Some of the best ideas begin around a kitchen table. For Robin Storfer and Tom Freeman, years of gathering with friends over food, wine, and conversation eventually evolved into Book Bar — a new literary-hospitality concept opening in Toronto’s Mirvish Village. Part independent bookstore, part neighbourhood bar, and part community hub, Book Bar is built around a simple premise: people need places to connect.
With shelves of carefully curated books, a thoughtfully designed drinks program, and a calendar of author talks, book clubs and cultural events, Book Bar is designed to encourage visitors to stay a little longer and engage a little deeper. Whether stopping in for a morning coffee, discovering a new favourite author or settling in for an evening conversation over a glass of wine, guests are invited to experience books as a catalyst for connection, curiosity, and community.
Ahead of the opening later this June, Schön! spoke with Storfer and Freeman to talk about creating meaningful spaces, building intentional community and bringing a long-held vision to life.
What was the original spark that led you to create Book Bar, and why did it feel like the right concept for Toronto right now?
Book Bar really started in a very personal way: in Robin’s kitchen. We’ve been friends for over twenty years, and so much of that time has been spent gathering with friends, sharing food, opening a bottle of wine, and having conversations that stretch late into the evening. That rhythm of showing up for one another was always at the centre.
The original idea was actually a wine bar. During COVID, when everything paused, it became very clear what we were missing most: spaces to gather, to linger, to feel connected without rushing. At the same time, books returned to people’s lives in a meaningful way. Our own book club became a lifeline. That’s when the idea really crystallized. The space we were looking for didn’t exist – a place where books and hospitality lived together naturally. It felt like the right concept for Toronto because people are craving that kind of connection again. A place that invites you to slow down, stay awhile, and feel part of something shared.
How did your backgrounds in literature, culture, and hospitality shape the vision for this space?
Our backgrounds are different, but they complement each other in a way that really shaped Book Bar. On Tom’s side, there’s a foundation in hospitality and design — understanding how a space operates, how people move through it, and how details like layout, materials, and service shape the overall experience. On Robin’s, there’s a deep grounding in people-first work — mental health, coaching, and community-building, which is really about creating environments where people feel safe, welcomed, and understood.
Book Bar lives at the intersection of those worlds. It’s not just about books or just about a bar – it’s about creating an experience that feels thoughtful, warm, and intentional, where people can connect with both the space and each other.
You describe Book Bar as a “third place.” What does that mean to you personally, and how does it translate into design and programming decisions?
To us, a “third place” is somewhere you feel received. It’s not home, it’s not work — it’s a space where you can exist comfortably, whether you’re alone or with others. That idea guided everything. In the design, it meant creating a layered environment with different zones: spaces for quiet reading, casual conversation, and larger gatherings. In programming, it meant ensuring events feel accessible and engaging, but never intimidating or overly formal. It’s about ease. You can come for twenty minutes or stay for hours, and both experiences feel natural and complete.
What were the earliest design ideas for the interiors, and how did those evolve into the final concept of a layered, tactile environment?
From the beginning, we knew we didn’t want the space to feel minimal or overly polished. We were drawn to something more nuanced: a space that reveals itself over time. There was a strong focus on how the space would feel. Years of working alongside designers and in hospitality informed that, but it was equally shaped by personal moments, like the comfort of a kitchen island, a couch, the places where people naturally gather. That evolved into a tactile, warm environment: natural materials, soft lighting, varied seating, and details that invite people to slow down and settle in. The goal was to create a space that feels familiar, even on a first visit.
How did you balance the dual identity of Book Bar as both a calm daytime bookstore and a lively evening bar?
We didn’t approach it as two separate identities, but rather as one space that shifts naturally throughout the day. During the day, it leans quieter; brighter, more open, and oriented towards reading and browsing. As the evening builds, the energy shifts. The lighting softens, the bar becomes more central, and the space becomes more social. It mirrors the rhythm of a gathering — something that starts calm and evolves organically. No matter when you come in, it still feels like Book Bar — just a different moment within it.
