Boxcar Social: Coffee and Wine are great, Why not have both?!

adelaidestrachan
Jun 20, 2022
2 min read

Front of coffee shop — Image @boxcar_social

Melbourne, the epicentre of all that is good and righteous when it comes to coffee (according to this writer, and I'm guessing a good portion of the Australian coffee loving population), is also known to hide their best kept secrets down laneways, on a must-know-a-local-to find-them rooftops, and in unassuming buildings.

We love a hidden gem in this house! Enter Boxcar Social Laneway, their newest location nestled in the back alley behind College St, off Markham.

Boxcar Social Laneway Menu — Image @adelaideclare

Boxcar has been around since 2014 with Summerhill being their first endeavour, but this location is a real advancement in how Toronto accesses their coffee needs and enjoys it in a relaxed and exciting way. As you pass through the white exterior you’ll find yourself in a small and cosy space surrounded by coffee paraphernalia, books and records, with the coffee bar at the far end.

Mug of coffee and water on a wooden tray — Image @adelaideclare

My flat white ($5.90) was served with water on the side on the sweetest wooden Japanese style tray. The coffee was strong and flavourful. Coffee always seems to be different, maybe a bit special, in a ceramic mug. My partner had a chocolate chip cookie ($4.50) that was moist and sweet, sourced from locals Courage Cookies.

Summerhill; the mother location boasts a cute back patio as well as a spacious indoor seating area. The space, a former dry cleaners, brings a bohemian vibe to a neighbourhood that can otherwise be quite dry and stuffy. Before the sun has set a lively crowd can be seen enjoying the large selection of wines until late on Fridays and Saturdays.

A row of five wine bottles — Image @boxcar_social

As a direct result of the pandemic, Ontario’s very strict liquor laws changed to allow some businesses to sell alcohol (mostly wine and beer) to help substitute the massive loss their business was experiencing. Boxcar Social has run with this side hustle, and not only sells boutique and local wine and beers, with a focus on natural and biodynamic varieties, but also run a wine club that gives members the option of three, six or twelve bottles of rotating wines a month.

Wines imported directly by Boxcar Wine Imports are included in these packages, so you receive wines not available anywhere else. In addition to the wine, Wine Club Members will also have first access to Boxcar events and educational programs to take their wine knowledge to the next level.

Locations: 5

Website: https://boxcarsocial.ca/

Socials: @Boxcar_Social

Locations I’ve Visited...

Laneway

298 Markham Street (in the laneway)

Monday- Sunday: 9 am - 4 pm

Summerhill

1208 Yonge Street

Monday, 8am - 4pm

Tuesday, 8am - 5pm

Wednesday to Thursday, 8am - 10pm