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<title>blogTO Recent Comments: The Future of Future Bakery's Patio</title>
<link>http://www.blogto.com/feed/recentcomments/?12018</link>
<description>Comments recently made in this post on blogTO</description>
<copyright>Copyright 2009</copyright>
<lastBuildDate>Sat, 21 Nov 2009 22:39:13 PST</lastBuildDate>
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<title>Keith Sharp</title>
<description><![CDATA[
The July 2009 murder behind the Brunswick House was a senseless tragedy, and our thoughts are with the victim's family.  Those of us who live nearby were not too surprised, given events of the last couple of years. But now the City and police authorities have stepped up their monitoring of the local bars.  My nine-year-old daughter several time a day walks past the urine-smelling alleyway where the victim died - we live 30 metres away.  But there seems to be hope that in a few years the neighborhood will be a place to walk at night - and maybe even to sleep at night.  Before the authorities' response to the murder, it seemed likely that Brunswick/Bloor would soon become a place where no-one wanted to go late at night without a huge dog and a Kevlar vest.]]>
</description>
<link>http://www.blogto.com/eat_drink/2009/01/the_future_of_future_bakerys_patio/#c693947</link>
<guid>http://www.blogto.com/eat_drink/2009/01/the_future_of_future_bakerys_patio/#c693947</guid>
<category>Toronto, Eat & Drink</category>
<pubDate>Sun, 27 Sep 2009 15:14:07 PDT</pubDate>
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<title>MB</title>
<description><![CDATA[
Agreed.  The Bloor/Brunswick corner is profoundly changed since the night closings of the Futures and Labyrinth patios - these fixtures brought life and color, and arguably safety, to the night-life of the neighborhood.  Now that they are closed, the sounds of late-night patio guests has been replaced by the sounds of gunfire and a recent senseless murder.  The eccentric NIMBY won the battle to change the neighborhood, but, I believe they may have lost the war.]]>
</description>
<link>http://www.blogto.com/eat_drink/2009/01/the_future_of_future_bakerys_patio/#c643759</link>
<guid>http://www.blogto.com/eat_drink/2009/01/the_future_of_future_bakerys_patio/#c643759</guid>
<category>Toronto, Eat & Drink</category>
<pubDate>Sun, 26 Jul 2009 12:24:31 PDT</pubDate>
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<title>Cooper Hughes</title>
<description><![CDATA[
hey everyone, look what I found on an other blog
 
 
Back to the Future's


Yup, it's that time again. With sun umbrellas spread wide open, customers in shorts and shades, and pitchers of the finest local brews waiting to be poured, Toronto's patio season is back in full swing―at least for most bars. But unfortunately for a few, and a few very near and dear to our hearts (and livers), some outdoor havens are left stuck in limbo.

It's been far too long since we've heard about the official rulings for Future Bakery and the Labyrinth (nothing since some speculation from when the heat lamps were still on in January and February). We didn't really know what to expect until we saw those glorious doors open, bringing on all we'd hoped for―visions of Oreo cheesecake and Creemore Springs dancing in our heads―that was, until 11 p.m., when the doors closed prematurely, and the patio shut down to our utter dismay. And worse yet, the doors next door failed to open altogether. Skimming the web, we found no recent word from local news outlets, nothing beyond vicious commentary on the blogosphere. It took a few phone calls to find out just what is happening to our beloved Bloor West bakery and its newer neighbour.

Both Future's and The Labyrinth were bought out by Sumit Kapur early last year. And in Toronto, when a bar takes on new ownership, the owner must reapply for two new permits―one from the AGCO and a City of Toronto patio permit for use of a public sidewalk, one that cannot be obtained without the agreement of the community surrounding the patio. Since the sidewalk, as a rule, belongs to the city and its citizens, it is the latter license that came under contention when the transfer of ownership gave neighbours a chance to state their case about the state of the two patios.

Kapur has thus far had two meetings with the Harbord Village Residents' Association (representative of the area of Spadina to Bathurst between College and Bloor and not a part of the Annex as the common reference would entail), the first on January 26, co-chaired by Councillor Adam Vaughan and the residents' association Chair Gus Sinclair, and the second on April 3 with Vaughan and his constituency assistant Dale Duncan. Duncan told us that the first meeting set out to discuss concerns and the second to solidify details―which patios will be open and at what times. Although both patios, under new ownership, inherited a 2 a.m. closing time, some residents with the HVRA requested an earlier closing for The Labyrinth at the second meeting. They complained not of over-served liquor, but of lack of control―no one on the patio to control a few belligerent smokers making early mornings miserable for locals. They say the intention was never to close The Lab's patio altogether, but rather, to start off with a more reasonable time for the more rambunctious patio of the two, with the premise of a later closing time in the future should it prove permissible.

