The Annex café at the corner of Bathurst and Bloor has announced its closing after 12 years in business. The announcement came ahead of the pandemic crisis and reportedly as the building had been sold by the tenant’s parent company.

Since no tenant was immediately found, the owners reopened a temporary takeout window on May 7. They will continue serving coffee, tea, ice cream and small bags of freshly roasted beans, until a new occupant is secured. 

The Green Beanery café-roastery was a popular source for coffee beans and equipment for Annex’s locals since it opened in 2008.

“Green Beanery began as an experiment in fundraising for Probe International, our charitable foundation. We wanted this enterprise to embody our ideals of bringing together small coffee farmers and Canadians who loved their unique coffees,” reads their statement. “We also wanted to recreate a coffee house of old, without WiFi, where all could come to imbibe superb coffee and explore the important issues of the day without fear of intolerance. We hope we have succeeded.”

The café was a beloved space to connect for the political discussion group Grounds for Thought, and from “first dates (and even proposals), to meetings and poetry readings.”

“We want to extend our heartfelt thanks to you, our loyal customers and friends, who have made this café such a great success,” the statement reads in part.

While the company has closed a location on Bloor Street, it remains in business. 

“We are very happy to share the news that our online coffee equipment and bean sales will continue from new locations run by Green Beanery staff and associates,” says the statement.

The Green Beanery takeout window at the corner of Bathurst and Bloor is open every day of the week from 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. for fresh beans, beverages and ice-cream to go until further notice. 

—Tanya Ielyseieva, Gleaner News