After closing its original location in Toronto nearly a year ago, a Filipino-inspired bakery and chocolate factory are preparing to open in a fresh new space with a bigger vision.
Founded by Rae Abayan, Bakerrae serves Filipino-inspired baked goods made from scratch using French techniques, while Chachalate — founded by Ry Lee — is an ethical chocolate company that uses directly traded cocoa beans.
Though the closure of their former spot at 149 Main St. marked the end of an exciting chapter, the two businesses are embracing their second chance at a physical shop — one that will be bigger and better.
“Having our own space to create is really important,” Abayan told blogTO. “We developed a great community in the Upper Beaches, and that was something we knew we wanted to get back.”
Thankfully for customers, Bakerrae and Chachalate will be uniting under one roof once again — this time, at a shop in East Chinatown near Broadview and Gerrard Street East.
“When we first saw the space, we felt this connection it,” Lee said. “It’s just a really fun homage to everything that we’re trying to do.”
One of the biggest pieces of feedback from customers at the now-shuttered Main Street location was more room for seating.
“Following your dream, it’s not always going to go the way you want it,” Abayan said. Over the past few months, the business owner has been candidly sharing her struggles with finding a new location that will maximize productivity and provide ample seating for guests to enjoy their pastries.
Thankfully, the new space will now boast enough space for approximately 30 seats, and in the warmer months, the shop will offer a small patio outside, just a stone’s throw away from Riverdale Park.
With the larger kitchen and production area, Bakerrae is set to offer even more of its signature creations, like its ube pastries, kalamansi-infused treats, and pandan lattes.
Drinks will also be a staple at the new location, with familiar favourites like matcha lattes, kalamansi cold brew tonic, and the return of the famous soba hot chocolate. Chachalate’s signature and ethical chocolates will also be offered at the new location.
The bakery and chocolate shop’s reopening is slated for late spring to early summer, as long as construction timelines remain on pace. In the meantime, the duo has kept busy by participating in local markets and hosting pop-ups, but they will soon have a permanent space to call home.
“To see the community be very supportive was the motivation to start again,” Abayan said. “Bigger and better is what we keep saying with this one,” Lee added.
