Indie Alehouse's Junction site becomes McDonald's after 13 years closed

Nearly a year after closing, the former home of Indie Alehouse — a brewpub that anchored the Junction for 13 years — is getting a new tenant: McDonald's.

The brewery closed in mid-October 2025, consolidating operations to Birrioteca at Eataly Yorkville. Now the space at 2876 Dundas Street West is set to become a McDonald's location.

The Junction's independent business identity made the transition a flashpoint in the neighbourhood. Carol Jolly, Executive Director of The Junction BIA, acknowledged the mixed reaction. "The Junction has a very strong independent business identity, and Indie Alehouse was a longstanding and much-loved part of the neighbourhood, so some residents are disappointed to see a major international chain take over such a prominent location," she said.

At the same time, Jolly noted that a new restaurant at this corner could activate a significant vacant storefront and bring additional foot traffic and activity to one of the Junction's busiest intersections. "A new restaurant at this corner will activate a significant vacant storefront and bring additional foot traffic and activity to one of the Junction's busiest intersections."

The Junction BIA has already reached out to McDonald's Canada's development and operations teams early in the process. The BIA hopes to discuss how the new location can integrate successfully into the neighbourhood, including storefront and streetscape considerations, pedestrian activity, deliveries, litter management, community engagement, and opportunities to participate in local BIA initiatives and events.

This is one of several new McDonald's locations slated to open in Toronto this year. The company has also planned additions at Yonge and Bloor and Bloor and Bathurst. Globally, McDonald's plans to open an additional 8,000 locations by 2027.