Red Rocket Diaries

Shamrocket!

2012-03-13T15:27:00.001-04:00

Enjoying March Break?! Rocking Saint Patty's Week?! Celebrate for only $1 with these little guys.

Show us your flair!

2012-03-13T15:24:00.001-04:00

Unique, hand-drawn buttons by our Danforth barista Natasha are now available at the shop! Sport a robot, astro-cat, or other space creature, and show Red Rocket Coffee your support.

(Pay-What-You-Can. Suggested: $1.)

Natasha's excited about buttons!

Danforth's manager Natalie is spreading the love to our LGBT community!

One of our regulars, making sparks fly with a robot-rocketeer.

Happy March!!!

2012-03-09T13:10:00.008-05:00

Happy March! We have some new additions to the Logan location!

First of all...A SIGN! Now you can find us!

Pop by this Saturday and have our new barista Hanna whip you up her favourite London Fog. We’re also happy to be serving Red Rocket’s famous Bacon & Egg Breakfast Empanadas every morning, but make sure you get here early because they’re notorious for selling out daily!

As the warm weather inches closer we look forward to opening up our garage doors to our sunny patio where you can enjoy your delicious treats while enjoying the lovely spring weather. Due to popular demand our signature carrot-zucchini-bran muffins are back at the shop as well. Hungry for breakfast? We have bagels! You can choose from our home-made strawberry-banana and blueberry-banana jams or good ol' PB, cream-cheese or butter.

Our artsy baristas have been busy bees and I even got the chance to record two music videos here in our shop last weekend! (Click here to see them.) We red-rocketers are super supportive of the arts and even have an official Red Rocket Colouring Book created by Liako. Come on by and ask for some crayons with your coffee and get colouring!

Cheers,

Alanna

Mmmmarch!

2012-03-01T08:09:00.002-05:00

Happy March Everyone!

401 Logan

2012-02-27T11:36:00.001-05:00

Hello from 401 Logan!!!

It’s been a super busy past few weeks setting up the new location here at Dundas and Logan. We three ladies, that have been holding down the café-fort for the past few months, are happy to join the Red Rocket team and welcome our manager Jonny to his new digs. Not only can you enjoy your favourite Red Rocket beverages and goodies here, but you can also pick up fresh flowers from our adorable florist Kate Hardy. While you’re at it, pick up some original music recorded by our very own baristas! We’re also serving your favourite wraps everyday, and hearty chili on Fridays. This place really has it all!

We’ve been welcomed by so many of the original location’s regulars and hope to see more of you coming out to enjoy a latte or two on our cozy couches. We can’t wait for this weather to get even better so we can open up the giant door to our sunny patio.

The next time you’re in the area, stop by and say hi!

Alanna

View Larger Map

They're baaa-aaack.

2012-02-27T08:12:00.002-05:00

You asked for it...we delivered!

BREAKFAST EMPANADAS ARE BACK

Our famous, flaky, savory treats are back on the counter today!

Try a bacon and egg or a black bean and cilantro.

We also featured mini cupcakes for only $1 over the weekend, and they were a hit! Expect them next weekend at our Danforth location.

And speaking of the Danforth location - unfortunately we will only be open from 7AM - 1PM on Thursday, March 1st, for shop maintenance. We apologize for the inconvenience. But, that doesn't mean you can't visit us bright and early! And if you're still craving a Red Rocket, Hot Blondie, or a Dirt & Worms in the afternoon, what a perfect opportunity to visit our Logan and Wellesley locations!

Huzzah!

- Natasha

Red Rock'em

2012-02-21T15:55:00.002-05:00

"EXTRA! EXTRA!" (And then some extra!)

2012-02-12T11:20:00.002-05:00

Whew!

It’s been a busy week here at the Rocket!

So I (your friendly neighbourhood barista) am here to report what’s been brewing!

First order of business – R.C.C. made yet another appearance on BlogTO. Click here to read a very flattering article about our new location on Logan.

In other news, our Danforth location is making an effort to go greener. Now, instead of wooden stir sticks, we’ll be using a “clean spoon” / “not-so-clean spoon” system to avoid additional waste.

