KIM'S CONVENIENCE · YELP ASSISTANT
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I was in Toronto for a business trip and just happened to drive by Kim's Convenience. I forgot the show was based in Toronto! I had to stop in for some pictures to just check the vibes. It's not the nicest part of town outside but that's sort of what you might expect for a random family owned Korean corner convenience store. Who knew Simu Liu would be such a big movie star!
Fans rejoice! Come see your favorite show storefront. But be warned. It is not located in the best area. While visiting, a woman under the influence was in a swearing rage and a nice man out front tried to nicely diffuse the situation. There were a lot of things going on on the street so we snapped a quick photo and left quickly. I would be careful wandering around here late at night. It is very fun to see the store that's signage was changed to reflect the show!
When planning a trip to Toronto, I knew this was one quick stop that would we had to visit. As many people have stated it is not in the greatest part of Toronto, but that's OK with me. There was parking on the side of the street which was easy. We got out took pictures and then of course went inside. I like how much the inside modeled the store on the show. We picked up a few items, because of course you should support the store if you are going to make it an attraction. We were taking some pictures and the lovely gentlemen behind the counter asked if we were fans of the show. When we told him YES, he showed us more pictures from the show and the cast at the store. He also offered us re-usable shopping bags for our items. He was too sweet. The store itself has a lot packed into the store, so there is something for everyone if you want a quick snack or a drink. I think this was a neat experience and a must for any fan of the show.
The original name of this convenience store is Mimi's Variety owned by a Korean couple. "Kim's Convenience" came about due to the popular 5-season show and they just went with it even after the show got canceled. They have your typical convenience store items: soda, chips, snacks, magazines. But they also have fresh fruits, toiletries, etc. There's an ATM inside the store but they take credit cards. They have souvenir shopping bags and shirts which I bought because I'm a sucker like that. I paid for my souvenirs and the owner was like "ok, see you!" I couldn't help but smile (if you ever watched the show then, you get it). I took the 501 street car to get here which was pretty easy. I must say it's not in the best neighborhood. Which explains the metal security window bars in every business in the area. People talking about cocaine ever so casually in broad daylight while waiting for the 501 street car to go back to my hotel. It was an adventure with 75% chance of getting shanked.
Watched the show Kim's Convenience and I have decided to check this store out with a friend. The store itself is located in a pretty run down or sketchy area but that doesn't stop us from visiting the store at all. The inside doesn't look anything like the show. As a matter of fact, I thought the store would be a lot bigger. The store inside has some of the Kim's Convenience merche and posters around. This is an actual convenience store where you expect to find candies, sodas, chips, grocery items/ household items etc for sale here. It was definitely nice to check out this place and be able to take a picture of us outside. We came during the night which I don't recommend if you are not familiar with the area.
This is the storefront that was featured in the CBC TV show of its namesake. As a fan of the show and it's progressive portrayal of minorities, it was hard not to admire the store and walk in. While the inside is not identical at all , it has the same family run vibe when you walk inside that you expect from the TV show. The surrounding area is a bit rundown, but don't let that stop you. To be honest, the show Kim's Convenience inspired us to move to Toronto because of the diversity that the city of Toronto has to offer.
So fun to see the store front from the show, Kim's Convenience. It's not in the greatest area but still worth the walk over. We did go in looking for rice for my phone, ugh, so we got to see the differences and similarities of the actual store and the show's store. Not the same inside other than they sell a lot of everyday items. Items are everywhere! If you're a fan of the show, check them out!
I had binge watched the show during the pandemic and when I invited to Toronto with my cousins, I knew I wanted to stop by. I will say it is not the best part of Toronto, but we still make the trek from the hotel. I am not positive on which bus and subway we took but it took time. Once we made it to the store it was quite messy with stuff on the floor and etc but there were memorabilia on the walls, and I loved it. There was one person working and I am not positive if she was the only person working but she was the only one I saw. They accept card but had a minimum limit and cash and I needed to use some of my Canadian money, so I paid that way. I wasn't positive if it was still going to be there due to the high cost of rent in Toronto but glad it was.
If you've looked this up on yelp, then you've watched the show. I was so excited to come. I arrived just before 10am on a Sunday and the kind amma was just starting to open up for business. Unfortunately I didn't see appa. When I arrived I saw a couple of girls with their rolling suitcases peeking inside. They were visiting from Ottawa. It was really nice to walk into the store. It has a similar layout as in the show. Once I posted this on my IG some people couldn't believe it was an actual store. Amma was kind enough for me to record some shots and take pictures inside as long as she wasn't in it. If you do step in, please help by making a purchase.
