This Mercury soft-opened right around Christmas, and then opened properly in the new year. What a nice surprise that was. Mercury has always been a favourite place to go when further east. This one is a very small little spot, not much seating and no proper tables -- I think it's mostly for take out or a quick chat. The coffee is good.
The former Tandem nearby has also re-opened as F Mondays Coffee & Books, and they are finding their stride now as well. Also good coffee, with more of a relaxed vibe for hanging out.
This is definitely a great stretch of King, with these spaces now joining Roselle Bakery, Henrietta Lane, Old Town Bodega, Gusto 501 and Spaccio. What a transformation from when I moved to the area 20 years ago and this stretch was just mostly vacant warehouses or very quiet retail. But there is a lot of very large development coming to the area soon, as it's a transit priority area very near the future Corktown subway station, so this may be just a peaceful interlude before the chaos. We should enjoy it now.