A new convenience store has arrived in Toronto, but it’s not one you can actually buy stuff from, nor is it on land.
Nestled on the waterfront at Harbour Square Basin, 25 Queens Quay W., “Global Convenience” is a new floating artwork created by Toronto-based artists Trevor Wheatley and Cosmo Dean in collaboration with Puncture (Rashad Maharaj and Spencer Cathcart).
And as Toronto welcomes the world as a host city for the World Cup, the work reimagines “one of the most familiar spaces across cultures, the neighbourhood convenience store,” by “placing it at the water’s edge where people, goods and ideas have long arrived and intersected,” according to Waterfront Toronto.
“‘Global Convenience’ offers an artistic interpretation of Toronto’s role as a FIFA World Cup host city, capturing the global exchange and shared cultural energy that define this moment,” Waterfront Toronto said.
From the outside, onlookers will notice signage, floral bouquets, a fire hydrant and a trash can when admiring the seemingly brick exterior of the floating convenience store. From the back of the art, “no parking” is also spray painted onto the piece.
Inside, the store is set up just as you may see when visiting your own local hub — with candies and snacks, car air fresheners and toothbrushes on display behind the cash register. Plus, miniature flags from countries including Canada, Scotland, Turkey, Nicaragua and the United States are showcased.
A look at the interior of “Global Convenience.”
Waterfront Toronto
And for those who will be headed to the waterfront to check out this work of art, it is also visible after the sun sets.
“We took a crash course in solar power to ensure ‘Global Convenience’ could remain active after dark. At night, a large traditional lightbox sign, exterior lighting, and a brightly lit interior remain illuminated in contrast to the darkness of the lake,” Wheatley and Dean told Waterfront Toronto.
Alongside Puncture, the pairing was chosen to erect “Global Convenience” after an open call competition as part of Waterfront Toronto’s 2026 Floating Public Art Program.
The piece marks the sixth public floating artwork at Harbour Square Basin since the program launched in 2019.
And for the artistic duo, Wheatley and Dean hope visitors to “Global Convenience” experience a “moment of surprise.”
From left, Toronto based-artists Trevor Wheatley and Cosmo Dean.
Waterfront Toronto
“The familiar silhouette of a neighbourhood convenience store is instantly recognizable, but seeing one floating in the harbour is unexpected,” the pair said.
“There is an initial moment of disbelief, followed by curiosity. Up close, we hope the space feels authentic, lived in, and welcoming, like a real local convenience spot. We put great effort into sourcing international products, creating subtle patinas to suggest use and history, and designing geo specific and globally recognizable graphics.”