Tonight was the opening party of the new Drake Commissary in the quickly emerging Junction Triangle neighborhood of Toronto. It officially opens on June 12th (2017).

The concept is a “gastronomic town square.” It’s a bakery. A bar. And a larder. You can get fresh breads, pastas, charcuterie and pantry items, and you can consume them on the spot or take them home.

The space (see above) was designed by + tongtong. Not surprisingly, it’s beautiful. It also very clearly blurs the boundaries between guests and the bakers and chefs.

From a city building standpoint, it’s interesting to consider what all of this means for Sterling Road (where the Commissary is located).

The original Drake Hotel was and continues to be a powerful cultural anchor in the West Queen West neighborhood. In fact, it’s my belief that the Drake was the most important catalyst for what eventually emerged along that strip. 

So I can’t help but think that we are about to witness a very similar transformation in the Junction.