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Deadpool

It's Deadpool for The Savannah Room, Urbano, Bungalow Cafe and The Barking Room

Posted by Tim / February 28, 2009

The Savannah RoomI walked by the Savannah Room to witness the end today. The signs on the front door tell the story. Beyond the usual Termination Notice to Tenant, Ladystache and others who had planned gigs here have plastered change of venue notices, pointing fans further west to find them at spots like Rancho Relaxo and Comedy Bar.

The bar and live performance venue had been a College St. fixture for years and was one of the few places in the city to catch regular comedy shows featuring up and coming local talent. No word yet whether mismanagement, slow business or something else led to its decline, but it's done. Their MySpace doesn't really offer any clues.

UrbanoFurther south on Queen, Urbano has closed after just more than a year in business. The tapas restaurant took over the space once occupied by the popular Sugar brunch spot. While busy at times, it never really seemed to distinguish itself from many of the other great dining options in the area. According to signs on the front window, "Toronto's Premier Authentic Breton Creperie" called Creperie La Brehandaise will be opening in its place soon.

Barking RoomAnd King West has lost both the Barking Room and Bungalow Cafe. blogTO reader Lindsay wrote us: "What happened to The Barking Room on King St W?! It was there one day, and the next, the windows were all boarded up with paper! I tried calling, but there answering machine is full. And there's a FOR RENT sign in the window. Did they move? Or did they just close up shop? I had doggie daycare sessions left there!"

I don't have any answers. Maybe pet shop overload in the area? Many grooming services and pet supply stores opened up on King and Queen West over the past few years. Their web site hasn't been updated since they've closed.

Bungalow CafeI never really understood what Bungalow Cafe was trying to be. It wasn't a cafe. It was a restaurant. I never ate there but the one time I popped in to check it out I didn't really find it had that much to offer. I guess locals felt the same way.

Discussion

28 Comments

Teena in Toronto / February 28, 2009 at 03:25 pm
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I'll miss the Bungalow :(
meathole / February 28, 2009 at 05:36 pm
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That sucks re. the barking room.
Nice people in there :(
Grid / February 28, 2009 at 07:52 pm
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Not surprising about Urbano. I remember them first setting up shop, and knew they were doomed by their 905-inspired logo. Just not in tune - too corporate. The reviews of their tepid food just confirmed expectations.
David / March 1, 2009 at 09:49 am
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I went to the Savannah room twice about a year ago. I really enjoyed it, as the beer was so cheap before 9pm. Since then, I tried to go about another 6 or times. It was always closed. I could never figure out when it was actually open. If they make it hard for people to go to the bar, the bar's not going to last very long.
megan / March 1, 2009 at 05:26 pm
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the savannah room was garbage. badly run. dirty as hell. i went to comedy shows their regularly.

the mens bathroom had a permanent stinky puddle in it, while one of the two toliets in the woman's washroom was always plugged and out of order (it was like this for at least 6 months, probably longer)

this place had a terrible rat problem and the backroom flooded on a regular basis. the backroom smelled like mold and rotting rat bodies. all they did was light scented candles back there, and sprayed air freshener.

at least once a month, we actually saw a rat run by.

AND AND AND, you couldn't just get a glass of water. you only could get water if you purchased a beer or food. if not, you had to PAY FOR WATER! isn't that illegal?