And, we are excited to announce a joint effort with Circles & Squares bakery who now supplies us with awesome salted caramel brownies and delectable butter tarts, among other treats. They are so yummy - Natalie and I split one the other day and just had to split a second one, because half was not enough! But don’t worry – your old favourite fresh-baked goods are still available and made on site. Our beloved original scones have made a triumphant return, so keep an eye out for those little triangles of delight.

But the best news of all is that R.R.C. just introduced our very own new signature blend! Our RED PHOENIX is a dangerously dark French Roast that is deeper than our Deep Space, but far from bitter - with half Nicaraguan (my personal favourite) and half Brazilian beans. As one of our Twitter followers put it, “Red Phoenix is the perfect name for your signature blend. You rose from the ashes on Queen Street and opened two new cafés.” Thanks @syncros – you get us!

And to end things off, one of our new regulars on The Danforth informed me that February is “NaHaiWriMo” (haiku-a-day month) so I wrote a little R.R.C. inspired poem in honour of it.

Espresso grinding

The smell of baked goods rising

Fueling the masses

That's all for now!

- Natasha XO

Yay! 401 Logan RRC is now open!!!

2012-02-02T15:22:00.002-05:00

...and Pam and I (along with all who've helped us out) are "T" to the "I" to the "RED"...

Take a look below...

We're still waiting on some signage for the outside but we hope you can still find us till then.

401 Logan Ave...north east corner of Logan and Dundas.

Right next to Kate Hardy Flowers...where you can get some beautiful floral arrangements!

(Liako: "Hope you like the plug, Kate".

Kate: "Thanks Liako, it's great!")

What a ride the past 3 months have been...

2012-01-28T12:35:00.002-05:00

Wow...

What a crazy past 3 months.

We went from 2 stores to 1 store, back up to 2 stores and now getting ready for a 3rd.

An eager bright-eyed bushy-tailed kid thinking of getting into this business asked me what's the best advice I could give him about opening a store.

I said, "Don't".

It truly is a commitment of passion. You have to love what you do to succeed.

Being a little crazy helps.

The welcome we've received on the Danforth has been awesome. The neighbourhood has embraced us with open arms.

We're also very excited about our new Logan & Dundas location. You will be able to enjoy a patio once again!

And of course the Wellesley RRC. Our store with the hip, modern urban vibe. A small store but a great design that makes it all work.

I want to thank all our baristas and non baristas for all their hard work in making all this happen. I'm proud to be working with the team that we have.

Oh...

Keep an eye out for our new signature Red Rocket Coffee whole bean. It'll be in tribute of endurance against our recent challenges.

We've risen from the ashes with not 1 but 2 stores! Yay!

It'll be our darkest and boldest yet!

We'll release the name when it's time.

Red Rocket Coffee is opening our 3rd location!

2012-01-26T15:04:00.002-05:00

Alright, so you may have guessed it. The team at Red Rocket Coffee is thrilled to announce our return to Leslieville! On February 1st, we will be opening our 3rd location at 401 Logan Ave. (corner of Dundas St. E.).

http://g.co/maps/7g3gq

Pop by to say hello and while you're at it, stick around for a great cup of coffee!

We knew we'd be back soon...

Big, big news for Red Rocket Coffee

2012-01-25T19:19:00.001-05:00

Check back tomorrow to find out our big news! In the meantime, here's a song you might like:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3FI2tTNjrUI&feature=fvst

'Till tomorrow, dear friends.

Guess who's in the news again? Red Rocket Coffee is! Twice.

2012-01-23T14:26:00.001-05:00

Danforth Gem – Red Rocket

January 22, 2012 by decadiaries

Thanks to Sarah Kiriliuk for this Danforth Gem….

Danforth East denizens who consider coffee a secondary food group have already started to line up for their daily brews at the newly opened Red Rocket coffee at 1364 Danforth, just west of Monarch Park.

Those already familiar with the aromatic roasts of the famed Leslieville coffee house know that their coffee is second to none. Although the Leslieville location was forced to close, their loss is Danforth’s gain. The new Danforth location resides in the space formerly belonging to Three’s Company Two and Niche. A minor facelift has transformed the space into a cozy and chic spot on the strip to get your daily dose of java. There is an an antique children’s school desk in front of the fireplace and archived prints of the real red rocket framed along the wall. We shouldn’t forget to mention that there is lots of room for stroller parking!

The coffee and espresso offerings are partnered with a selection of treats and sandwiches, with more menu items on the horizon. Here’s a hint: blueberry bran muffins are not always that appealing, but the ones found here are worth writing home about!

