When My Coffee suddenly shuttered its doors at Lansdowne Centre a few months ago, regular patrons were left staring at a vague notice on the security gate stating that their lease had not been renewed. After 15 years as a reliable mall staple for a quick caffeine fix, the unceremonious exit left a massive question mark over the future of that prime corner stall.
We finally have our answer, and it signals a major shift for the mall’s food landscape. Moving into the vacant space is Freshly Squeezed, a massive Canadian beverage franchise with over 90 locations across the country.
From Juices to Bubble Tea
If you’ve spent any time in major Canadian shopping hubs, you’ve likely crossed paths with a Freshly Squeezed kiosk. The brand has built an absolute empire by evolving far beyond its roots as a standard mall juice bar.
While they still pump out classic cold-pressed juices and nutrient-heavy green smoothies, their modern menu is a massive, multi-category operation. They now feature a dedicated “Dubai Chocolate” series, protein shakes, matcha frappes, and a full-scale bubble tea lineup complete with brown sugar pearl milk teas and popping boba fruit blends.
The Corporate Takeover Trend
The arrival of Freshly Squeezed Lansdowne Centre highlights a growing, slightly bittersweet reality for Richmond foodies: the slow replacement of independent mom-and-pop shops by corporate giants.
Malls heavily prioritize high-volume foot traffic and corporate financial backing, making it increasingly difficult for independent operators to survive lease renewals. Just a few months ago, we watched the global juggernaut Cotti Coffee open next to T&T, utilizing aggressive tech-driven $0.99 app promos to immediately anchor the mall’s coffee traffic.
With Freshly Squeezed moving into the My Coffee footprint, Lansdowne’s interior is transforming from a collection of nostalgic neighborhood vendors into a highly optimized corridor of national and international franchises.
Construction on the new juice and bubble tea hub is expected to move quickly. We will share the exact grand opening dates and any launch-day promotions as soon as the barriers come down.
Are you excited to grab a smoothie at the new Freshly Squeezed, or do you still miss the old-school charm of My Coffee?
