.
While the upgraded store will open tomorrow, the team plans to roll out some of the elements in other cafés, beginning in the spring. In the next three years, the team hopes to have approximately 40 per cent of its units upgraded.
