After frustrating summer, city launches revised CaféTO application process

It's frigid outside now, but Toronto is already planning for the 2024 patio season. 

On Monday, the city opened applications for the CaféTO curb lane patio program, promising an improved experience for restaurateurs after a 2023 season rife with challenges and delays. The program began as a pandemic measure but is now heading into its second permanent year.

Business owners told CBC Toronto last summer that a disorganized process led to delays in opening their patios, costing them valuable time to host patrons outside during Toronto's short summer season. 

The city consulted with business owners to try to solve last year's issues, said Barbara Gray, Toronto's general manager of transportation services. As a result, she says the process is starting earlier. Last year, applications opened in February.

Gray says about 220 business operators who are returning to the program have already been sent pre-approval notices.

"We don't need to redo all of the safety setup [and] traffic control plans," she said. "Those are already something they can use again, and they can take advantage of that and make it a much more streamlined process."

Along with pre-approvals, the city says it's created a more user friendly online application portal and increased staff support for businesses as they work their way through the steps.

Gray says the city's goal is to have 90 per cent of participating businesses set up by Victoria Day weekend in May. 

That's welcome news for Nicky Potter, co-owner of The Painted Lady bar and live music venue on Toronto's popular Ossington Avenue, south of Dundas Street W.

Potter's bar has been participating in the program since its inception and she was elated to see it become a permanent part of the city's summer programming. However, she says last year her CaféTO patio wasn't ready until late June. 

"[The summer] season is so short and so important to all main street businesses," she said.

"It was a little disheartening last year when it took so long for us to be able to open up."

Potter is confident the Victoria Day target can be hit. 

"We have no reason to believe that it won't happen. This city hall that we're working with right now is very responsive," she said. "They really want to make stuff happen."