Shops We Love: Nuts Make the World Go Round

Here's another of our favourite places in Kensington. We're not exactly sure of the correct full name, or in fact the relationship between these two places, but on the corner of Augusta and Baldwin sits Casa Acoreana/ Nuts Make the World Go Round/ Louie's Kaffee. One look at the gentlemen who run these places and we have to assume they are brothers- close relatives, at least. And there's a family- style relationship between the  physical premises themselves.

 Photo above courtesy Virtual Tourist- member sim1

Louie's occupies the corner; a funky little shack appended to the original building. They serve excellent espresso beverages from either a tiny walk-up window on the street or from a counter inside the painfully small interior. The little "room" has a few stools & benches, a tin roof, and walls adorned with autographed photo's of celebrity patrons. Overflow seating flanks the front windows of Nuts  Make the World Go Round on Baldwin, and space there is always at a premium.

"Nuts" is where we go to get our home coffee. It's a bulk store that specializes in teas and coffees, spices, nuts (we assume), and particularly candy. We are hooked on their Kensington Blend espresso, a secret in-house mix of select beans. To us it strikes just the right balance of roast (fairly dark), ample body, and a hint of fruitiness. The wacky decor seems rather out of character for the guys that man this place, but who knows what secrets they harbour? Maybe they're just big gruff candy loving kids at heart!

235 Augusta Ave
Toronto, ON M5T 2L8

(416) 593-9717