Toronto grocery store and restaurant set to host morning parties, pilates event

Upscale supermarkets aren’t just for shopping and eating; they’re also, it seems, places for gathering. 

Recently, global Italian marketplace Eataly, a growing grocery and restaurant chain that just opened a brand new 25,000-square-foot store in the Eaton Centre, announced plans to host a 19+ morning (and early afternoon) event at its flagship location in Toronto’s swanky Yorkville neighbourhood. 

Today, Eataly announced the launch of Morning Blend, a coffee social that will feature coffee bars, cocktails, an Italian breakfast box, DJ sets and more. 

The event, which kicks off at 10 a.m. and wraps up at 1 p.m., costs $59 per person. 

“A morning party celebrating coffee culture, weekends, and connection – featuring coffee, cocktails and DJ sets. This January, we’re kicking off the weekend the Italian way,” the event’s website reads, adding that the Jan. 31 event is “inspired by Italy’s iconic morning traditions.” 

The event, which will take place in the store’s Vergnano Cafe and La Spritzeria, is ticketed, with each ticket including a welcome drink, two specialty drink tokens for fancier caffeine beverages (think lattes or cappucinos) and “coffee-forward cocktails” (such as espresso martinis), unlimited drip coffee, the breakfast box and a “winter photo op moment.” 

While it might seem unorthodox to host a boozy social in a grocery store, the concept isn’t new. Late last year, popular Filipino supermarket Seafood City, which boasts locations in Mississauga, Scarborough and other Canadian cities, nabbed headlines for hosting late-night parties with DJs, dancing and street food. 

Eataly is also looking to capitalize on upcoming Galentine’s Day celebrations with Eataly Flow, a Feb. 8 event at the brand’s Yorkville location that will include a 50-minute all-levels Pilates flow class and Italian-style brunch in the store’s La Piazza restaurant. 

The tickets for the event, which cost $85, include the class, brunch at a communal table and complimentary juice from Village Juicery.