BusinessNEWS

Creeds Coffee wants to urn community hub status in Leaside

Much like a freshly pressed dress shirt, Creeds Coffee Bar is looking to get off to a clean start in Leaside.

The family-run business that went caffeinated in 2015 was once a clan of furriers. Started by Jack Creed, the company sold fur, provided storage for furs and focused on women’s retail. They switched to high-end garment care during the 1980s, given the slowdown in fur sales.

Now, it’s all about the beans, instead of the jeans, for their new restaurant, opening at 1595 Bayview Ave. Especially since their flagship café in the Annex at Bathurst and Dupont streets is seeing success.

“Through the success of our coffee bar and dry-cleaning business, we are seeing an increased demand for our services, and the demand for a similar space in different communities,” current generational owner Jonah Creed said in an email. “Toronto is growing, and Leaside has always appealed to us.

“It’s a friendly community of young families and a mobile workforce,” he added. “Many of our clients come in to work and run their businesses out of Creeds.

It also doesn’t hurt that there is free Wi-Fi either.

And that’s the idea. Creed said he wants to create a gathering spot for the community. Part of that includes supporting local businesses.

“We serve local food and beverage including Pilot Coffee Roasters, Chaiwala, Genuine Tea, Sapsucker, Baker and Scone, as well as our custom food menu,” he said, adding Creeds will also host events.

“Whether someone is dropping off dry-cleaning, picking up their personal laundry, having a coffee with friends or co-workers, it’s important to us that everyone feel welcomed at Creeds.”

Creeds is looking into obtaining a licence to serve alcohol to be able to offer shots of liqueur added to the coffee drinks.