Elle dit imagine, an independent boutique cafe and design studio, is getting ready to open in Mississauga at 63 Queen Street South.
The company’s new location is currently under construction in the heart of Streetsville, according to the City of Mississauga’s May Building Report. Owner Lama tells What Now Toronto the team is aiming for a soft launch at the end of August 2026, although that timeline remains subject to construction progress. The business is a family venture founded by Lama and her husband, who are originally from Lebanon. Customers can expect specialty coffee, creative workshops, and a space designed to bring the local community together.
“We are so excited to contribute to the magic of Streetsville and can’t wait to welcome our neighbors home,” Lama tells WhatNow Toronto.
The concept was inspired by Lama’s experience moving to Canada as an international student to study Advertising and Marketing Communications at Sheridan College. After graduating and receiving permanent residency with her family, she and her husband decided to pursue their dream of opening a business together. While her husband continues to work abroad, the cafe represents a long-term goal of reuniting the family permanently in Canada while creating a place where their children can grow up and build lasting memories. The Streetsville location marks the first Elle dit imagine.
Lama says Streetsville stood out because of its historic character and close-knit community. She tells What Now Toronto the family wanted to create more than a traditional coffee shop, choosing instead to build what they describe as a creative sanctuary where neighbors can connect, slow down, and spend time together. This will be an excellent landing space for Elle dit imagine, given the area’s walkable downtown and strong sense of community. The concept is intended to serve residents of all ages through both its cafe and creative programming.
The cafe will offer a selection of handcrafted specialty drinks, including Biscoff, Spanish, and Strawberry lattes. Alongside its beverage menu, the business will host creative workshops for children and adults, covering a variety of artistic and hands-on activities. The space combines a boutique cafe with a design studio, creating a setting that encourages creativity and learning.
“I honestly don’t like to show my face on social media, so I used my creative background to create ‘Elle.’ Elle is a little deer character I created to serve as the cafe’s public face and storyteller,” Lama tells WhatNow. “She’s a character on our social media page and a real-life knitted toy, and we’ve actually already started posting short ‘episodes’ featuring her to explain the vision and heart behind the business.”