If you’re looking for a place to answer emails or get some work done, Red Rocket offers free Wifi – look for the passcode on an antique chalkboard on the wall.

And the final bonus is the cheery staff behind the counter. A handful of former Three’s Company Two employees stayed on with Red Rocket, so you will still be seeing familiar faces at the espresso machine.

For news and updates, read the Red Rocket blog: http://redrocketcoffee.blogspot.com/.

http://decadiaries.wordpress.com/2012/01/22/danforth-gem-red-rocket/

Red Rocket (Danforth)

Posted by Robyn Urback / Reviewed on January 20, 2012

11 Comments

Red Rocket (Danforth) is the original Leslieville location transposed. After five strong years on Queen East, the cafe's owners say they had no choice but to leave their former location. "Basically," Pamela MacDonald says as we take a seat on the first day of the Danforth opening, "the landlord wanted double the rent. Which, we know, is not market value. It's not a fair price."

"There were lots of games," she continues, commenting on how she saw the landlord (Queen Street Partners, which also owns the Toronto Standard) conduct his business. "And it was more than just how it ended — in that way, it was a very unhappy five years."

The relationship Red Rocket had with the Leslieville community, however, was anything but unhappy, and many loyal customers were heartbroken to see them leave. "We left out a guest book," co-owner Liako Dertilis says, taking a seat to join the conversation. "And some of the things people said; it was really emotional." "People met their life partners in our cafe. We watched kids grow up. Really, we're still trying to digest it all."

Pamela and Liako had all of seven weeks to get out and find a new place, and I could certainly see the residual stress in their faces. They managed to find this new spot on Danforth just east of Greenwood by following up on a tip from "Bob," the notorious espresso machine repairman used by many independent Toronto cafes. The first steps included getting in those splashes of red rocket colour, installing an awesome window bar made from reclaimed wood from a rubber factory, and doing their best to make the transition as easy as possible on their customers.

That gentle transition, of course, means keeping the coffee just the same, and my Americano ($2.40/$2.95/$3.45) is pulled using the same Reunion Island blend, and it tastes just as bold and full-bodied here as on Queen East. Granted, the corner spot in Leslieville sure was a great place to kick back, especially in the spring when the sun would saturate the cafe through the windows, but Pam and Liako have done a great job in making the new space feel bright, modern, and open. Along with the regular pastries and baked goods, Red Rocket has plans for a weekend baked brunch, as well as possibly applying for a liquor license and extending hours in the evenings.

Though they're happy in their new spot, Pamela and Liako say they know their departure shook some of their former neighbours, especially those who occupy buildings owned by the same landlord. "It's scary when a successful business is pushed out by a difficult landlord," Pamela says. "I know some of them are worried."

Liako and Pamela are now focused on creating the same sort of community feel they had in Leslieville at this Danforth location. "A coffee house should be like a pub, but with coffee," Liako says. "And while we do have great coffee, I think it's more about the service, the personal attention, the sort of feel you provide. It's all about building a community, and we're hoping to do that here."

Photos by Jesse Milns

http://www.blogto.com/cafes/red-rocket-toronto-danforth

Natalie was right...our Danforth location is opening January 12, 2012!

2012-01-11T21:46:00.001-05:00

After a couple of exhausting weeks of moving, painting, building, unpacking, cleaning...you get the idea...we're officially open for business!

Our hours of operation at our 1364 Danforth location are:

M - F 7:30am - 6pm

Sat 8am - 6pm

Sun 8am - 5pm

We think. For now. Until you dictate otherwise.

Same phone number - 416.406.0880

Check out our new home:

Wow. We sure are pooped! But as usual, you will see our smiling faces, bright and early tomorrow morning. A good night's sleep should take care of all this...

Don't come too early tomorrow...we might still be in bed recovering! After 9 would be awesome.

Danforth location is SO close to opening. We can barely contain ourselves!!

2012-01-09T19:34:00.001-05:00

So? Whaddya think? Not too shabby for our new home, we'd say! The Red Rocket Coffee team has been working very hard for the past couple of weeks to get the Danforth location ready for you. We can't wait to throw the doors open and greet you every day with a smile and your favourite beverage in hand.

OMG!!! Natalie says we just might be open by this Thursday, January 12th. Check back to see if she's right.

