Graination, a subterranean photography lab and coffee shop in Chinatown, is acting as a camera does and slowing down time for their customers. 

Stepping into Graination off the bustle of Spadina Avenue, you first enter the coffee shop portion of the space.

Descending down the stairs past a steaming espresso machine, you're greeted by a minimalist Japanese-inspired menu on the wall, charming and simplistic ceramics, and the rich smell of freshly ground beans.

The cafe operation is helmed by Viktor Wu, a seasoned barista who found prior cafes he worked in to run at far too rushed a pace for his liking.Finding it common that Toronto coffee shops operate inside creative businesses, like hair salons and vintage shops, Viktor felt compelled to combine his coffee experience with the photography lab ambitions of his friends Hao Cui and Neil Guo.

The three friends-turned-business partners were confident combining both passions into one space would foster that slowed down, appreciatory community hub they were craving within the city.Graination's drink menu consists of well-executed classics only, and they're served up using local roaster Hatch beans.

In the future, Viktor says they anticipate broadening to a 'world tour' of beans with different roasteries - specifically for their pour-over drink ($8, $12, $15 - depending on your bean of choice).

With their pour-over (a manual process of having water slowly seep through grounds, rather than forcefully intervening like most machines do) Graination aims to highlight beans with a more unique flavour profile.

Think: 'lavender, pomegranate, muskmelon' over your typical 'caramel, dark chocolate, cherry'.

Customers are encouraged to select a bean varietal of their choice for the drink and are given the chance to sniff the freshly roasted beans before the pour-over is crafted.

Rather than order your coffee and step away, Viktor is eager to include customers in the mindfullness of the process, the same way a sommelier asks a customer to sip their wine before the full pour.For our pour-over, Viktor selected the feature bean - without sharing the tasting notes.

When leaning in for a whiff of the fresh grinds, we were instantly hit with a vibrant rush of tangy red berries - and wouldn't you know, sure enough, the label read "raspberry and strawberry jam".

While an incredibly simple process, it's one that allows the everyday customer to momentarily delve into the tranquil world of coffee appreciation.

If the better known espresso/milk drinks are for you, Viktor's go-to recommendation is a flat white ($6) - two shots of espresso with a micro, bubblier foam.

In Viktor's words, this drink allows for the best balance between the textured, velvety milk and smooth espresso.

On that note of balance, Viktor shares that the coffee shop utilizes a practice many hardcore, thoughtful cafes do; they don't offer a variety of alternative milks.

Respecting allergies, of course, oat is on hand for anyone who can't have cow's milk, but they intend to keep it that way, ensuring the dairy selection is highly complementary to the coffee.

While you wait for your drink to be carefully prepared, the middle section of Graination is there to be explored by curious minds and encourage you to linger awhile.

One side of the space is hugged by shelves brimming with speciality and one of a kind photography books - several that co-founder Hao shares have been personally signed by artists.

The books rotate frequently, with Hao and his business partner, Neil, endlessly sourcing them to ensure their customers never tire of hanging out in the community space. 

Opposite to this currently stands a corkboard of pinned photographs, but Hao and Neil have big dreams for the wall.

Customers of the lab will be able to have their prints hung up in the space and listed for a consigned sale. The business partners are even optimistic about using the room as a function space, where gallery events can bring members of the art community together.

In the back of the space is Graination's semi-open film lab, where they do essentially every process imaginable, from digital to film - and on machines you can't find anywhere else in Ontario, sourced and picked up across the United States by Neil and Hao themselves.

The layout encourages customers to take a peak and not feel excluded from Graination's process - one where everything is done in-house.

"We're a top tier film lab," the business partners proudly share, noting they recognize even the slightest change in temperature and time can affect an image and they wouldn't risk altering that through someone else's involvement.

Along with providing accessibilty to machines you can't find anywhere else in Ontario - like the archival-level Colenta Processor in the centre of the space - Graination also offers a unique membership program to customers. 

Their "NERD" (standing for "Niche experts [in a] retro department") membership program offers a wide variety of benefits. 

"Specifically crafted for film enthusiasts seeking top-notch developing services," some notable perks from the program are their promise of a next-day turn around time and the offering of log and edited versions of a customer's film negatives.

In layman's terms; one colour and level corrected version of the photograph, and one completely raw version. 

While an unedited negative file may seem daunting to the untrained eye, Hao and Neil confidently believe in providing their customers with this opportunity. 

It's a showcase of Graination's passion for creating an environment that encourages people to pause their sense of urgency, and give in to slower moments of exploration and practice. 

Unique purchasable camera goods are available as well at a respectable price.

If you like what you see in some of the photography books on display, you're in luck. The guys have sourced film rolls based on noteworthy aesthetics - like offering the same film the famous movie 'In The Mood For Love' was shot on.

But the owners share they will always be service-forward first, and retail shop-second. 

"We're like a car repair shop," is their operation motto, uninterested in getting you to buy into something for the sake of a trend. 

Instead, the team's focus is on care and exectuion. Whether it be your morning coffee or photographs from a cherished moment, Graination is here to click the buttons that pause the world, and let you hold on to something special for a little longer.

Graination is located at 204 Spadina Ave, in the lower level.