You gotta stop by if you watch the show on Netflix. You can get a Kim's Convenience tote bag inside ($3). 50 cents charge for credit card so $3.50. They also have a t shirt. We walked here from downtown. Area around the store is a bit sketchy.
To most people, this just looks like any other convenience store in a kind of sketchy neighborhood, but to fans of the show Kim's Convenience, this is like Central Perk, Luke's Diner, or Monk's Cafe. I assume Appa and Janet were in the back restocking expired $2 for $2 raviolis, so someone else was manning the front. He seemed to be able to tell right away that we weren't just stopping in for a bag of chips (although they do have those and I did buy some) and he made it a point to offer to take pictures for us, giving us signed t-shirts and signs to hold, making us make silly faces, and took about 50 pictures. He was very proud and it was very adorable. He even offered us a free tote bag! I was 30 cents short for my chips and he waved it off (Subisu!!) The set for Kim's Convenience was based on this store and I think they use the corner for outside shots, either way it looks exactly like the show from outside, and a lot like it inside. They also have some branded tote bags ($3) and a big picture of the cast inside. If you're a big fan of the show, there's a bus station at Queen and Spadina outside Black Bulk that you can press a button and get a free tote bag (not sure how long). If you're a fan of the show, it's a fun stop, nice way to support a local business in a neighborhood you otherwise probably wouldn't go to. But if you do Mengra Thai close by is a great Thai restaurant. Okseeyou!
Fans of the TV show will get a kick out of this... store changed its name when the show took over exterior for shot. They sell T-shirts for the show at $15, if u really like the show.....
I recently binge watched all 5 seasons of Kim's Convenience on Netflix, and it was filmed here in Toronto. My partner and I took pictures outside, and we saw 2 girls who were also a big fan of the show. We walked in, and the store is owned by a Korean family. The shop owner was super nice to all of us, they sold everything you'd expect in a convenience store, and they also carried the show's merchandise. There were t-shirts and tote bags. We bought 2 t-shirts that said Kim's Convenience on the front and #okseeyou on the back. If you don't know, that's a phrase that the dad in the show loves to say to customers on their way out. The shop owner ended up giving us the tote bag for free, which was super generous and I totally appreciated that because I couldn't take my eyes off of it. It had the main cast of the show on the front (brother, sister, mom and dad), and the back of the bag says #okseeyou. We also purchased a snack to hold us on our way to Chinatown for dinner (we had never seen chunky Kit Kats and wanted to try it, it's so delicious and a Canadian exclusive). My partner bought a mango juice to mix rum with. I love that the walls of the convenience store is also decorated with pictures of the cast from the show and their autographs. The owner asked where we're from, and we were happy to hear that he's been to Chicago and has family in Chicago. He wished us a good trip in Toronto. Coming here is one of the highlights of my trip to Toronto. If you haven't seen the show already, I highly recommend it, it'll have you laughing and have a better understanding of an Asian family who immigrated to another country etc. Whether or not you've seen the show, I still recommend this convenience store to anyone in the area because it has a huge selection of anything you can imagine, you'd be supporting a local family owned business, and the shop owner is really sweet.