Kapur, however, wanted full-fledged operating hours―when we talked to Vaughan, he told us that Kapur "wouldn't take yes for an answer" when offered a compromise. Kapur rejected the notion to give the patio an early bedtime altogether, refusing to bargain with the residents and agitating an already fragile relationship. It was at this meeting that Vaughan gave what the HRVA refers to as the "garbage-dump analogy," asking Kapur if he then should be allowed put a garbage transfer station in a lot on Brunswick Street that works at all hours of the night and is both smelly and noisy, to which Kapur nodded his head. Strike two. After being denied their request, the residents decided to withdraw their initial offer, leaving Kapur and the patios with the hours under which it currently operates―Future's till 11 p.m. and The Lab, zilch, nada, zip.]]>
</description>
<link>http://www.blogto.com/eat_drink/2009/01/the_future_of_future_bakerys_patio/#c642233</link>
<guid>http://www.blogto.com/eat_drink/2009/01/the_future_of_future_bakerys_patio/#c642233</guid>
<category>Toronto, Eat & Drink</category>
<pubDate>Wed, 22 Jul 2009 17:27:21 PDT</pubDate>
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<title>C. Martinez</title>
<description><![CDATA[
The neighbourhood is getting worse and out of control without Futures / Labs late night patios to combat the Brunny. There is no eyes on the street anymore.  I’ve noticed an increase in broken car glass, more violent fights at the Brunny, the customers of the Brunny were throwing rocks at people and cars on Bloor St. a week ago, a sexual assault happened just over a month ago, now there’s graffiti on the Brunswick wall.  When that happens drugs and gangs are close to follow.  I’ll bet the Brunny is laughing their asses off, the residents just wanted someone to hang and they will never admit they were wrong, and know the whole neighbourhood is paying the price of these handfuls of people.   Paupers has a fairly large patio they don’t have any issues, it’s because they have the luxury of the Brunswick House not being next door to them]]>
</description>
<link>http://www.blogto.com/eat_drink/2009/01/the_future_of_future_bakerys_patio/#c638793</link>
<guid>http://www.blogto.com/eat_drink/2009/01/the_future_of_future_bakerys_patio/#c638793</guid>
<category>Toronto, Eat & Drink</category>
<pubDate>Thu, 16 Jul 2009 12:55:33 PDT</pubDate>
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<title>John W.</title>
<description><![CDATA[
As an Annex resident, I have been living here for 5 years. What attracted me to this neighbourhood were Futures and the Lab and their late night patios. I also feel that Futures and the Lab late night patios are the main reasons the Annex is so successful; they should be given special status until 3AM! Don’t take away the essence of the Annex. If the Lab and Futures patio ends up being limited hours, then it’s only fair to have the rest of the patios like Paupers, Kilgors, Madison and any other late night patio be closed at 11pm. I’ll gather a small group and make sure of that. Futures/Lab patios are the holy ground of the Annex.]]>
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<link>http://www.blogto.com/eat_drink/2009/01/the_future_of_future_bakerys_patio/#c633601</link>
<guid>http://www.blogto.com/eat_drink/2009/01/the_future_of_future_bakerys_patio/#c633601</guid>
<category>Toronto, Eat & Drink</category>
<pubDate>Thu, 09 Jul 2009 02:10:03 PDT</pubDate>
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<title>Gerald</title>
<description><![CDATA[
I live in the Annex area, and I wanted to mention something to the people that live on Brunswick: you need to take into consideration that the patios have been there for 20 years. Most of the residents were aware that they existed, yet still chose to move in. For the people who purchased a home, I think it’s time you take responsibility for the choices you’ve made. If you live near a major street, then accept the consequences of living there.  Furthermore, it is well known that for over 100 years the Brunswick House is known for drunkenness.  I don’t have much sympathy for the residents of Brunswick Ave. 

You people want everyone to suffer for your bad decision, that’s not fair to the rest of the neighbourhood.  In regards to the Lab, it may have a slightly different business function but without a doubt it is considered an extension of Futures and they share the same kitchen.  Both patios are the jewel of the Annex’s crown.  I refuse to let a handful of people take away the wonderful social liberties that the Annex has to offer and turn it into a lame suburb.


