Shake Shack has officially taken over the historic former Albert Britnell Bookshop space at 765 Yonge St., just north of Bloor. For decades, this location was a staple for Toronto book lovers, but most recently, it operated as a Starbucks that managed to keep a lot of the building’s original architectural charm. Now, it’s trading espresso for crinkle-cut fries.
The building itself has a massive history in the city. Albert Britnell first opened his bookstore back in 1893 on lower Yonge Street, but had to pack up and move when the building was demolished to make way for the Pantages Theatre. In 1919, the shop relocated to the Yorkville area at 765 Yonge, where it was run by generations of the Britnell family for eighty years until it finally closed its doors in 1999.
The Yonge and Bloor restaurant marks the latest chapter in Shake Shack’s rapid expansion across the GTA. Since launching in Canada with long lineups at Yonge-Dundas Square, the chain has added locations at Union Station, Yorkdale, King West, Yonge & Eglinton, Vaughan Mills, Square One and now Yonge and Bloor, plus a delivery-only ghost kitchen in Castlefield.
While the idea of a massive American chain moving into a century-old heritage space might ruffle some feathers for local history buffs, the company says they are trying to keep things somewhat local. The new spots will feature murals by Toronto artists like Blake Angeconeb and Kirsten McCrea, and the menu includes Canada-exclusive items like a butter tart concrete, a maple salted pretzel shake, and booze from Bellwoods Brewery and Rosewood Winery.
The Yonge and Bloor heritage location is set to open its doors in mid-2026.
