Most CaféTO patios to be ready for Victoria Day weekend: city

Toronto is on track to have 90 per cent of CaféTO patios ready for Victoria Day weekend, the city said on Monday.

Hundreds of restaurants are expected to take part in the temporary summer patio program this year, according to Coun. Paula Fletcher, who represents Toronto-Danforth.

Fletcher said the city has streamlined the application process for the curb lane patio program. Last year, restaurant owners complained, saying the application process started too late and the approvals process was too lengthy. Some councillors also weighed in, saying too many city divisions were involved.

Now, Fletcher said the program is just right.

"This year's CaféTO program has been rolling out successfully and with very few wrinkles," said Fletcher.

"That was the idea to get everything set up, to be able to simply approve people who had been there last year without a lot of rigmarole and add new folks that want to come in this year. Make it seamless, cut all the red tape and let's get on those patios."

Fletcher, Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow, city staff and local BIA and restaurant representatives are set to hold a news conference Tuesday to provide an update on the program for this season.

"Now in its second year as a permanent program that serves to boost Toronto's vibrant main streets, CaféTO 2024 features new process and design enhancements aimed at ensuring temporary curb lane patios across the city can open more easily and sooner than ever before," the city said.

One business owner reports problems with process

The patio process, however, hasn't been smooth for every business.

Tony Merante, owner of DeSotos Eatery, said he was denied a permit for the CaféTO program in previous years and now his permanent patio is unnecessarily at risk of shutting down because of a dispute about licensing.

"I've been at this location 20 years and literally have had to apply for the patio at least three to four times. And every time it just gets more complicated," he said.

The city says it's working with Desoto to explain how he can come into compliance with city bylaws.

Fletcher, for her part, said many applications have been rejected for being close to a bus stop, a streetcar stop or a fire hydrant.

CaféTO, which became a permanent program in 2023, allows restaurants and bars to open expanded outdoor spaces on sidewalks and in curb lanes from spring to fall.

The program was introduced with much fanfare in 2020 after public health measures during the pandemic restricted indoor dining.

Feedback from the industry and the public was mostly positive, according to a study in the fall of 2022. The city-funded study found the program generated more than $203 million in economic benefits in 2022, with more than 1,300 businesses taking part.

In October 2023, Chow promised three major changes to make the program better:

• Businesses that had successfully applied for CaféTO in 2023 were supposed to know by the end of November 2023 whether they were approved for this year.

• New applicants were supposed to be able to apply in January. Chow promised that at least 90 per cent of applications would be approved by mid-April.

• City staff will install safety equipment starting May 1, with the goal of patios being open by Victoria Day long weekend.