Tim Hortons is planning two new cafes in Pennsylvania, both in the heart of Philadelphia. The Canadian coffee-and-doughnut chain, featured in our look at coffee alternatives to Starbucks, has signed leases for locations at 1517 Chestnut Street and 1900 Market Street in Center City.
The addresses are confirmed, but the shops are not open yet. Leasing firm Soloff Realty & Development announced the two leases in May 2026, and Philadelphia news outlets highlighted the projects in late October. Neither cafe has a publicly confirmed opening date, so the city’s next Tim Hortons coffee runs will have to wait.
One Tim Hortons is coming to Chestnut Street
The first proposed cafe would occupy 1517 Chestnut Street near Rittenhouse Square. The storefront formerly housed an H&R Block and has been vacant for years, according to the Philadelphia Business Journal.
That space isn’t a done deal as an operating restaurant just because a lease was signed. The franchisee’s plans called for a neighborhood presentation on October 27 while seeking zoning approval for sit-down restaurant use. The outcome of that approval process and any construction schedule have not been publicly confirmed in the reports announcing the leases.
The other shop would replace a former Starbucks
A second Tim Hortons is planned for 1900 Market Street, in the former Philadelphia Stock Exchange building. The address previously had a Starbucks, which closed in September 2025. The new tenant would restore a recognizable coffee counter to a busy downtown stretch if its plans move forward.
Unlike a suburban drive-thru, the Market Street site is positioned for office workers, nearby residents and people traveling through Center City. Soloff Realty says both addresses were chosen for their visibility, foot traffic and access to transportation.
What will Tim Hortons serve?
Tim Hortons is best known for hot coffee, iced coffee, breakfast sandwiches and doughnuts. Its bite-sized Timbits are another signature item. The company operates a variety of formats, from compact downtown shops to larger restaurants with drive-thrus, but it hasn’t released Philadelphia-specific menus, hours or prices for these two storefronts.
The brand was founded in Ontario in 1964 and has an established U.S. presence, especially in the Northeast and Midwest. It’s owned by Restaurant Brands International, whose other restaurant brands include Burger King, Popeyes and Firehouse Subs.
When will Philadelphia get its first two cafes?
For now, the answer is that opening dates haven’t been announced. A signed lease gives each project a real address, but does not confirm that construction is finished, required approvals have been granted or customers can order there.
These would be Tim Hortons’ first locations within Philadelphia, not its first in Pennsylvania. The chain already has a presence in Allentown and nearby South Jersey towns. Its real estate representative has also said it is exploring additional Philadelphia sites, although no further city addresses have been confirmed in this two-store announcement.
For coffee drinkers downtown, the next milestones to watch are zoning decisions, storefront work and grand-opening announcements at 1517 Chestnut Street and 1900 Market Street.
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