Balzac's Coffee Roasters create a distinct Canadian experience for UP Express in Union Station

TORONTO, April 17, 2015 /CNW/ - Balzac's Coffee Roasters today announced that the company's 10^th location is coming to downtown Toronto this spring right in the heart of the new UP Express Union Station home.  

Diana Olsen, Balzac's Founder and President says she was "immediately convinced that this is a good fit for the company. UP Express is genuinely committed to bringing in home-grown businesses whose identities are interwoven the unique spirit of Toronto and Ontario."

Besides its fresh roasted coffee, Balzac's will offer fresh baked pastries and light meal options that are sourced from some of Toronto's finest establishments such as La Bamboche, Dufflet Pastries and Cinq Foods to name a few. It also offers the finest local Ontario ingredients such as Harmony Organic Dairy, and White Meadows Maple Syrup in several specialty drinks.

"Our mission is to transform the way people travel to and from the airport and how they experience what the province and the city have to offer," says Kathy Haley, President of UP Express. "Interesting brands and artisanal retail partners like Balzac's Coffee Roasters will surprise and delight our guests and showcase the best of Ontario."

"The opportunity to be at the welcoming and departure point for so many travellers in the iconic Union Station is very exciting," added Ms. Olsen. "Southern Ontario is our home and Union Station and Toronto Pearson International Airport are the epicentres of this incredible metropolitan area. We're proud to be part of it!"

Balzac's at UP Express Union Station will be open from 5:30 a.m. – 10 p.m. daily.

About Balzac's

Balzac's inspiration comes from Honoré de Balzac, a historical 19^th century French novelist who fueled his creativity by drinking copious cups of strong, black coffee. While working and studying in Paris, Balzac's founder Diana Olsen discovered a kindred spirit in Monsieur Balzac and was inspired to bring this sophisticated celebration of coffee and social tradition back to Canada. 

Balzac's has nine cafés in Southern Ontario, with three more on the near horizon including the café in Union Station.

All products are thoughtfully and diligently sourced, with a focus on local and organic. While an eye is kept on efficiency and affordability, Balzac's will not take short cuts with quality or preparation techniques. Balzac's strives to offer "slow-food" prepared quickly, not "fast-food".

About UP Express

Union Pearson Express is a division of Metrolinx, an agency of the Government of Ontario, and one project among $16 billion of transportation improvements Metrolinx is bringing to the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area. Launching this spring, UP Express will be a dedicated express air-rail service connecting Union Station in downtown Toronto and Toronto Pearson International Airport in just 25 minutes. For more information, visit www.upexpress.com.

SOURCE Balzac’s Coffee Roasters

Image with caption: "Balzac’s Coffee Roasters (CNW Group/Balzac’s Coffee Roasters)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20150417_C7164_PHOTO_EN_14435.jpg

For more information and interview requests, please contact: Balzac's Coffee Roasters, Diana Olsen, President and Founder, [email protected] or [phone] ; Metrolinx, Anne Marie Aikins, Manager, Media Relations, [email protected] or [phone]