Olivia Chow vows to breathe new life into the CafeTO patio program

The mayor is taking steps to ensure that Toronto’s seasonal installations don’t fade away.

Thestar.com
Oct. 17, 2023
David Rider

As city crews remove this year’s CafeTO patio installations, Mayor Olivia Chow is promising to breathe new life into the sagging dine-outside program.

Chow said Monday that Toronto is taking steps to reverse a decline in the number of seasonal patios taking over parts of sidewalks and curb lanes on some city streets.

The patios aren’t just a pleasant addition to Toronto neighbourhoods during warm months -- they have been a lifeline for some restaurants still trying to recover from losses sustained during COVID-19 restrictions.

“I am committed to working with city staff to make whatever changes are necessary to ensure CafeTO reaches its full potential as soon as next year,” said the mayor, surrounded by city and restaurant officials on the patio of Red Rocket Coffee on Danforth Avenue near Greenwood Avenue.

Chow blamed “growing pains” for a drop this year in the number of participating businesses. Devised in 2020, CafeTO grew to 1,327 businesses in 2022 but this year shrank by almost 40 per cent amid complaints over red tape and new costs.

Co-ordination problems between officials in the city transportation, economic development and licensing departments will be solved by putting transportation firmly in charge, Chow said.

Restaurants “in good standing” that had patios this year and want the same setup next year will see their 2024 approval confirmed by no later than Nov. 20. City staff will work with returning businesses that want to alter their set-ups so approvals are complete “as quickly as possible.”

Restaurants joining CafeTO for the first time will find an easier, faster approval process launching as early as mid-January. At least nine out of ten eateries that meet city criteria should know by mid-April if they are patio-approved, said Chow.

The mayor wants most patios operational by the May long weekend.

The program will include some barriers to participation cited by restaurateurs, including city fees and a requirement for platforms -- rather than wheelchair ramps -- to ensure equal accessibility for disabled diners.

John Kiru, executive director of TABIA, the umbrella group for Toronto’s neighbourhood merchant associations, said economic development grants to cover some costs, including up to half of patio construction to a maximum of $7,500, will help address those concerns.

Kiru said other changes to make approvals and program timing more predictable should help increase participation. A 2022 TABIAreport found CafeTO brought in more than $203 million in economic benefits for the city.

Tomas Morana, co-owner of three restaurants including Bar Volo near Yonge and Wellesley streets, said he is hopeful the city will rescue CafeTO but isn’t sure the changes announced Monday will be enough.

Bar Volo was initially denied a 2023 patio permit this year, after successfully having one last year, because it’s in a laneway. Amid a backlash, city council in mid-June overturned refusals for Bar Volo and a handful of other eateries.

“A lot of people I know didn’t get their permits until July, so they lost more than a month and a half,” Morana said, “and some permits were only for tiny spaces that make it barely worth bothering.”

City council voted last January to make CafeTO permanent and in June launched a review of the program for the 2024 season.

Council will get, by the end of this year, a report that could include more city staff recommended changes to the program.