anyway, i performed here, so it's sad to see a venue vanish, but GOOD RIDDANCE.
ste&we / March 1, 2009 at 06:05 pm
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We never tried Urbano, but was sad to see Sugar go when it did. They timed that sale so perfectly. As for Bungalow, we ate there once and never returned. They messed up an easy pasta dish, over-cooking the pasta to mush. King St. West (west of Niagara) is in such need for a good bar, it's not funny. Places on Ossington are nice distractions, but there's such a black hole for good bars west of Niagara and east of Sudbury (King) and Dovercourt (Queen). Hopefully someone does something with Bungalow, but I would imagine that after all the renovations they did prior to opening, a premium would exist on the rent. Although not the greatest location, there's a couple of spaces for rent in the yellow Electra building just west of Shaw on King after Movie Express (video automated rental biz from Montreal) and some spa recently went under. We're begging someone to do something around this area bar/grocery/specialty food-wise. :)
Greg / March 1, 2009 at 10:51 pm
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I think saying that The Savannah Room "had been a College St. fixture for years" is a bit of a stretch. Wasn't it only 2 or 3 years ago that it opened? It was Oasis for many years before that.
gonegone / March 2, 2009 at 11:42 am
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CMW'ers should take note that the Savannah Room had showcases booked for at least two nights (according to their <a href="www.canadianmusicfest.com/venues.asp">website</a>). That really sucks for those bands that are scheduled to play there. At this late date, I'm sure that the programs/posters/flyers etc have all been printed up. Shades of <a href="http://www.blogto.com/music/2005/08/what_happened_to_the_360/index.php";>The 360</a> when it closed the week of NXNE way back when...
jen / March 2, 2009 at 01:09 pm
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I will miss the Barking Room...I don't have a dog so I'd look in the window on my way to work and back to watch the dogs running around and playing. Instant stress relief, I tell you! I hope Lindsay gets her money back...it did close rather abruptly.
Nick Dashaye / March 3, 2009 at 08:59 am
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According to the owner of the other doggie day care Umbrella around the corner, The Barking Room was a front for selling drugs and they got busted. Worst part is that some dogs were left there after they got caught and the cops had to go in and rescue them.
I brought my dog there for the past couple years and was not surprised to hear this at all. It was a hack operation compared to any other daycare i have been too. No wonder there prices were so cheap. Just thankful my dog didnt get hurt or anything due to this.
Apple replying to a comment from Nick Dashaye / March 4, 2009 at 10:25 pm
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The girl that ran the Barking Room was an idiot. Not surprised that it closed down.
Nick Dashaye / March 5, 2009 at 08:17 am
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I couldnt agree more with you Apple.
My 6 month old nephew has more formal dog care training than she ever did.
Karen / March 6, 2009 at 10:44 am
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Hi - Did you know the owner of the Barking Room worked at Umbrella Pets at one time.I guess she decided to open her own store. I take my dog to Umbrella Pets and I cannot speak highly enough for the two women that run that wonderful place. They are very dedicated to all pets and their customers as well. They have moved though--they are now located on Niagara St.I just love those ladies.
Karen
Someone / March 10, 2009 at 12:23 am
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I know someone who worked at the Barking Room until its very last day. Like all the employees there, she was never paid on time and sometimes not at all - like everyone else, she was given no heads up about the store closing. What I hear is that the landlord came by one day and changed the locks because she hadn't gotten the rent money in some time. Every day I'd hear some new horror story about what went on in there - that place was like an insane asylum and those owners cartoon characters. One day I'd like to tell the whole story about the dark and horrible truth of The Barking Room - until then I can't say much more out of fear for the safety of my friend and myself.
Corina replying to a comment from Someone / March 10, 2009 at 01:51 am
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I am not at all surprised The Barking Room is gone...and quite agree with Apple above. The employees were totally rude to me and my friend, and implied that I was irresponsible for not putting my dog into daycare while I was at work. I was not at all impressed with their advice about dog grooming and would never have taken my dog there in a million years....

so glad it's closed down, now I don't have to feel bad for the fishtankfull of dogs in the front window.
Nick Dashaye replying to a comment from Someone / March 10, 2009 at 08:34 am
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I think you would be doing a great thing by telling the rest of us what it is you know about the barking room, "someone"?
Your identity and friends identity is of no concern to anyone here. Simply would like to get the facts straight. Having brought my dog there for a couple years, it is very disconcerting having to read what you wrote and would really appreciate clarification. My dog has social issues with other dogs and im worried now the negligance that staff provided could be part of his issues.
Also, to Corina's point, I agree with you as well. Almost everytime, without fail, when I would pick my dog up the staff would always make some sort of back handed comment about my dog and how misbehaved he was. For the life of me I couldnt figure out how each time he was being unruley when by all accounts he has never had any issues at any other dog care facilities. Now its clear to see it was their practices and negligant behaviour that increased his anxiety.
apple replying to a comment from Someone / March 13, 2009 at 01:34 pm
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Anna, the owner of the barking room, was so coked up i don't believe the business stayed open for as long as it did after her business partner left. The business was run by a bunch of drug dealing idiots that i'm surprised no dogs were injured under their care.
B replying to a comment from apple / March 13, 2009 at 02:08 pm
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And hear I thought all the sniffing going on there was the dogs.
Apparently not.
Andrea / March 27, 2009 at 09:44 pm
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I pre-paid my grooming sessions like an idiot! Do any of you know of any way of getting it back.....like finding Anna for one....or am I out of luck....please....I am out of $300. SUCKS!
Baring Room Customer / June 25, 2009 at 08:39 pm
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I agree with Nick about the comment from "someone". I took my dog there for a couple of years (at first a couple of times a week, but then after that very rarely). I figured not a lot could happen since they were all in the front window and anyone walking by could see.

