Cafes
The Bandit Coffee Group
The Bandit is hoping to become a one-stop morning shop for the Upper Beaches and Danforth East communities. While on its opening day it offers simply coffee and baked treats, co-owner Kirk Stratakos tells me its roster of goods and services is soon to expand.
"We're going to a get a fridge," he says, pointing to a mostly-vacant wall, "and we'll have ready-made sandwiches and other things to grab-and-go." He goes on to explain that Bandit's vintage red carousel, currently occupying central floor space and offering take-home bags of coffee beans and loose-leaf tea, will shortly be stocked with other "convenience items" to keep you satiated throughout the day.
Of course, coffee and sandwiches isn't that usual. But dropping off your dry cleaning at the same place you get your morning espresso is. Bandit has partnered with TSC Wet Clean, an eco-friendly "wet cleaner" in Mississauga, and hopes to become a depot in about five to six weeks.
"We'll have garment bags here," Kirk says, laying out the concept, "and customers can drop off their clothes when they come by in the morning. The cleaners will pick them up each day and communicate with the customers via email, who can decide to have their clothes delivered to their home or back here."
Kirk says the cost will be market price and the goal is simply to offer convenience to the customer. All things considered, I was pretty impressed with the idea, and asked Kirk where he came up with the concept. "Right here," he says, grinning, tapping on his forehead. I notice a few other sources of ingenuity I scan the café, including a refurbished worn door serving as a menu board, and an old wooden crate, which Kirk says used in shipping Bandit's espresso machine, repurposed as a table for the café's back armchairs.
Kirk and his business partner, Tracy Loyson, wanted to keep the emphasis on local, so they've sourced their beans from Te Aro and tea from Steeped and Infused. The menu consist of typical drinks including espresso ($2.38), Americano ($2.86) and latte ($3.81), as well as the kiddie-cino ($3.05) of steamed milk and optional flavouring and baked goods from Cake Couture.
Barista Mike pulls a really great shot for my Americano, leaving lots of room for milk (regular, soy, lactose-free, or almond). While I usually leave the sugar out, I opted to try one of Bandit's infused sugars (I went for the jar with the vanilla bean), which I thought was a really nice touch. The coffee had a lovely bold flavour (characteristic of Te Aro's "big-bro") and finishes strong. The pleasure would only be improved, I can imagine, by unloading an armful of dry cleaning.
The Bandit Coffee Group offers free WiFi and is open 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. every day.
Photos by Jesse Milns
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Although I don't live in the neighbourhood anymore, growing up at Woodbine and Gerrard could be dismal to say the least. Many of the commercial spaces along the south strip of Gerrard, west of Woodbine, went unused for years and had trash heaped high in the windows, or they were converted into slapdash residential units. Glad to see businesses are moving in again -- it's the healthy sign of neighbourhood growth!
Be sure to play nicely with the Upper Beach Cafe - the more the merrier.
Looking forward to dropping in for an espresso the next time I'm on my way to visit my folks.
Congrats on your hard work, no doubt it will pay off. Can't wait to have my first "americano... Half full" and bask in the sunlight through your vintage leaded glass facade.
Xo - well done!
Novel concept, and it'll have me as a customer.
unusual. :)
I am Kirk, one of the owners of the Bandit. Not sure which day you were in last week. I only work on the weekends typically.
Regardless, I am sorry to hear about your experience. I can assure you that my staff, partner and I, appreciate all of our customers business and feedback.
I will be working again on Saturday so you can come in anytime so we can make it right. You can also grab one of our business cards from the counter and contact me directly.
Sincerely
Kirk
All we need now is a butcher's, green grocer's and post office and this kooky neightbourhood will be perfect.
Who would have thought the best coffee in TO would be found in Woodgerville!?
Winter hrs as of December 1st to March 1st
Mon-Fri 7am-6pm
Sat-Sun 8:30am-6pm
Join our FB page for updates.
Thanks!
Kirk
(thebandit)
We will be extending our hours very soon. Stand by.
seem like everyone,
including my wife,
is looking for it