]]>
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<link>http://www.blogto.com/eat_drink/2009/01/the_future_of_future_bakerys_patio/#c633312</link>
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<category>Toronto, Eat & Drink</category>
<pubDate>Wed, 08 Jul 2009 17:59:21 PDT</pubDate>
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<title>Mark Hamstum</title>
<description><![CDATA[
It is obvious that the real concern regarding late night noise and debauchery is the Brunswick House. Even though the Brunny does not have a patio, overflow from inside of the bar is the main cause of the chaos usually heard during the night. It is clear that Future’s and the Lab are being used as scapegoats by the neighbourhood as a result of their frustrations with the Brunswick. Just because there is no recourse by the city and the neighbourhood concerning the Brunny’s noise level, does not mean that other establishments should pay the consequences. If the Brunny wasn’t there we would not be having these conversations, so stop using Futures and the lab as a punching bag.]]>
</description>
<link>http://www.blogto.com/eat_drink/2009/01/the_future_of_future_bakerys_patio/#c632680</link>
<guid>http://www.blogto.com/eat_drink/2009/01/the_future_of_future_bakerys_patio/#c632680</guid>
<category>Toronto, Eat & Drink</category>
<pubDate>Tue, 07 Jul 2009 19:38:12 PDT</pubDate>
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<title>Jane</title>
<description><![CDATA[
Funny you mentioned that, I have noticed the longer line ups at the Brunny, and I saw one line go to the middle of BMV book store and beyond.]]>
</description>
<link>http://www.blogto.com/eat_drink/2009/01/the_future_of_future_bakerys_patio/#c629825</link>
<guid>http://www.blogto.com/eat_drink/2009/01/the_future_of_future_bakerys_patio/#c629825</guid>
<category>Toronto, Eat & Drink</category>
<pubDate>Thu, 02 Jul 2009 18:45:07 PDT</pubDate>
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<title>David</title>
<description><![CDATA[
Hi everyone, I just wanted to let you know that I am absolutely livid. My girlfriend’s friend works at the Brunswick House; she told us that the Brunny is now enjoying record sales due to the Futures patio closing early and no patio at the Lab.   What upsets me the most is when she mentioned that they signed on a prestigious downtown law firm that could delay any charges to the end of time.  The tourists that would normally stick around at Futures and at the lab go to see what the big deal is at the Brunny.  Thanks non-supporters for fuelling the enemy.  And the funny thing is that in the back of my mind I had a feeling this would happen.    

]]>
</description>
<link>http://www.blogto.com/eat_drink/2009/01/the_future_of_future_bakerys_patio/#c629814</link>
<guid>http://www.blogto.com/eat_drink/2009/01/the_future_of_future_bakerys_patio/#c629814</guid>
<category>Toronto, Eat & Drink</category>
<pubDate>Thu, 02 Jul 2009 18:25:10 PDT</pubDate>
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<title>carl</title>
<description><![CDATA[
adam vaughn can't relate to all the university kids that go to futures and lab because he never went to university himself! he's always hating on these kids and the people that cater to them, and that includes the brunswick hous. you all should stop talking shit about brunswick house because it's tha best place to get drinks and have a good time! everyone should just stop whining already!!!
peace]]>
</description>
<link>http://www.blogto.com/eat_drink/2009/01/the_future_of_future_bakerys_patio/#c626659</link>
<guid>http://www.blogto.com/eat_drink/2009/01/the_future_of_future_bakerys_patio/#c626659</guid>
<category>Toronto, Eat & Drink</category>
<pubDate>Fri, 26 Jun 2009 18:22:41 PDT</pubDate>
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<title>Dave M.</title>
<description><![CDATA[
There is no reason why the lab cannot serve brunch, lunch and dinner... and close by 10:00. 

What resident in their right mind can see a problem with that... Why hurt a business when they don't do anything to you... 

]]>
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<link>http://www.blogto.com/eat_drink/2009/01/the_future_of_future_bakerys_patio/#c625666</link>
<guid>http://www.blogto.com/eat_drink/2009/01/the_future_of_future_bakerys_patio/#c625666</guid>
<category>Toronto, Eat & Drink</category>
<pubDate>Wed, 24 Jun 2009 16:55:19 PDT</pubDate>
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<title>John</title>
<description><![CDATA[
It's interesting that the Annex Live has applied for a patio license. I'm going to wager that Vaughn suddenly has a soft spot for the owner of that bar. Why? Vaughn is quite close to the owner of the Annex Live bar: he was the best man at his brother's wedding. But hey, I'm sure that will have absolutely nothing to do with his reasoning on that matter. 

