TigerBaby Coffee & Clay Opens in Toronto, Showcasing Local Design Talent

TigerBaby Coffee & Clay, a hybrid ceramics studio and café founded by siblings Sarah and Thomas Sawaya, has opened in Toronto's Little Portugal neighbourhood. The three-floor venue separates its coffee bar on the main floor from a 12-person handbuilding studio and a 10-person wheel-throwing studio on the floors above and below. Sarah, who entered ceramics four years ago while working in biotech, and Thomas, an industrial designer with eight years of barista experience, conceived the space to unite craft, community, and creativity. The interior, designed with the help of Bronte Architecture (founded by Sarah's friend Bronte Morris-Poolman), features wood panelling, red accents, and grey concrete tiles, with custom details throughout. The café's rotating range of ceramic cups, made by Sarah and Thomas, are tailored to specific drinks, such as a galaxy-patterned mug for flat whites. The space also showcases works by local creatives, including Beta mirrors by Studio Drum, sconces by Eric Kirwin, lighting by Devansh Shah, speakers by Earthworm Underground (Samuel Wasserman), millwork by Good Shit Studio Corp., and a logo by tattoo artist Adela Putra. The name TigerBaby comes from the siblings' childhood cat, and their mascot, named Slip, was designed by Putra. The project reflects a growing trend of community-focused creative spaces in Toronto.