If you ask any resident (or 'beacher') what the sense of community is like in Toronto's Beach Hill area, they'll tell you it's unparalleled. Morning Parade Coffee Bar is just one of many businesses that do more than just pull delicious shots seven days a week––they work hard to ensure every interaction brings their customers a sense of comfort, community pride and neighbourly love.
Morning Parade Coffee Bar opened its doors in the spring of 2019. Owners Elektra and Paul wanted to combine their passion for coffee and quality, locally-sourced food with their desire to serve their community. While many businesses view their patrons simply as customers, Morning Parade aims to provide a homey environment for their beloved neighbours––and to provide support for other local businesses too.
Morning Parade Coffee Bar is the epitome of a lively neighbourhood coffee shop... and then some. They serve their Beach Hill community and they are staffed and owned by fellow Upper Beach-area residents. In addition to preparing and selling their own menu items each day, Morning Parade strives to support other local businesses by having a small market area set up near the front of their cafe. Guests can browse locally-sourced items, from sauces to fresh breads, to handmade gifts and coffee accessories, while they wait for their order.
Like most businesses––especially small and new ones––Morning Parade had to dodge several curveballs during the pandemic. At the time of the first wave, they had only been in business for 10 months and had to learn to adjust to a coffee shop life in a time of several lockdowns, restrictions and capacity limits. Although it was difficult to not see familiar smiles daily, the owners and staff at Morning Parade pivoted and rolled with the punches.
The Beach Hill community, though vibrant and full of love, faced several closures, and has been left with many empty storefronts desperate for revitalization since March 2020. Morning Parade, however, serves a unique purpose as one of the few specialty coffee shops in the Upper Beach area. Its bright, inviting presence serves as a beacon of promise for the future of one of Toronto's most loving and tight-knit communities.
"We've become a neighbourhood hub more than ever during the pandemic. For many families in the area, we are one of their only outings during the week," they shared.
The curated pantry and market concept at Morning Parade started at the beginning of the pandemic to serve customers and neighbours more than just delicious coffee, but also, other local products. In turn, this initiative helped attract attention to other local businesses when they needed it most.
During the summer months, Morning Parade welcomes their community to visit their quaint back patio (featuring a gorgeous mural) and enjoy all that their menu has to offer. Morning Parade serves up high-quality coffee and espresso drinks year-round, along with their famous Blondies that are sure to satisfy any sweet tooth, an array of other baked goods and breakfast sandwiches. In the summer months, they offer an range of cold beverages for all ages and mouthwatering popsicles. Morning Parade Coffee also has dairy-free milk options, plant-based breakfast sandwiches and other items available that will appeal to all guests, even those with certain dietary restrictions.
Morning Parade aims to be a space that is welcoming, inclusive and positive for all. While indoor and patio dining is not currently an option due to provincial restrictions, they remain optimistic looking forward to 2022, and are happy to serve their customers on a takeout basis for the time being.
If you're a Beach Hill local or looking to support local businesses in a beautiful Toronto community, head over to Morning Parade Coffee Bar located at 1952 Gerrard Street East, just off of Woodbine Avenue, for some rich espresso, decadent treats and warm, neighbourly vibes.
