charles at church toronto

Longstanding Church St. restaurants wiped out because of condo

A once lively small block of businesses along Church Street in Toronto has fallen dark and silent. Well, almost.

Shortly after Lola’s Kitchen closed their doors suddenly with pretty much no notice to staff, El Rinconcito next door in the same building posted to their Facebook page that the same condo development was putting them out of business too.

The lone business that remains operational is Asahi Sushi, standing between a tower of mini-spas now plastered with an ad for the upcoming condo, and the long-shuttered Spirits.

The condo development stops right before their property. They should remain open for the foreseeable future.

charles at church

A rendering of the 47 storey Charles at Church.

At 68 Charles St. E, the incoming 47-storey mixed-use building, The Charles at Church, will contain retail space, 20 rental units and 400 condo units, with the original heritage structures at the base.

Lead photo by

Amy Carlberg


Latest Videos



Latest Videos


Join the conversation Load comments

Latest in Eat & Drink

Win free ice cream for the summer and a Chapman's chest freezer

People in Ontario have mixed feelings about The Beer Store's monopoly ending

The 10 hottest new bars in Toronto right now

Canadians prefer shopping at these grocery stores during Loblaws boycott

Shoppers are roasting No Frills for chip sale sign offering one cent savings

People worry alcoholic drinks will be way more expensive at convenience stores in Ontario

Eataly is opening a 4th Toronto location at the Eaton Centre

Shake Shack announces opening date for first Toronto location