These residents are duped big time. Closing Lab has made the Brunswick House all the more powerful. They want to think that by closing the Lab, all the noise problems will go away. Instead of putting checks and balances (a sound barrier, anyone?), they wanted to throw the whole damn thing out. Both Futures and Lab will now struggle. ]]>
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<link>http://www.blogto.com/eat_drink/2009/01/the_future_of_future_bakerys_patio/#c624534</link>
<guid>http://www.blogto.com/eat_drink/2009/01/the_future_of_future_bakerys_patio/#c624534</guid>
<category>Toronto, Eat & Drink</category>
<pubDate>Mon, 22 Jun 2009 19:51:28 PDT</pubDate>
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<title>Martha Smeaton</title>
<description><![CDATA[
Dear Sam,

You say that your "fears have been realized" because the Alex Live has applied for a patio licence. Unless the patio licence is actually *granted*, your fears have not been realized.]]>
</description>
<link>http://www.blogto.com/eat_drink/2009/01/the_future_of_future_bakerys_patio/#c622674</link>
<guid>http://www.blogto.com/eat_drink/2009/01/the_future_of_future_bakerys_patio/#c622674</guid>
<category>Toronto, Eat & Drink</category>
<pubDate>Fri, 19 Jun 2009 13:23:15 PDT</pubDate>
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<title>Sam</title>
<description><![CDATA[
Whoever says that the majority of residents of Brunswick do not object to the Labyrinth's patio is not correct. I live on the street & have spoken to many of my neighbours & I have heard not one that supports the licence for a Lab patio or any more patios on our street. 
About the patios are "marching towards you" problem, the Alex Live which is south of the Lab & even closer to the homes has now applied for a patio. Our fears have been realized & this application is despite the owner of the Alex Live previously giving his word not to apply for a patio when he was granted his licence for his establishment. We supported the Alex Live based on the promise & now a patio licence was requested. We support the Future patio but don't ask for any more. ]]>
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<link>http://www.blogto.com/eat_drink/2009/01/the_future_of_future_bakerys_patio/#c619949</link>
<guid>http://www.blogto.com/eat_drink/2009/01/the_future_of_future_bakerys_patio/#c619949</guid>
<category>Toronto, Eat & Drink</category>
<pubDate>Sun, 14 Jun 2009 22:06:04 PDT</pubDate>
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<title>Dave</title>
<description><![CDATA[
The Lab patio needs to be open until 11:00pm there is no harm in that... ]]>
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<link>http://www.blogto.com/eat_drink/2009/01/the_future_of_future_bakerys_patio/#c619944</link>
<guid>http://www.blogto.com/eat_drink/2009/01/the_future_of_future_bakerys_patio/#c619944</guid>
<category>Toronto, Eat & Drink</category>
<pubDate>Sun, 14 Jun 2009 21:23:40 PDT</pubDate>
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<title>s</title>
<description><![CDATA[
both gail and keith have important points.  the lab patio is in a resedential zone which implies certain allowances such as residents' input.  however, the neighbourhood of brunswick and bloor is a very lively one.  if the patio at the Lab is closed there will still being noise resulting from: the Brunswick house (some nights), the Tranzac, Future's Patio, the Green Room and the Annex Live, not to mention general traffic in the the area.  While the Lab patio may be fifty feet or so closer to residents, there is no way to prove that "obscenities" heard by people's children at night come directly from the Lab.  I think the patio should be at least open until 11; after 11 I realize that there is a noise by-law which should be maintained, but Future's has seemed to have abided by the 11pm deadline with great respect, and given the fact that the Lab is owned by the SAME people, I think they will have no trouble in abiding by it too.]]>
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<link>http://www.blogto.com/eat_drink/2009/01/the_future_of_future_bakerys_patio/#c618454</link>
<guid>http://www.blogto.com/eat_drink/2009/01/the_future_of_future_bakerys_patio/#c618454</guid>
<category>Toronto, Eat & Drink</category>
<pubDate>Fri, 12 Jun 2009 03:14:53 PDT</pubDate>
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<title>Martha Smeaton</title>
<description><![CDATA[
If the issue is the Lab and not Future's, then why does Future's patio close at 11 pm?]]>
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<link>http://www.blogto.com/eat_drink/2009/01/the_future_of_future_bakerys_patio/#c615814</link>
<guid>http://www.blogto.com/eat_drink/2009/01/the_future_of_future_bakerys_patio/#c615814</guid>
<category>Toronto, Eat & Drink</category>
<pubDate>Sat, 06 Jun 2009 23:32:21 PDT</pubDate>
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<title>Dave</title>
<description><![CDATA[
The majority of the people who live on Brunswick would choose to have The Lab patio open...   Not the private handful that actually had it shut down.  The lab patio should be open...  The fact that a handful of people and a counselor had it shut down is ridiculous... you didn't even let them build some kind of sound barrier to shield most of the noise...  They do work, I know about sound engineering, You could have had it open with the proper sound barrier....  That would have made the most sense.   The lab is not the isssue, The is not rowdy like it was 4+ years ago...  And by having the labs patio closed...  you have just empowered The Brunny...   So congratulations...  Way to feed the beast?  