TTFN, LOL and all that.

Danforth location is allllllllllmost open...almost.

2012-01-07T19:06:00.001-05:00

We know you're waiting patiently for us to open, and we're trying our darndest to get the place ready for you! Just a few more days...

Stay tuned for updates.

We miss you!

Queen St. location is officially closed...but we're re-opening soon!

2011-12-30T18:33:00.001-05:00

Dear Friends of Red Rocket Coffee,

We thank you for making us a part of your routine and for your friendship, stories and occasional snuggles! We miss Leslieville already, but are looking forward to seeing your friendly faces at our new location @ 1364 Danforth Avenue real soon.

Not much to tell you except there's a lot of boxes that need unpacking.

Thank you to everyone who was able to join us on December 23rd for our last hoorah! All of those who weren't able to make it, we'll see you next time.

Stay tuned for updates on our progress. With any luck, we'll be crafting your favourite beverage for you in no time!

We miss you. Sniff.

The Entire RRC Team

Join us for our farewell party!!!

2011-12-14T12:33:00.001-05:00

For all our customers, friends (hell, anyone who's bought a coffee here) we're throwing a bittersweet bash and last "hurrah!". Pam and I poured our hearts and souls into the original Rocket...while we're sad to leave, we want to exit in a grand, happy, and celebratory fashion.

No one ever said we weren't convivial.

So please join us Friday, December 23rd for one last drink (cash bar, folks!) and toast to one heck of a neighbourhood coffee shop.

Be sure to have your name on our guest list! (Ontario laws and all...)

I'm getting all teary eyed already...

...and be sure to join us at our new digs on the Danforth!

Yay!

This year's first Movember-off raised.....

2011-12-03T13:32:00.001-05:00

OVER $1600 DOLLARS for Movember Canada!!!

Thanks to everyone who participated in this event. Especially our brave volunteers.

All I can say is I'm glad it wasn't me.

People really care! We're in the press again...

2011-11-30T08:18:00.001-05:00

Toronto Tasting Notes...Eat locally. Blog globally. Still a Chance to Save Red Rocket? Leslieville residents have been downcast at the news that Red Rocket Coffee 's original location at 1402 Queen Street East will be closing...

http://totastings.blogspot.com/2011/11/still-chance-to-save-red-rocket.html

December 1st from 5pm 'till late. Massive MOVEMBER OFF!

2011-11-25T10:00:00.001-05:00

MOVEMBER OFF! @ The Ceili Cottage
December 1, 2011
5pm 'till late
1301 Queen Street East

Join us, along with our good friends from The Ceili Cottage and The 10 Spot, to commemorate the end of Movember with MOVEMBER OFF! Our gracious (and brave) volunteers have agreed to get waxed for charity, right before your very eyes. Buy a strip, help a great cause. We'll also be raffling off 10 swag bags filled with manly goodies throught the evening.

All proceeds from this event will be donated to Movember Canada.

Hope you can join us for this cringe-inducing event!

Join us for Lesliville Wanderlust! Thursday, November 24 from 6 pm to 10 pm.

2011-11-23T11:45:00.000-05:00

Join us for live music, courtesy of our lovely barista Natasha Negovanlis.

In-store specials include 25% off all merchandise! Stock up on RRC Leslieville t-shirts, coffee beans and premium teas. Commuter mugs are on sale too!

It's gonna be a fun night. Don't miss out!

The Good, the Bad and the Ugly

2011-11-18T16:10:00.000-05:00

THE GOOD...

We're opening a new Red Rocket Coffee at 1364 Danforth Avenue (smack dab in the middle of Greenwood and Coxwell Ave.)!

http://maps.google.ca/maps?q=1364+Danforth+Avenue,+Toronto,+Ontario&hl=en&ll=43.682429,-79.328456&spn=0.006199,0.009645&hnear=1364+Danforth+Ave,+Toronto,+Toronto+Division,+Ontario+M4J+1M9&t=m&z=17&vpsrc=6

THE BAD....

We have to close our Leslieville location @ 1402B Queen Street East at the end of this year.

THE UGLY...

The "ugly" part is that we're leaving you, our loyal customers, friends, and extended family.

