Grape Witches Brings Their West End Charm to the Waterworks Food Hall
Offering more than 250 organic and biodynamic wine selections, the shop is a natural addition for the Food Hall’s culinary curious
Toronto’s beloved hub for natural wines, Grape Witches, has unveiled a new location in partnership with the recently opened Waterworks Food Hall by Woodcliffe Landmark Properties. But this isn’t your typical bottle shop and wine bar; it’s a carefully curated experience featuring a selection of over 250 organic, biodynamic, and natural wines, complemented with a thoughtfully designed space inside the repurposed heritage building.
Grape Witches is also the city’s most unique Wine Club, offering a fully customizable and expertly curated monthly pack at various price points.
Grape Witches, founded in 2015 by Nicole Campbell and Krysta Oben, began as a collective hosting educational events to demystify the world of natural wines. Almost a decade later, they have grown into a trusted source for wine lovers and curious drinkers, with their first bottle shop and wine bar opened on Dundas West in 2020. Their new downtown location, designed by Futurestudio, is situated within the 55,000-square-foot Waterworks Food Hall in Toronto’s King West District. “We recognized that Grape Witches could bring the same unique offering they have on Dundas West to Waterworks, catering to a different clientele and thriving in an environment we felt would perfectly suit their brand,” says Eve Lewis, CEO of Woodcliffe Landmark Properties.
The Grape Witches team, led by founders Krysta Oben and Nicole Campbell, at the new Waterworks Food Hall wine bar.
Wine accessories and decor make for a curious shopping experience.
Colourful bottles of natural wine adorn the shop shelves.
Millwork throughout the space, showcasing the interiors of Grape Witches, comes courtesy of Marca Millwork, with general contracting by Atlas Construction.
“Patinaed copper adds a warm, aged feel, enhancing the space’s character,” says Mitchell.
For Campbell, getting the opportunity to open a second location at Waterworks felt kismet. “A few of us live in the area and were thrilled to see Waterworks go up. We’d been looking for the right second location for a few years and immediately wondered, could we be inside?” she says. “When we got the email weeks later asking if we’d like a tour, it felt like fate.”
Stools, Paul Georgio.
Both familiar and exciting, the space offers a cozy setting with a whimsical touch, bringing Grape Witches’ original West End charm to the bustling Downtown Core. Inside, the colour palette is a symphony of warm neutrals, with natural wood tones contrasting beautifully with pops of vibrant greens and earthy browns. “We wanted our new space to have a nod to our Dundas West location, like a grown up big sister,” says Campbell.
The Grape Witches shop was designed with space for product browsing and mingling in the vibrant community hub.
Ali McQuaid Mitchell, Founder of Futurestudio, integrated Grape Witches’ imaginative spirit through thoughtful and eclectic material choices. “Wine-stained wood became a nod to the product itself, while three different reclaimed off-cut natural stones were incorporated to highlight sustainability and beauty in imperfection,” says Mitchell.
The art installations, done by local artists including Paul Georgio, Katie Kohls, Susan for Susan, and Laura Dawe, add unique touches to the sleek interior, along with custom furnishings, an eight-seat rail bar, and bespoke shelving.
Grape Witches at Waterworks, 15 Maud St. Toronto, waterworksfoodhall.com/restaurants/grape-witches
