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Collingwood caesar bar wants to keep its patio through the winter

'The extension would be an asset not only for us but for the community and town,' says owner
2018-10-15 Caesar JO-001
1858 Caesar Bar on Hurontario Street in Collingwood. Jessica Owen/CollingwoodToday

Steve and Vanessa Walker, owners of 1858 Caesar Bar in Collingwood, came before council this week to request an extension of their patio through the winter.

“We choose the name 1858 because we wanted something unique that represented the town and history of Collingwood and 1858 is when the town was incorporated,” the Walkers wrote in their request to the town.

The bar touts itself as Canada's first and currently only Caesar bar.

“We’ve become a draw. Because of that, the current space we’re in is very small and intimate, however our exterior patio allows us to serve another eight people,” Steve Walker said when he addressed council.

“We feel that in giving a unique winter experience for our patrons and visitors, the extension would be an asset not only for us but for the community and town," he added. 

Walker outlined steps the bar would be willing to take to assist with snow removal should the town approve the extension, including taking on the responsibility for snow removal on the corner of Hurontario and Third streets, covering the costs associated with doing so, and ensuring safety to prevent slips and falls.

“I feel like we’re taking on a risk (too), because I don’t know how much it will draw to us; however we feel it will be an asset and if we pay for the snow removal... we ask that you consider this,” said Walker.

Coun. Deb Doherty wanted to defer the motion.

“The reason I’m suggesting that, as the proponents have said, perhaps there may be an opportunity to look at this on a test basis,” she said. “I would like to request that the BIA, who have not been involved in this conversation thus far, and staff, take a look at the possibility of doing it on a test basis.”

“I think that spending a little more time looking at it and the pros and cons may be worthwhile before we make a decision.”

Coun. Kevin Lloyd asked what the current dates are on the books for patios, and was told that currently, they must be taken down by Oct. 31, and can be put back up as of April 1.

“I kind of agree with Coun. Doherty and in that review, maybe we could look at extending those dates into November or December before the real onslaught of snow comes,” he said. “It also might be wise if we looked at, if the patios are granted the extension, that they have to be against the building.”

Coun. Kathy Jeffery said she really liked the idea, and also liked Doherty’s suggestion that it be a test case.

“An extension conditional on those safety aspects being met, I think to defer it... I’m not sure what we would come up with beyond what we know right now,” she said.

Coun. Cam Ecclestone said he’d be prepared to give them an extension until year end to see how it goes.

The deferral passed, however town clerk Sara Almas spoke up to remind council that as Monday was the last council meeting before the new council is sworn in in December, there’s no time to defer the matter to.

“I would request if council would consider amending the motion,” said Almas, asking to delegate authority on the motion to CAO Fareed Amin.

“Then the CAO would have the authority to demand requirements and if the property owner could not meet them, then it would not happen,” she said.

Council then opted to rescind the deferral motion, and instead voted unanimously in favour of the CAO being given the authority to set the requirements for the patio in consultation with the director of public works and engineering.

All councillors voted in favour of delegating authority on the matter to Amin.


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Jessica Owen

About the Author: Jessica Owen

Jessica Owen is an experienced journalist working for Village Media since 2018, primarily covering Collingwood and education.
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