CLOSURE: Location of Second Cup closing after 30 years in Hamilton
Published May 13, 2025 at 11:01 am
Locations of chain coffee joints are everywhere, but when a neighbourhood spot shuts down it’s still sad news for the community.
A Second Cup location is closing down in its area of Hamilton, meaning locals will have to go elsewhere for their reliable lattes.
“On June 1, 1995, Second Cup opened a Cafe for the first time in Westdale Village – Second Cup Westdale. From then, it has been becoming a warm corner of this beloved community. For the past thirty years, this little coffee shop has witnessed your laughter and joy, early morning rushes, leisurely afternoon chats, and countless precious moments,” reads a post from the Second Cup in Westdale.
“We’ve said farewell to generations of McMaster students who left with beautiful memories of Second Cup as they ventured into the world to start new chapters in life. We’ve also welcomed many high school students, for whom this place became a relaxing haven during lunch breaks. We are deeply honored to have been an integral part of two generations’ lives, walking alongside Westdale through the passage of time. Whether you were a student rushing to class, a professional focused on work, or old friends catching up, each of you has left behind a unique story here.”
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The post has 160 likes and over 30 comments on Instagram, with many commenters sharing heartfelt stories of their memories of the cafe’s long history.
“This was our favourite coffee shop where my husband and I celebrated all our milestones! Birthdays, graduations, anniversaries…we even met our lawyer here years ago when we bought our first home,” one person wrote.
“Memories of studying there with friends as a Mac student and then later bringing my children there as they grew from preschoolers at Mac daycare to now beginning university themselves,” commented another.
“Have been a customer from the beginning,” someone else commented. “In our early dating days we met on Sunday evenings for a warm apple cider and a stroll around Westdale dreaming of someday residing here. Eventually we married and were lucky to buy a family home just a couple of blocks away. From newlyweds to new parents, we have great memories of coffee meet ups with other Moms & Dads, Italian Sodas for the kids after playtime at Churchill Park and annual festive drinks each holiday season.”
Another customer shared memories of visiting the Second Cup location from the beginning, and continuing to visit for decades.
“I’ve been going to Second Cup Westdale since it first opened three decades ago. I marked workbooks there when still teaching,” they commented.
“My first retirement morning twenty years ago was at the fireplace, where a group of retirees from all walks of life met, and a group began, growing in numbers over the years, and still exists. I had a retired teacher coffee group (‘First Cup @ Second Cup’) meeting there monthly for years, and my other two groups of mostly retired friends still meet there on Fridays and other days.”
The Second Cup will be saying goodbye to their longtime community with special pricing throughout their last month in business, with half off prices from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. all May. On their last day open, they’ll also be saying farewell with a special celebration with free drinks and snacks.
The last day for Second Cup Westdale will be May 31.