]]>
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<link>http://www.blogto.com/eat_drink/2009/01/the_future_of_future_bakerys_patio/#c615689</link>
<guid>http://www.blogto.com/eat_drink/2009/01/the_future_of_future_bakerys_patio/#c615689</guid>
<category>Toronto, Eat & Drink</category>
<pubDate>Sat, 06 Jun 2009 16:15:36 PDT</pubDate>
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<title>Gail</title>
<description><![CDATA[
Like Mr. Sharp, I live on Brunswick near Bloor and have for the last 16 years.  The late night/early morning noise, vandalism of property, cars going the wrong way down the street, beer bottles and cans flung into our yards, and people coming into our gardens to urinate, have all got far worse over this period. There is no doubt that it is related to how late people are getting out of bars or off patios in the area. 
Once Future changed hands, it had to reapply for a patio licence for each of the Lab and Future patios.
The City has by-laws and rules about who can get a patio licence, for what hours, and under what conditions.  That is just a feature of living in a civilized city, and businesses in Toronto know what they have to do if they want a patio licence.  Part of the licencing process is that those who live within a certain distance of the applicant business have to be notified of the application, and a majority would have to agree to the granting of the licence or not.  
That being said, the neighbours who were most likely to be affected by the patio licence applications did not oppose the Future patio licence, but the owner of the Future simply did not make his application in a timely manner for the start of the summer season, and hence, the patio did not open.  As soon as he did so, the patio licence was granted, and we are all happy to see it open again.  
The Lab patio is another story, and the majority of the residents do not support it.  
This may be galling to those who do not live on this street, but the City's rules are not designed to be responsive to people who are not going to be most affected by an issue but rather for those who are.  We on Brunswick would have no right to say what should or should not happen on other people's streets or in their neighbourhoods, and vice versa. ]]>
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<link>http://www.blogto.com/eat_drink/2009/01/the_future_of_future_bakerys_patio/#c613321</link>
<guid>http://www.blogto.com/eat_drink/2009/01/the_future_of_future_bakerys_patio/#c613321</guid>
<category>Toronto, Eat & Drink</category>
<pubDate>Tue, 02 Jun 2009 18:00:12 PDT</pubDate>
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<title>Jeff M.</title>
<description><![CDATA[
Mr. Sharp, 

Ridiculous reasoning, Mr Sharp.  Your demands are going too far! 
There are patios all over the city that are closer to residential houses than Future Bistro and Lab are to the houses on Brunswick Avenue.  They all have the right to host customers until at least 11pm, if not 2am.  Shall we revoke their rights too?  Certainly not since it is the existence of those public meeting spaces that gives the community its cultural capital.  Would you prefer no licensed patios at all in the city of Toronto?  Have you even sat on Future's patio at midnight for a cheesecake?  Those folks are not rowdy!  You should never take your children to the mall, the beach or for a walk along Bloor street during the day for fear of hearing obscenities!  You chose to live in a lively community.  Do not try to completely change it now!  As stated in the above blogs, there has been patio activity on that corner for 17 years at least.  Closing the Lab at 11pm seems like a fair compromise. 

I am disappointed in you and the city of Toronto for allowing this to happen to such an important Toronto landmark.

Jeff Maclure, Annex Resident]]>
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<link>http://www.blogto.com/eat_drink/2009/01/the_future_of_future_bakerys_patio/#c613114</link>
<guid>http://www.blogto.com/eat_drink/2009/01/the_future_of_future_bakerys_patio/#c613114</guid>
<category>Toronto, Eat & Drink</category>
<pubDate>Tue, 02 Jun 2009 13:44:49 PDT</pubDate>
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