Major Treat

OUR ARTICLE

The DC-based hardcore punk band, Minor Threat were known for their razor sharp and blazing fast style. Their albums were filler-free bursts of energy that destroyed the stereo systems before anyone could even ‘turn it up to eleven’. Minor Threat’s brand was streamlined and immediately identifiable –  two qualities that hold true to a Toronto coffee shop that looked to the band for inspiration – Major Treat.

Using a play on words based on a hardcore punk band seems like a recipe for disaster for any type of business, yet this shop has quickly established itself as the go-to spot for a caffeine fill on-the-go.

The rich in-house drip is brewed to perfection and makes the swill at the Mermaid-logoed chain down the street taste like hot bean water filtered through an ashtray.

The Ferrari-red entrance of the shop is instantly recognizable and grabs the attention of each passerby on the ever-busy Queen Street. At Major Treat, efficiency is key. They’re housed in the front entrance of Toronto’s Town Barber, occupying no more than 75 square feet of space. The combination of coffee shop and barbershop feels more like a clubhouse; if the owners somehow find space for a bar, you may never have to leave. There is seating for two indoors along with a simple bench on outside the front window. It is on this simple bench that any caffeine-guzzling Torontonian can kick back and relax as every type of millennial walks by – perhaps play a game of tattoo bingo… Anchor, check. Mermaid, check. Japanese carp, check. Face tattoo – BINGO!

Major Treat uses a custom blend of beans from Toronto’s Pig Iron Coffee Roasters. The super-charged blend hits harder than most and is the caffeine equivalent to a hardcore punk track from the shop’s namesake. The rich in-house drip is brewed to perfection and makes the swill at the Mermaid-logoed chain down the street taste like hot bean water filtered through an ashtray.

Show up early, grab some real estate outside, drink your caffeinated beverage of choice and judge those who walk by. Or not. But if you find yourself exploring Toronto’s West End, Major Treat is the spot to crank your day to eleven before you pound the pavement.