A sewing studio that doubles as a wine bar is opening in the Annex
Sharp needles and alcoholic beverages are an interesting mix
Located in the former Annapurna Vegetarian Restaurant space, Sew Bar—expected to open by late August—is a two-storey, 4,000-square-foot creative hub that combines a retail boutique for emerging and established designers, rentable workspaces, sewing classes and workshops, a Bernina machine dealership, and a café and wine bar.
Mina Yoon, owner of the Annex’s forthcoming venture, has been at the forefront of design and independent retail in Toronto for nearly a quarter century. The Korean-born entrepreneur opened Eko, her influential Queen West jewellery boutique, in 1998, helping to shape the city’s independent fashion scene. Yoon became known not only for her discerning eye but also for the boutique’s striking minimalist interior, which garnered design awards and was featured in architecture publications.
In 2019, Yoon decided she was ready for a change and permanently closed Eko. Restless and eager to learn something new, she enrolled in sewing courses at George Brown and quickly found herself immersed in a growing community of aspiring designers, makers and alteration experts. It didn’t take long for her to fall in love with the craft. What began as an idea for a small sewing club in her home soon outgrew her living room, planting the seed for Sew Bar.
“I want to provide an elevated space for the community of crafters I’ve come to love,” says Yoon. “But I also think it’s important for the next generation of Torontonians to understand what it means to spend time making a garment, so fashion doesn’t become just another cycle of constant consumption.”
Despite the closure of the beloved Make Den in 2020 and the Workroom’s move to Sprucedale, Ontario, Yoon is confident in her ability to make a go of it. “It’s about sewing, for sure, but also about creating an experience and an environment, and I hope that’s economically viable,” she says.
Workshops will run from morning until evening (hence the need for a café and a little vino), with as many as three taking place simultaneously, ensuring that creativity is always on the menu. “Kids have countless recreational activities where they get to make art, build things and learn new skills, while adults mostly have bars,” says Yoon. “I wanted to create a place where they could do both—have a drink, a small bite and sew at the same time.”
All we can add is: don’t forget your thimbles. A tipple and a zigzag stitch can be a dangerous combination.
Erin Hershberg is a freelance writer with nearly two decades of experience in the lifestyle sector. She currently lives in downtown Toronto with her husband and two children.
