‘It’s like a mini Europe:’ Business owners ready to welcome return of CafeTO

It may not feel like patio weather just yet but this weekend is the last chance for Toronto restaurants to register for CafeTO.

The program was created during the pandemic to give struggling local establishments the opportunity to work around bans and restrictions on indoor dining by allowing them to occupy public areas, such as curbside parking spots, with outdoor patios.

Krishna Gaudel, the owner of Cumin Kitchen, says customers have been enthusiastic about supporting local businesses over the last two years and another season of CafeTO could serve as a sort of bridge until things get back to normal.

“I see a light at the end of the tunnel,” said Gaudel, who confirmed he has already registered for this year’s program.

“It used to be so packed here on Friday and Saturday …people are still building that confidence to come back.”

In 2020, CafeTO supported 801 restaurants in 62 BIAs, as well as 96 restaurants outside of BIAs. In 2021, more than 1,200 establishments took part in CafeTO.

John Kiru, the executive director of the Toronto Association of Business Improvement Areas, says he expects most, if not all, will be coming back this year. He points out that over the last two years the lack of revenue has taken its toll with many businesses closing down and others on the brink.

“Many businesses have mortgaged their homes, have leveraged loans or have their life savings invested in these establishments,” says Kiru.

When it comes to the issue of lost parking, Kiru says they are working with transportation services to make the patios as unobtrusive as possible while maintaining a balance.

“I think it’s a balance and certainly here on Danforth we have 24 hour parking and lots of Green-P opportunities, but it is a balance,” said Beaches-East York councillor Brad Bradford, who adds they’ve managed to refine the program through trial and error.

“We did a survey of participants and stakeholders in the community, overwhelmingly the response was very supportive, people are excited about the vibrancy it brings back to main streets like Danforth.”

City council voted back in November to waive all application, transfer and permit fees for business owners taking part in the program this year. Toronto’s Transportation Services, Municipal Licensing and Standards, and Economic Development and Culture offices were also tasked with establishing criteria to make the CafeTO program permanent by the first quarter of 2023.