Caffe Brasiliano closing after 50 years on Dundas West

Caffe Brasiliano is slated to close on June 17, some 50 years after it first opened on Dundas West. It started as a smaller space on the north side of the street, but booming business led to a move to its current location back in 2004. Its popularity certainly hasn't waned since then (if anything it's even busier), but the Conners family, owners of the business since the late 1990s, are bidding goodbye.

Reached by phone earlier today, Kenny Connors Jr. explained that it's the right time to move on. "The family's been working six days a week since I can remember. My father retired a few years ago, and it's time that my mother gets a break as well."

The space won't be vacant for long. Connors tells me that Craig Harding from nearby Campagnolo is set to open a new brunch/lunch-focused concept after Brasiliano closes up shop. At least that sounds like a worthy replacement. Brasiliano is held dear by the neighbourhood, and this will take the sting out a little bit.

What will also lessen the blow is that Brasiliano's coffee will still be available via a new business from Kenny Jr. He's teamed up with James Morris of Bon Mots (who happens to be one of the cafe's loyal regulars) to re-brand the bean-sales portion of Brasiliano's business into a new venture known as Kenny for Coffee. He'll sell the beans through his website and via his office at 835 Dundas St. West.

Kenny Jr. characterizes the starting of the new business as a bittersweet moment. I'm sure longstanding customers of Brasiliano will feel the same. Those who know the place well have only good things to say about the Connors family and the hyper-friendly service they offered over the years. The food was cheap but hearty, the banter was always fun, and the coffee was is excellent.

by Derek Flack via blogTO