This is an anonymous service and I think anyone who took their dog to this place would appreciate knowing what happened there. I hope you will change your mind and let us all know so we can have some peace of mind.
Rose / October 21, 2009 at 10:57 am
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According to a friend who is also Anna's friend, she is leaving for Europe - for good or just a visit, I don't know, he didn't give details. I'm not sure if he knows about The Barking Room closing down and how it was a front for dealing drugs. All the comments I've read are so disturbing and I feel really bad for all the former clients!
Pia / November 13, 2009 at 11:09 pm
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Anna's friend said that she has been in Berlin for three weeks. Hope you guys can still get back your money!
stephan / January 16, 2010 at 03:53 pm
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Noticed Coupe Space on Queen east is no more as well. Wasa cool gallery like space, but never was overly busy. Sadly a cool space with great art but with nowhere to sit and lounge during an event, made it hard to linger over beers.
someone2 / March 20, 2010 at 12:28 am
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I used to work for the Barking room. That place was so horrible. They wouldn't pay us for months at a time, but we couldn't quit because we needed our money. It was a horrible game we had to play with them and worst of all we were all getting paid under that table ( which I wasn't aware of either) We called the labor board several times ( they didn't help either) My friend didn't get paid about 800 bucks from them. Sorry for anyone who got a pre paid package but that was the plan all along. I had a feeling that they would kept pushing the packages so they could file for bankruptcy and pocket the cash.

But the good news is, the dogs where treated really well. Everyone who worked for Anna, loved all of those dogs... They where treated right and had lots of fun everyday. That is the only reason I miss that place because of those dogs :)
afriend / August 17, 2010 at 05:08 pm
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I've known Anna since she started grooming at Umbrella. She worked her ass off and has always been amazing with my dogs. It's a shame those two old ladies would say such awful things about her. The one old lady at Umbrella is an alcoholic. Everytime I've walked in there she stank like booze. Anna and the staff have always been nice to me. That poor girl's been through hell and back with that business. Her business partner stealing from the business really messed her up. I just hope she is doing well :)
Marc / August 17, 2010 at 07:28 pm
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The Barking Room - what a tragedy! That druggie/addict is pathetic and a liar. Besides the drug and illegal business charges, she should also be charged with animal cruelty charges because of how: 1) the shop was a front while the animals were there, 2) the dogs were under the care of someone of bad character and practise, as well as being high, reliant on substances, and altered by them, and 3) the risk of undesirable characters and trash coming into the premises.

If not for those other employees, who probably cared for the animals and treated them properly more than she did, those dogs might have been harmed by her - with the state she's in.
afriend isstupid / October 27, 2010 at 11:26 pm
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to "afriend": actually Anna's business partner didn't steal from the business. She GAVE the business to Anna because she suspected that Anna and her boyfriend was using it as a front for illegal activity when she came back from vacation. She was tired of all the bullsh*t and just wanted out. Anna's competence and character is evident in the way she bankrupted the business after just 11 months of running it on her own and pumping pre-paid packages and closing up shop shortly after. So, who do you think was stealing now??
grlyg / February 10, 2011 at 03:47 pm
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I used to own the Savannah Room and had to deal with the large distaste and not so good reputation. I tried my hardest to get the back room going first with live events. It was very very difficult. We did managed after two years to finally have something positive happen in that cursed spot. I was somewhat new at the game and I'm sure I didn't make everybody happy but I really tried to make it happen. The landlord at the time was no help what so ever even after I experienced a rain storm inside my venue. Her husband died and she had no clue (or it would seem) how to run her business. The building itself was in very very poor conditions.She was just holding out for the 3.5million she wanted for the building. Long of the short all the tough times of trying to make it work was not working and a family memeber became ill and I was tired....classic mistake of trying to wear all the hats and I burned out fast. Then a family member became sick and that was enough. The books were good enough that I sold it for 15grand more than what I paid for it. The new owner I sold it to really wanted to make it work and had the 5yrs of finances for it according to him. I passed on three months of booking which he told me he reaped the rewards. Apparently he did ok for a short while but its a hard business. Not too sure what happen with him but I talked to the new owner of the building who said that the guy just disappeared in the middle of the night. By the way I think he also bought the Zoo bar at the time and it suffered the same fate.Its hard running a bar and I only wish the best. All those kind friendly peeps who supported me especially the Comedians thank you for hanging in as long as you did. And yes I made mistakes but my heart was in the right place. Sorry I had to get rid of the drug dealers, bad karma and bringing in your own food lol. Maybe another go at it in the future with a proper partner this time. Good luck to all those who try.

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