The neighbourhood has become a second family to us. We see your faces, happy or sad, every day. We've watched your families grow. We've made new friends. We've been your office space, your meeting place, all the while providing you with your drug of choice. We've made friends with your pets - even got them addicted to our homemade doggy treats.

We're so disappointed to be leaving the community, our friends and fellow independent businesses.

It's like we're leaving Sesame Street.

Sniff.

Pam's Movember moustache...week 3.

2011-11-15T14:56:00.000-05:00

It's Movember Time @ Red Rocket Coffee!!

2011-11-01T09:22:00.000-04:00

It's Movember and this year, along with Pam, we'll be shaving off our moustaches to regrow them all this month (I know it's kinda cheating 'cause I'm supposed to shave off all of my beard as well...but none of you really want to see a completely clean shaven me...trust me). We're selling packaged nuts AND a super cool Movember activity book (you just wait and see!)...with proceeds going to Movember Canada which supports Prostate Cancer Canada.

Above is me today...

...below was me yesterday.

We are a fun bunch...

2011-10-30T13:50:00.000-04:00

As you can tell from our Jack O' Lanterns below...

Above is our Queen Street pumpkin feeling the pressure...

...and the Wellesley one below just wants to say "Hello"...

..."is it me you're looking for?"

And remember...we have two spooky haunted houses for auction...

...only a couple of hours left to place yer bids!

Place your bids! Silent auction ends in just 6 days!!

2011-10-25T16:44:00.000-04:00

Run over an place your bid for one of the spookiest, scariest gingerbread mansions ever created! All proceeds will be donated to South Riverdale Community Health Centre & Casey House.

Your winning bid gets you a great gingerbread mansion AND a warm, fuzzy feeling of knowing you've helped out an amazing charitable organization.

So....place your bids! Time's a runnin' out...

Win a super-spooky gingerbread mansion ... just in time for your Hallowe'en party!

2011-10-20T16:16:00.000-04:00

You could be the lucky winner of a spooky gingerbread mansion, designed by Derek and hand-crafted in our very own RRC kitchen!

Two one-of-a-kind creations will be auctioned off - one at our Queen Street East location, and another at our Wellesley Street East location.

Bids for this SILENT AUCTION will be accepted in-store from October 20 to 30th. Last bid is at 4pm sharp on October 30th, just in time for Hallowe'en!

All proceeds from the SILENT AUCTION will be donated to two organizations Red Rocket Coffee is proud to support - South Riverdale Community Health Centre (http://www.srchc.ca/) and Casey House (http://www.caseyhouse.com/en/home/).

Please help us raise a good chunk of change for these amazing organizations!

This is Derek, the Architect.

We thank you for your stunning creations.

Our Thanksgiving Hours...for which I'm sure our baristas will give thanks...

2011-10-08T10:44:00.000-04:00

Because we like to eat turkey,

(read: we like to stay out late at night causing all sorts of mischief)

...and enjoy spending time with family,

(read: sleeping in till it's time to watch ABC's Afternoon School Special)

[bonus points if you know what I'm talking about]

...we'll be having special holiday hours this Thanksgiving.

The Queen Street store will be open, both Sunday and Monday, from 8am to 5pm.

Our Wellesley location will have the very special hours of 7am to 7pm on Sunday

(our regular hours)

and on Monday, 7am to whenever we feel like getting the heck outta there...

(count on 5 or 6pm or something like that)

Thank you for all your years of patronage and have a great Thanksgiving y'all!!!

Note: no animals were harmed in taking the above image...we think...

Theyyyy're baaa-aaack! Leslieville tees have returned!

2011-09-20T09:53:00.000-04:00

Oh joy, oh bliss!

Leslieville t-shirts are back by popular demand!

Show your love and represent your favourite coffee shop for just $19.95.

Women's tees available in navy blue with

baby blue logo (S-XL).

Men's tees available in chocolate brown with baby blue logo (S-XL).

Available at our Queen Street East location, while supplies last.

Our supercool new commuter mug!

2011-09-17T11:46:00.000-04:00

Infinity and Beyond!!!

Venture into space (or your car or the subway or strut down the street or on your pinko kook latte sipping elitist bicycle easing down those Jarvis bike lanes) with our new cool mugs that keeps it's tasty, tasty contents hot, Hot, HOT!

Perfect for the fresh autumn weather!

...and @ $19.95 you can share the uberness with a friend...

...you know, till the end.