Toronto cafe popular among book lovers suddenly shuts down without warning
A cafe in Toronto that was a local staple in its neighbourhood has abruptly closed its doors.
What pairs better with a good book than a fresh latte or a cup of tea? Nothing, that’s what, and that’s exactly the philosophy that led BMV Books, Canada’s largest used and discounted bookstore, to open its very own cafe right next door to its Bloor West “superstore.”
The BMV Cafe served up a selection of classic coffee- and tea-based beverages and light snacks, while also adding to the chain’s retail footprint by selling even more used literature and knick-knacks.
While the cafe itself only opened its doors in 2023, it quickly became a neighbourhood staple in the Annex, particularly among BMV’s throngs of devoted customers, who lept at the opportunity to pair their latest purchase with a caffeinated beverage and a snack or to browse the cafe’s selection of three-for-$10 comic books and magazines.
Despite the bounty of love the cafe amassed over its short, two-year lifespan in the city, locals were surprised when, on June 14, BMV took to its Instagram account to announce that the cafe would be closing down that very day.
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“The BMV Cafe is closing,” the caption of the post reads. “Today will be its last day — thanks for a great two years, everyone.”
Beyond reminding fans of the cafe’s three-for-10 offerings that they can find the same deal at the business’s Queen Street West location, little other information was offered in the caption, particularly by way of explanation as to why, exactly, the cafe was closing down at all.
“Good gravy! So sorry to hear this. Thank you so much. There goes another part of the neighbourhood,” one devotee comments on the post.
Another fan simply comments, “noooo.”
Dished Toronto reached out to BMV Books for comment on the reasons behind the closure, but, at the time of publication, has not yet received a response.
On the bright side, BMV Books’ iconic Annex location is still alive and well, as it has been for the past 20 years, and its additional locations on Queen West and at Yonge and Eglinton are business-as-usual, too. You’ll just have to look elsewhere for your coffee, now.
The BMV Cafe was formerly located at 471 Bloor St. W.