Tue Dec 20, 2011
Food and Drink

Sam James opening third coffee bar in PATH

Top-notch barista Sam James is opening a third Sam James Coffee Bar, this time in the PATH beneath the Sun Life Financial building at 150 King St. W.

James, whose first two coffee shops are on the west end near Christie subway station (at 297 Harbord and 688 Bloor St. W.), says he’s been looking at opening in the Financial District for a while now and just signed the lease a week ago. “It’ll be an ultra-efficient operation,” he says, adding that the management staff from the Harbord and Bloor locations will be transferred to the new location to handle the high volume.

He is hoping for a February or March opening.

TAGS

post a comment

Nicky G

Sam’s a sellout?? Really?

This isn’t some shitty indie band you fell in love with, it’s just a coffee shop. You have no good reason to be pissed. Personally, I think it’s great that he’s opening up right by a starbucks (or 2nd cup or whatever who cares) in the Financial district. He’s a good guy with a good product, let him spread it around.

There’s nothing wrong with having a small local chain. We live in a big city with a lot of places selling horrendous cups of coffee.
3 1

Report

5:26 pm on June 2, 2012

Reply
Andrew

It is the end on May, and still not open. Sam?
0 0

Report

3:25 pm on May 29, 2012

Reply
Bob

From the same Torontoist article quoted above:

“Sam James: For me, customer service has always been about keeping it real. You don’t have to suck dick to make coffee, you know? I just can’t bring myself to serve people in a way that doesn’t feel comfortable to me.”

Looks like he is changing that policy. To which I say, sweet, can’t wait to get my D!ck sucked while I wait for my coffee!! Oh, I hope that wasn’t too douchy (douchie?)
5 3

Report

11:03 am on February 9, 2012

Reply
Gucc

I’m a total bay street douchbag scum and I super excited to get a real coffee under where I work. Can’t open a minute too soon so I can finally ditch the Starbucks card for true authenticity. Hurry ip and open!
2 2

Report

10:36 am on January 29, 2012

Reply
Jim Weiz

Good luck with the Bay Street Douchebags Sam. Hope you spent more than 10 thousand dollars to sell out. Oh wait it only cost your soul.
8 8

Report

2:51 pm on January 11, 2012

Reply
Jeff

top notch!
2 0

Report

9:24 pm on December 20, 2011

Reply
brown addict

great news – don’t really care where the new location is but finally being able to get some of those perfect pulls downtown, priceless.

don’t think this guy will have a problem telling any “asshole bay street types” to fuck off anyway.
6 3

Report

9:08 pm on December 20, 2011

Reply
ML

At what point does this become a chain?
3 2

Report

5:56 pm on December 20, 2011

Reply
Bartek

As the colder parts of winter approach and I’ve begun to learn the PATH network, this makes me happy.

I don’t know who Sam James is, but if my coffee-nerd filled Twitter stream is any indication, this is good news!
1 1

Report

3:41 pm on December 20, 2011

Reply
BBoy

“I don’t want to pay ten thousand dollars in rent to deal with Bay Street douchebags.” – Sam James
4 2

Report

3:15 pm on December 20, 2011

Reply

Jimbo

Yup, he said that in Torontoist – much likes those 99%’ers will soon realize, money talks, and BS walks
6 0

Report

5:42 pm on December 20, 2011
Jimbo

Where he said it:

http://torontoist.com/2011/02/i_want_your_job_sam_james_coffee_connoisseur/
1 0

Report

5:43 pm on December 20, 2011
Realist

don’t hate on a player for being successful in the game… it’s a smart move business wise.
8 1

Report

8:59 pm on December 20, 2011

Juscoz00

The PATH is a nightmare. I hope they’ll have fun having banker assholes screaming at them and telling them how to make coffee.
3 6

Report

3:15 pm on December 20, 2011

Reply

Adam

I’ll finally be able to get a good cup of coffee (somewhat) close to work!
4 0

Report

5:30 pm on December 20, 2011
Toddzilla

Why is the PATH a nightmare? I have worked downtown for 13 years and I love it.
4 0

Report

7:39 pm on December 20, 2011