Speakers Corner: Business owners speak out after problems with students in East York neighbourhood

Business owners in an East York neighbourhood say they’ve been having problems during the lunchtime rush. They say the culprits are some students at nearby schools.

It’s 11 a.m. on a Wednesday on a strip full of small businesses on Coxwell Avenue near O’Connor Drive in East York. There’s some foot traffic. But it’s fairly quiet.

“And then, around 11:40-11:45 a.m., you’ll see a very packed Coxwell,” says business owner Chris Nessinis, who owns the Greek restaurant Skara in the area.

That’s when hundreds of students from two nearby schools are let out and make up the lunchtime rush. Pizza and sandwich shops are jam-packed as students line up to get some midday nourishment.

A busy lunchtime is normally a welcome sign for businesses. In this case, it is for some but not for others.

“I’ve actually started to notice that more and more stores are closing during the lunch hour,” Nessinis says.

The owners of two stores, who did not want to be identified, often lock their doors for one hour when the students are out for lunch.

“During the lunchtime, if I see so many teenagers, I close the store,” one business owner tells CityNews. “I don’t open to them.”

That owner joins several others who reached out to CityNews, complaining about items being stolen, verbal harassment and fights.

“Nothing has been done yet and it’s actually gotten to the point where businesses are calling the police.”

A video sent to CityNews shows hundreds of students surrounding a taxicab during the lunch hour after a fight two weeks ago. No arrests were ever made. It’s one of many incidents business owners say they’ve been complaining about.

“It’s always during the school year,” a business owner, who wanted to remain anonymous tells CityNews. “In the summer, we don’t have these problems.”

Nessinis says the lunch crowd is good to him, mainly because he has strict rules in his restaurant.

“I had some problems when I first opened but I set a tone that it will not be tolerated here and the students now are better,” he says.

But he’s seen things go bad for other businesses.

“Nothing has been done yet and it’s actually gotten to the point where businesses are calling the police,” Nessinis says.

Business owners say they’ve tried complaining to the schools.

“The schools don’t care and the police don’t care,” a business owner tells CityNews.

They’ve also complained to Coun. Brad Bradford who represents Ward 19, Beaches-East York.

“Supporting our small businesses and the safety of everyone in the community is a priority for me. It is troubling to hear about the events that transpired near Coxwell and O’Connor. Our office has flagged the incident with Community Resource unit of 55 Division as well as the local school board representative. I look forward to working with the community to resolve any further issues,” Bradford’s office tells CityNews.

But business owners say the nearby schools — East York Collegiate Institute and East York Alternative Secondary School — should do more to try and ease concerns.

“The schools need to help us,” one business owner says.

Despite business owners saying they’ve called school officials, a spokesperson for the Toronto District School Board (TDSB) says schools were not notified of problems.

“Should any concerns be brought to a school’s attention, it would be addressed with students, their parents/guardians/caregivers and possible disciplinary action could be taken,” the TDSB statement reads.

While business owners say the vast majority of students behave, it’s the few who don’t are making the most noise.

“They’re ruining for the rest of the students as well,” Nessinis says. “Certain students won’t come into certain stores anymore because they see those type of crowds in there.”

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