As spring weather rolls into Toronto, denizens of the Church-Wellesley Village won’t be seeing only greenery from the flora; it’ll also be served up for lunch where the Yogen Früz once stood.
Freshii, the Canadian health-inclined food chain, is opening a location on Church Street later this year.
“We are very excited to open in the Church-Wellesley Village,” says a representative, who would not give her name, from the Freshii franchise. “We feel that this mission of healthy eating fits right into the vibrant community here.”
Abandoned storefronts along the Church Street strip have recently been seeing new life, as Xtra reported last month.
Freshii is one of two chain restaurants making their way to the area. North of Brooklyn Pizzeria is opening a new location under Woody’s in the space previously occupied by Flatirons. A large financial institution is rumoured to be bidding on the real estate that once housed Priape and 7-24, but nothing has yet been confirmed for that space.
Though the neighbourhood BIA appears to be experiencing some internal problems, the influx of new businesses would seem to bode well for the association. Freshii’s rep says it has not yet had contact with the BIA: “We’re very involved with our local communities, so it’s certainly something we would consider.”
The Church Wellesley Village BIA did not respond to Xtra’s request for comment.