On Friday, February 26th at 9 a.m., the first registration window for the expanded CaféTO program will be opened for restaurant and bar operators. The first window will remain open for a full month, until Friday, March 26, and the second window will open immediately afterward.
The registration process for CaféTO aims to be clear and straightforward. As in 2020, applicants will be required to provide certain documentation, including a valid business licence and certificate of insurance. There will be additional requirements for applicants looking to install temporary platforms in the curb lane. Any operator looking to participate in CaféTO 2021, with a café on the street or sidewalk, is required to register even if they participated in CaféTO in 2020.
Pending public health orders, approved CaféTO curb lane closure locations from the first window would be installed in May – almost two months earlier than last year and in time for the May long weekend.
The CaféTO guidebook, which will provide clear criteria for opening a café under the program, has been updated in 2021 and will be available on the CaféTO website when registration is launched on Friday morning. The CaféTO guidebook will also include clear guidance related to expanding patios on private property.
The City is planning an online webinar for restaurant and bar operators who are interested in expanding their outdoor dining space in 2021. This webinar will be held on March 2nd, 2021 at 9:30 a.m. and is free to anyone who is interested. It will contain information about registering for CaféTO, enhancements to the program in 2021, as well is information for restaurants and bar operators who are looking to expand on private property.
The link to sign up for the webinar can be found here and on the CafeTO website. The webinar will be recorded and the video will be available afterwards for any operator to watch if they cannot attend the live session.
In the meantime, if you or any of your member businesses have any questions about the CaféTO program, please contact the project team directly at cafeto@toronto.ca.
Please notify the Gerrard India Bazaar BIA office on your intent to participate in the CafeTO program and we will be happy to support in every way we can.
Our BIA is committed to helping our community thrive and flourish. Not only do we actively promote our local businesses, we are also working to help connect business owners with the tools and resources they need to succeed.
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