4 months ago
Randomly passed by this spot and what a wonderful hidden Toronto surprise! The owner is exactly like a character pulled straight from Kim's Convenience, super sweet and welcoming. 10/10 for fellow show fans! read more
2 months ago
This was on a short list of things we had to visit while in Toronto. I loved the show so much and forgot it was based in Toronto until my sister added it to our list. We stopped by on a Monday afternoon and got our obligatory pictures. We then went in and got some snacks and while were were checking out the man behind the counter asked if we had seen the show, we said yes and he invited us to take pictures of the staff with cast members and even gave us reusable totes! It was such an awesome little stop and I am so glad we did! read more
I was in Toronto for a business trip and just happened to drive by Kim's Convenience. I forgot the show was based in Toronto! I had to stop in for some pictures to just check the vibes. It's not the nicest part of town outside but that's sort of what you might expect for a random family owned Korean corner convenience store. Who knew Simu Liu would be such a big movie star! read more
3 years ago
Fans rejoice! Come see your favorite show storefront. But be warned. It is not located in the best area. While visiting, a woman under the influence was in a swearing rage and a nice man out front tried to nicely diffuse the situation. There were a lot of things going on on the street so we snapped a quick photo and left quickly. I would be careful wandering around here late at night. It is very fun to see the store that's signage was changed to reflect the show! read more
When planning a trip to Toronto, I knew this was one quick stop that would we had to visit. As many people have stated it is not in the greatest part of Toronto, but that's OK with me. There was parking on the side of the street which was easy. We got out took pictures and then of course went inside. I like how much the inside modeled the store on the show. We picked up a few items, because of course you should support the store if you are going to make it an attraction. We were taking some pictures and the lovely gentlemen behind the counter asked if we were fans of the show. When we told him YES, he showed us more pictures from the show and the cast at the store. He also offered us re-usable shopping bags for our items. He was too sweet. The store itself has a lot packed into the store, so there is something for everyone if you want a quick snack or a drink. I think this was a neat experience and a must for any fan of the show. read more
The original name of this convenience store is Mimi's Variety owned by a Korean couple. "Kim's Convenience" came about due to the popular 5-season show and they just went with it even after the show got canceled. They have your typical convenience store items: soda, chips, snacks, magazines. But they also have fresh fruits, toiletries, etc. There's an ATM inside the store but they take credit cards. They have souvenir shopping bags and shirts which I bought because I'm a sucker like that. I paid for my souvenirs and the owner was like "ok, see you!" I couldn't help but smile (if you ever watched the show then, you get it). I took the 501 street car to get here which was pretty easy. I must say it's not in the best neighborhood. Which explains the metal security window bars in every business in the area. People talking about cocaine ever so casually in broad daylight while waiting for the 501 street car to go back to my hotel. It was an adventure with 75% chance of getting shanked. read more
Watched the show Kim's Convenience and I have decided to check this store out with a friend. The store itself is located in a pretty run down or sketchy area but that doesn't stop us from visiting the store at all. The inside doesn't look anything like the show. As a matter of fact, I thought the store would be a lot bigger. The store inside has some of the Kim's Convenience merche and posters around. This is an actual convenience store where you expect to find candies, sodas, chips, grocery items/ household items etc for sale here. It was definitely nice to check out this place and be able to take a picture of us outside. We came during the night which I don't recommend if you are not familiar with the area. read more
This is the storefront that was featured in the CBC TV show of its namesake. As a fan of the show and it's progressive portrayal of minorities, it was hard not to admire the store and walk in. While the inside is not identical at all , it has the same family run vibe when you walk inside that you expect from the TV show. The surrounding area is a bit rundown, but don't let that stop you. To be honest, the show Kim's Convenience inspired us to move to Toronto because of the diversity that the city of Toronto has to offer. read more
3 years ago
So fun to see the store front from the show, Kim's Convenience. It's not in the greatest area but still worth the walk over. We did go in looking for rice for my phone, ugh, so we got to see the differences and similarities of the actual store and the show's store. Not the same inside other than they sell a lot of everyday items. Items are everywhere! If you're a fan of the show, check them out! read more
3 years ago
I had binge watched the show during the pandemic and when I invited to Toronto with my cousins, I knew I wanted to stop by. I will say it is not the best part of Toronto, but we still make the trek from the hotel. I am not positive on which bus and subway we took but it took time. Once we made it to the store it was quite messy with stuff on the floor and etc but there were memorabilia on the walls, and I loved it. There was one person working and I am not positive if she was the only person working but she was the only one I saw. They accept card but had a minimum limit and cash and I needed to use some of my Canadian money, so I paid that way. I wasn't positive if it was still going to be there due to the high cost of rent in Toronto but glad it was. read more
