Wed Oct. 01 2008 5:11:51 PM
Possibility of Kensington Market Starbucks draws local anger
cp24.com
Signs and petitions against Starbucks opening up at Kensington Market -- posted at proposed location.
View larger image
The possibility of a Starbucks Coffee opening in Kensington Market is drawing the anger of local businesses and residents.
Owners of the property at 234 Augusta Ave., on the corner of Nassau Street, are in talks with Starbucks, real estate agent Phil Pick told CP24.
The location was previously occupied by J & J Fruit Market, which closed in May after an inspection by the Medical Officer of Health.
Several local residents are strongly opposed to the opening of a Starbucks in the historic market known for its unique shops, cafes and fresh produce.
The wall outside the former fruit shop location has been plastered with signs voicing people's opposition to Starbucks.
One sign says, "Kensington Market does not welcome multi-national corporations", while another says, "We love our local cafes". Other signs posted are promoting petitions against the corporation.
Local café owner Wanda Beaver says the added competition is not the reason she opposes the opening.
"A lot of the places here have their own following and everyone here has a real loyalty to the shops here. If Starbucks came here, I would even venture to say they might get frozen out."
Beaver says the area has lot of historical significance, which would make it difficult for a Starbucks to survive.
"It was a Jewish market for years, they had live chickens here. It still has that flavour of everything being down to earth.
"Starbucks -- they don't really fit into that -- they can try, but it will not be a good fit."
Pick says locals are overreacting to the "preliminary" talks with Starbucks to rent the $5,000-per-month location.
He says he is also in talks with banks, doctors offices and other "national tenants" to rent the space.
The history of big chain vendors coming into the area shows residents seem to prefer independent local businesses.
Second Cup met with the ire of locals and closed within six months of opening due to low sales.
The Toronto couple that owns the location says they are pleased with the attention their property is getting.
Kensington is one of the city's oldest neighbourhoods, located southwest of College Street and Spadina Avenue.
| E-Mail Story |
Caribana 2010
Taste of the Danforth
G20 Special Section
Add Comments(11)
October 01, 2008 at 4:27:38 PM
Lisa
I have respect for the dedication of Kensington area residents to support or not support as they see fit. As Second Cup failed, so will anything along the line of Starbucks, especially at $5,000 per month. This is not a high income area and the residents prize community and socializing with neighbours over an unhurried, reasonably priced, organic, free-trade coffee. A doctor's office might be a good addition to the area. But the residence have been clear in their dislike of faceless corporate retailing and so Starbucks would be well advised to look at the history of the area businesses.
October 01, 2008 at 4:43:38 PM
jocelyn
i don't live in the area, but i can see why people are upset. having seen the Kensington area on several visits, I see that Kensington is an area best known for its local produce and the fact that it's better off as it is. the addition of a multi-national corporation will ruin the area and all of its great characteristics. if a Second Cup failed there, Starbucks will too. if i lived in the area, I'd be upset about the bare thought of it!
October 01, 2008 at 5:26:15 PM
Ahmed hashimi
If you ask me I think the residents are over reacting to this situation. It seems these residents have noting better to do but complain about everything, doesnt it make sense to put any type of business in these vacant spots? does it not creat more jobs in this community?
October 01, 2008 at 5:33:07 PM
Rob
I like Starbucks. I am willing to pay their prices, and a certain amount of that goes to the image and the experience, as well as the product.
But in Kensington, I don't want that image or that experience--I want the old, lived-in, counter-culture, historic feeling. That's why Starbucks won't work in Kensington: people there won't buy it. They'll pay just as much to go to their local hole-in-the-wall cafe.
October 01, 2008 at 6:04:05 PM
Lisa
In response to Ahmed - the residents do have better things to do with their time. They are not uneducated, unemployed or penniless. They are environmentalists, artists and many other expressive types of individuals. There are already three Tim Hortons and two Starbucks within a 10 minute walk. Why fill the space just to fill it? Why not fill it in a way that is of use to the community?
October 01, 2008 at 6:23:37 PM
Darren
Its called free market for a reason. Any company that can open up a store should be able to, as long as their store fits the zoning laws. If it cannot be profitable, then market situations will eventually catch up and this store will close.
October 01, 2008 at 7:14:07 PM
Mark
I am sure Starbucks has done their research if they are interested in the property. I live and work in the area and frankly would appreciate a bit of a clean-up. If you ever walk around there at night the parks are full of people doing drugs and maybe some bright lights will change that.
October 01, 2008 at 7:45:24 PM
Mike
Mark,...you must be kidding.
A Starbuck's is going to "clean up" Kensington?
There's junkies walking around everywhere at night my friend, and on good ole gentrified Queen West, they are decked out in designer clothing.
Pretty much every new condo owner flooding into downtown Toronto needs to realize that if they want suburban comforts, suburban quiet, and would love it if every building became a greige cement block of garbage with a shiny new corporate branding, they should just stay in the burbs and let this city keep it's character for those of us who love it the way it is.
Enough of Toronto's unique history has been lost over the years and a major corporation moving into Kensington Market, - which has remained almost 100% independent with its businesses and amenities up to now -, would mark the beginning of the end. Period.
October 01, 2008 at 7:56:37 PM
Grace
I think that the possibility of Starbucks moving into the market is a real pity. I have lived in this neighbourhood for several years and Starbucks just doesn't fit in...there are so many other places that they could move to - it just doesn't make sense for them to move in here. And for those of you who think us residents are over-reacting, if you lived in the area you might feel different. This neigbourhood has a real eclectic flavour with many independent shops and restaurants, not multinational corporations. I personally will not set a foot into this Starbucks if it does materialize.
October 01, 2008 at 8:27:15 PM
Linda Grant
I live in London, ON and regularly visit Toronto. Those visits include Kensington.
I don't like Starbucks coffee but even if I did I don't think it belongs in Kensington Village.
Kensington has something very special going for it. Those who don't see and feel it might enjoy their Starbucks in another location.
October 01, 2008 at 8:55:38 PM
Brian
in response to an earlier posted comment. No, we cannot simply put "any" type of business into these vacant spots, because Kensington Market especially is known for its small artsy crafty atmosphere, a great place to go spend an afternoon, and escape the world of BIG BRANDS ON EVERY CORNER!! also if starbucks were to come in, tourists to the city might see starbucks, recognize it, and pick it over a little local place. I certainly hope they think this through throughly.