Global coffee chain shuts down first and only Canadian location in Toronto

A brief, bright venture across the pond has come to a close for one Italian coffee chain, as its first and only Canadian location has officially shut its doors.

It’s been a big year for Toronto when it comes to major international brands making their mark on the city.

From U.S.-based Shake Shack to Korea’s BHC Chicken, and the latest news of Brazilian chain, The Coffee’s, impending Canadian expansion, Toronto’s reputation as a hub for global brands to make their first forays into the Great White North certainly remains uncontested.

That doesn’t mean that all of them find success here, though, and Italian coffee chain, Ditta Artigianale appears to be the latest to pack its bags and head home.

After a mere two-year stint in the city, the chain, which operates five other locations all in Italy, quietly and suddenly vacated its trendy Richmond Street space at the base of the Harlowe Apartments, offering not even a statement or notice for devoted regulars.

At the time of publication, Ditta Artigianale has not responded to blogTO’s request for comment on the reasons behind the closure, as well as whether there’s any hope of the chain making a return to the city.

While Ditta Artigianale Toronto’s Instagram account remains up, the chain’s Canadian website has been taken down, which doesn’t bode well for a potential revival in Toronto — or anywhere else in Canada, for that matter, — in the near future.

As for the space that Ditta Artigianale left behind, that future has already taken shape, and, as fate would have it, it comes in the form of another Italian-inspired concept; a cocktail bar and restaurant called 612 Harlowe.

Purporting to serve “authentic Italian cuisine made with fresh ingredients,” the dishes served at 612 Harlowe, which also include a number of internationally-inspired dishes like Cajun-spiced corn steaks and Mediterranean octopus, offer similar-enough options for those who took advantage of Ditta’s fleshed-out dining menu, while leaving lovers of the coffee high and dry.

If you’re really hurting for a cup of the chain’s specialty Italian-roasted coffee, though, you can still order it online through the brand’s website.

Ditta Artigianale was formerly located at 612 Richmond St W.