Craig’s Cookies opening store in Ottawa’s ByWard Market, popular macaron store closes

Quelque Chose Pâtisserie announced its ByWard Market location closed on Sunday, “after almost eight wonderful years.” (Josh Pringle/CTV News Ottawa)

Craig’s Cookies is set to fill a hole in Ottawa’s ByWard Market for people looking for a treat, just as the macaron store Quelque Chose Pâtisserie closes in the popular tourist area.

A spokesperson for Craig’s Cookies confirmed to CTV News Ottawa the Toronto-based cookie company will open a location in the ByWard Market this summer. Craig’s Cookies was founded by Craig Pike in 2013 and offers over several flavours daily.

“Why Ottawa, why now? As a Canadian small business expanding to the nation’s capital felt like the perfect next step for this fast-growing cookie empire,” Craig’s Cookies said in a statement to CTV News Ottawa. “The ByWard Market, with its rich history, high foot traffic, and reputation as Ottawa’s top tourist destination, offers the ideal setting for Craig’s first corporate store outside Toronto and Newfoundland.”

Craig’s Cookies has locations in Toronto, Niagara-on-the-Lake, Collingwood, Niagara Falls, Burlington, Hamilton, London, Windsor and St. John’s.

“Known for its inclusive culture and nostalgic cookie flavours, Craig’s Cookies was drawn to Ottawa’s youthful energy, diverse population, and vibrant culinary scene. Surrounded by landmarks like Parliament Hill, the National Gallery, and Major’s Hill Park, the new store will be perfectly placed to become a must-visit sweet stop for tourists and locals alike,” Craig’s Cookies said.

Craig’s Cookies said its first Ottawa store will open this summer.

Macaron store closes in ByWard Market

Quelque Chose Pâtisserie, the store specializing in macarons on George Street, closed its doors for good on Sunday, saying it was time “after almost eight wonderful years in the heart of the market.”

“We’ll miss the neighbourhood dearly—it’s been full of sweet memories, amazing customers, and lots of macarons,” Quelque Chose Pâtisserie said in a social media post. “But this change is part of something bigger: it’s the right move to keep growing, dreaming, and making space for what’s next.”

There are still locations on Richmond Road in Westboro and in Vanier.

Quelque Chose Pâtisserie was founded in 2013 by David Seba and Julia Dahdah. According to its website, the company opened its first location in Vanier in 2015 and opened locations in Westboro and the ByWard Market by 2017.

The business offers a selection of over 20 different French macaron flavours.

The closure of Quelque Chose Pâtisserie in the ByWard Market comes as the tourist area sees turnover in several locations.

Dunn’s Famous Restaurant on Dalhousie Street recently closed, with plans for a Chuck’s Roadhouse Bar and Grill franchise to open in the location later this year.

Blue Cactus closed on January 1 after 35 years in the ByWard Market, with Grey’s Social Eatery opening in the ByWard Market Square location last month.

Saslove’s Meat Market, Oz Kafe, Pure Kitchen, the Cupcake Lounge and the Courtyard Restaurant have also recently closed in the market area.