What role do natural materials, lighting, and “coziness” play in shaping how people feel when they walk in?
They’re foundational. Materials and lighting are what shape the emotional experience of a space before anything else. Natural materials bring warmth and grounding, while lighting sets the tone — whether that’s open and airy during the day or intimate and enveloping in the evening. For us, “coziness” isn’t about being small; it’s about comfort and ease. It’s that feeling where you walk in and instinctively want to stay.
How did you approach curating the book selection—especially the balance between new releases, local authors, and unexpected discoveries?
We approached the book selection the same way we approached the space: thoughtfully curated, but never rigid. There’s a balance between new releases, classic titles, and works from local and Canadian authors, alongside books that offer an element of surprise of discovery. We want the shelves to feel like a conversation — something that invites curiosity and encourages people to explore, not just find what they came in for.
What kinds of conversations or moments do you hope people will have inside Book Bar that they might not have elsewhere?
We hope it creates space for slower, more meaningful interactions — conversations that go beyond the surface level. That might come from a shared book, a recommendation from a staff member, or simply the energy of the room. It could also be quieter moments — sitting alone, reading, but still feeling connected to the space around you. Those in-between moments are what make a place feel special.
The programming includes author talks, book clubs, and community events. How did you decide what felt “right” versus too formal or intimidating?
We kept coming back to how we would want to experience it ourselves. We wanted programming to feel engaging, but never exclusive or pretentious. Intimate rather than formal. Something you can walk into without feeling like you need to prepare or belong to a specific group. It’s about lowering the barrier to entry and making cultural experiences feel approachable.
How do you envision the food and drink menu enhancing—not distracting from—the literary experience?
Book Bar is meant to be a place where people can enjoy both books and a good drink at the same time. Reading and conversation have always lived comfortably alongside food and wine, and we see the menu as part of that tradition, so the food and drink aren’t there to distract from the literary side of the space. They simply make it a place where people can enjoy both — the pleasures of books and the pleasures of the table — in the same moment.
What was the most challenging part of designing a space that needs to work equally well for reading, socializing, and events?
The biggest challenge was balancing those different modes without compromising any of them. A space that works well for events can feel too open or loud for reading, while a quieter space can feel limiting for social moments. So a lot of the focus was on flexibility — designing a space that can adapt throughout the day while still feeling cohesive.
How did you think about acoustics, seating, and layout to encourage both solitude and connection?
It came down to layering. We created a mix of seating – communal areas alongside more private, quiet spaces to allow people to choose how they want to engage with the space. Acoustics were also key. We wanted a sense of energy, but never something that feels overwhelming. It’s about creating a balance where solitude and connection feel equally natural.
What does “intentional community” mean to you in practice, and how do you protect that feeling as the space grows?
Intentional community means being thoughtful about every touchpoint — from the design of the space to how people are welcomed in. It’s not something that happens passively; it’s something you actively shape through programming, staff, and the overall experience. As the space grows, the focus will be on maintaining that sense of care — making sure it always feels warm, human, and grounded in genuine connection.
Are there any specific inspirations — bookstores, cafés, bars, or cultural spaces around the world — that heavily influenced Book Bar?
There are many spaces we admire — independent bookstores, neighbourhood cafes, intimate bars — but it’s less about any one place and more about the feeling they create. That sense of comfort, discovery, and connection. Our goal was to bring that feeling into a Toronto context in a way that feels authentic to the city.
When someone walks out of Book Bar after their first visit, what do you hope they’re thinking or feeling?
We hope they feel like they’ve found somewhere they want to come back to — that it felt easy, welcoming, and a little bit special. Maybe they discovered something new or had a conversation that stayed with them. Ultimately, we want it to feel like a place that becomes part of their routine — somewhere they can return to, again and again.
Learn more about Book Bar Toronto at bookbarto.ca.
words. Kelsey Barnes
