Events in toronto: Toronto cafe permanently closes after only a year in business

An adorable Toronto coffee shop that opened barely over a year ago has announced they are now closing for good.

Elvy & Flo was known for its delicious scratch breakfast sandwiches and charming atmosphere, but its owners feel the cafe can't continue on as it was and that the space would be better utilized in other ways.

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With great sadness, we will not re-open Elvy & Flo café. We thank you from the bottom of our hearts for a wonderful year meeting and talking with so many people in our great neighbourhood who enjoyed our space as we dreamed it would be enjoyed. The challenges of operating a café as a centre of community in our new environment are daunting. We loved the flow and energy of people and conversation, music afternoons on the patio, children running around and sidling up to the bar for miniccinos. Unfortunately, the very important public health measures required to protect us all from coronavirus, have fundamentally altered the nature of a business such as ours. We are committed to our space as a community hub. You told us Toronto lacks day care spaces. We are now deep in discussion with a local daycare operator who has applied for a license at our space. For more information please visit Riverdale Activity Centre or email riverdaleactivitycentre@gmail.com. We’re hoping they’ll also serve coffee! We’ll keep you posted here and on Facebook. Thank you. We will miss you. Ann and Perry

A post shared by Elvy and Flo (@elvyandflo) on Jul 29, 2020 at 6:28am PDT

"Our last day was March 16. Then we had a very successful pop up weekend May 23/24. But the energy generated by having people mingle together was sadly missing. We realize that will be the environment while we manage the risks of coronavirus transmission," says Ann Peel of Elvy & Flo.

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The patio garden is ready. We’ve tuned up the espresso machine. We’ve read all we can find on safe and healthy business practices in a corona virus world. So, we’re taking our first steps and reopening for takeout this weekend! Coffees, teas (hot & iced) and baked goods. We’re looking forward to seeing you! (PS cards only please)

A post shared by Elvy and Flo (@elvyandflo) on May 18, 2020 at 12:02pm PDT

"It is not the second living room, kids running around, easy conversation that was our reason to start the cafe. So we thought long and hard about what Toronto and our neighborhood will need in the future. We committed to the use of our space to support our community."

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Toronto is entering Phase 2 – the opening of café and restaurant patios at reduced capacity. However, we have made the decision to remain closed for the time being. The harm mitigation measures that are required (and important) mean that we would be operating at very reduced capacity, with heightened vigilance for your and our health and safety. We think it will be better for all of us if we wait and explore new ways of working in our space to maximize our value to our neighbourhood. You are in our hearts. Be safe. Wear masks. Keep your distance from others. Wash your hands. We will keep you informed as we progress. Ann and Perry

A post shared by Elvy and Flo (@elvyandflo) on Jun 23, 2020 at 1:17pm PDT

When patios were allowed to open in Toronto during Stage 2, Elvy & Flo chose to stay closed.

The space will become home to Riverdale Activity Centre, a daycare that operator Carolyn Henley says will be able to accommodate babies to four-year-old with baby, toddler and preschool programs. She says anyone who wants to be added to their waitlist can get in touch via email, and that they expect top open before 2021.

"The license application is in and we think it’s a perfect space with lots of light, accessible bathrooms, full commercial kitchen, large playground area," says Peel. "We feel sad but hopeful that our space will continue to serve our community."