5 years ago
If you've looked this up on yelp, then you've watched the show. I was so excited to come. I arrived just before 10am on a Sunday and the kind amma was just starting to open up for business. Unfortunately I didn't see appa. When I arrived I saw a couple of girls with their rolling suitcases peeking inside. They were visiting from Ottawa. It was really nice to walk into the store. It has a similar layout as in the show. Once I posted this on my IG some people couldn't believe it was an actual store. Amma was kind enough for me to record some shots and take pictures inside as long as she wasn't in it. If you do step in, please help by making a purchase. read more
1 year ago
5 years ago
You gotta stop by if you watch the show on Netflix. You can get a Kim's Convenience tote bag inside ($3). 50 cents charge for credit card so $3.50. They also have a t shirt. We walked here from downtown. Area around the store is a bit sketchy. read more
8 years ago
To most people, this just looks like any other convenience store in a kind of sketchy neighborhood, but to fans of the show Kim's Convenience, this is like Central Perk, Luke's Diner, or Monk's Cafe. I assume Appa and Janet were in the back restocking expired $2 for $2 raviolis, so someone else was manning the front. He seemed to be able to tell right away that we weren't just stopping in for a bag of chips (although they do have those and I did buy some) and he made it a point to offer to take pictures for us, giving us signed t-shirts and signs to hold, making us make silly faces, and took about 50 pictures. He was very proud and it was very adorable. He even offered us a free tote bag! I was 30 cents short for my chips and he waved it off (Subisu!!) The set for Kim's Convenience was based on this store and I think they use the corner for outside shots, either way it looks exactly like the show from outside, and a lot like it inside. They also have some branded tote bags ($3) and a big picture of the cast inside. If you're a big fan of the show, there's a bus station at Queen and Spadina outside Black Bulk that you can press a button and get a free tote bag (not sure how long). If you're a fan of the show, it's a fun stop, nice way to support a local business in a neighborhood you otherwise probably wouldn't go to. But if you do Mengra Thai close by is a great Thai restaurant. Okseeyou! read more
4 years ago
I recently binge watched all 5 seasons of Kim's Convenience on Netflix, and it was filmed here in Toronto. My partner and I took pictures outside, and we saw 2 girls who were also a big fan of the show. We walked in, and the store is owned by a Korean family. The shop owner was super nice to all of us, they sold everything you'd expect in a convenience store, and they also carried the show's merchandise. There were t-shirts and tote bags. We bought 2 t-shirts that said Kim's Convenience on the front and #okseeyou on the back. If you don't know, that's a phrase that the dad in the show loves to say to customers on their way out. The shop owner ended up giving us the tote bag for free, which was super generous and I totally appreciated that because I couldn't take my eyes off of it. It had the main cast of the show on the front (brother, sister, mom and dad), and the back of the bag says #okseeyou. We also purchased a snack to hold us on our way to Chinatown for dinner (we had never seen chunky Kit Kats and wanted to try it, it's so delicious and a Canadian exclusive). My partner bought a mango juice to mix rum with. I love that the walls of the convenience store is also decorated with pictures of the cast from the show and their autographs. The owner asked where we're from, and we were happy to hear that he's been to Chicago and has family in Chicago. He wished us a good trip in Toronto. Coming here is one of the highlights of my trip to Toronto. If you haven't seen the show already, I highly recommend it, it'll have you laughing and have a better understanding of an Asian family who immigrated to another country etc. Whether or not you've seen the show, I still recommend this convenience store to anyone in the area because it has a huge selection of anything you can imagine, you'd be supporting a local family owned business, and the shop owner is really sweet. read more
4 years ago
Amazing experience being able to see this in person. My family and friends love this show and being able to be here was nothing less than surreal. I bought some candy from the store and although it's a bit rundown and a bit different from the show( since it's shot on a set ), I was so so happy regardless. read more
5 years ago
People on the show was so funny ... everyone on this show in the store always make me laugh. I need it after work! I work for a convenience store in washington state in usa lol read more
4 years ago
I've literally DREAMED of seeing this place. Took lots of pics ofc. Was the regular convenience store feel too. In a bit of a sketch place of t tho, so go with friends or in the day time. But it kind of adds to the whole experience of realness and authenticity of the experience. They sell merch too which is cool! I got a tshirt :)) I have always loved this show and forever will! read more
7 years ago
If you watch the show and if you're in the area definitely pay a visit to this convenience store. The guy behind the counter was really friendly. We talked about the show and noticed we were fans of the show. He gave us a free bag with the name of the show on it and also took our picture. read more
4 years ago
7 years ago
6 years ago
7 years ago
So fun to see this place! The lady behind the counter was really sweet. She pegged us as fans and asked if we wanted a picture. We also got a shopping bag which is my new favorite thing. The prices were great as well. read more
4 years ago
7 years ago
7 years ago
8 years ago
More info about Kim's Convenience
252 Queen Street E
Toronto, ON M5A 1S3
Canada
Corktown
Directions
Hours
Outdoor Amenities
