Neighbourhood cafe will be forced to close soon without more support in Toronto
Published December 10, 2025 at 10:56 am
A local Toronto neighbourhood business will be forced to close early next year if it doesn’t get more support.
Buvette Pacey describes itself as a neighbourhood cafe and drinkery serving coffee, beer, wine and cocktails, but it’s obvious from a post on social media written by Rowan Jetté Knox that it’s also so much more than that.
The post consists of a series of photos with the caption “So much love for queer-owned small business.”
“I want to introduce you to Shabri and her dog, Pacey. This is their spot, Buvette Pacey (yes, named after him). And they could use our support. Buvette Pacey is a special little place owned by a queer woman of colour,” the post begins.
“Times are tough for many small businesses right now, and Buvette Pacey is one of them. Business has to pick up or they’ll be forced to close early next year. I can’t imagine this special place no longer being here. It means a lot to many of us. So, what can we do to keep this warm and welcoming space alive and well?”
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The post goes on to say that the local community in Toronto can help save this valuable small business in many simple and small ways that are unexpectedly powerful. To help save Buvette Pacey, you can stop in for an alcoholic or non-alcoholic, caffeinated or uncaffeinated beverage as well as a snack, and also check out one of their many events.
The post has gotten around a whopping 1,300 likes on Instagram, with many people responding to the post in support of Buvette Pacey.
“The importance of queer community can’t be understated, and it’s wonderful to see folks supporting one another,” one commenter wrote.
The post from Rowan Jetté Knox ends with the words “The more we show up for small, queer-owned businesses, the more our community thrives.”
Knox would know all about what it takes to make a community thrive, as an award-winning journalist, mental health advocate and trauma survivor who’s also a trans man and a dad.
Knox is even hoping to add to the community of small queer-owned businesses in Toronto soon to keep our city thriving, currently working on opening an inclusive coffee shop and wine bar of his own someday soon, called Understory.
You can support Buvette Pacey by visiting them at 141 Berkeley St. at Queen East and Berkeley near Parliament Street.