Sam James Coffee Bar evicted from Ossington location

It won't be a merry Christmas for coffee pocket fans because Sam James Coffee Bar (SJCB) will be closing up its Ossington (OZ) location on December 24.

When new owners took over the building at the corner of Queen and Ossington, which is also home to Stussy, Sam James wasn't too worried.

In August, however, he got an eviction notice and thought a new condo was imminent. "I was kind of trying to rationalize it and just be like, this is just doing business in the city, this is what Queen Street is turning into anyways, so maybe it's for the best," he says.

James later learned that a large American brand was taking over the entire building, including the Stussy store. So, he began reaching out to the company in the hopes of remaining in what he describes as his favourite SJCB location.

"I've been communicating back-and-forth with them and trying to line something up where they could recognize the positives of potentially having us stay there instead of evicting a neighbourhood coffee shop," he says.

Despite his efforts, he won't be able to remain in his current OZ space. He announced his departure today on Instagram and via a not-so-pleased sign that now graces the front door to the ill-fated location.

Photo via @samjamescoffeebar.