Downtown coffee shop vandalized 3 times, MP alleges antisemitism


A coffee shop in downtown Toronto has been vandalized three times in the past year, including twice in one week, and a local MP is blaming antisemitism.

Cafe manager Wali Ullah said the attacks on Goldstruck Coffee on Richmond Street W. are taking a toll.

Last May, the coffee shop was broken into and valuables were stolen. Then, on March 16, its front window was smashed and valuables were taken. Days later, on March 23, its front glass door was shattered.

“It’s frustrating for us, for the team, for our community, for the customers. Overall, it’s heartbreaking. The owners are going through a lot,” Ullah said.

Ullah said there are repair costs and no revenue on the days that repairs are underway.

“Why us? Why small business owners or small business employees? We come every day to work. If you close down any place, if the owners, they cannot survive, if they close down any business, so all of us, all the community will be suffering, will have no job. It’s not a good thing. It’s not a kind thing.”

Ullah said the incidents could be considered hate crimes, though did not elaborate on why.

On Instagram, the owners say: “They may have shattered the glass but not our energy, our team, or our love for what we do. We’ll fix the glass (again), clean up (again), and open the doors (again). Because no matter what, you can’t break Goldstruck.”

Police not currently investigating cases as hate crimes

Toronto Police said they are investigating two incidents at Goldstruck Coffee’s Richmond Street W. location: a break and enter on March 16 and mischief on March 23.

“Both are currently under investigation, and there have been no arrests at this time,” police spokesperson Ashley Visser said in an email.

Wali Ullah Wali Ullah

Wali Ullah

Cafe manager Wali Ullah said the attacks on Goldstruck Coffee on Richmond Street W. are taking a toll. ‘It’s not a good thing. It’s not a kind thing,’ he says. (Mehrdad Nazarahari/CBC)

Visser said police are not currently investigating the two cases of vandalism as hate crimes but that could change at any point in the investigation.

MP Kevin Vuong, who represents Spadina-Fort York, drew attention to the attacks in a post on X on Tuesday, alleging the incidents were motivated by antisemitism and that the vandals targeted Goldstruck’s owners.

“As promised, I’m proud to be here in support of this incredible Jewish and family-owned Toronto small business!” Vuong said.

Local community showing support, cafe manager says

Ullah, meanwhile, said in an interview on Tuesday that both incidents in March were captured on security camera video. He said employees showed up last Sunday to find the glass front door shattered.

“After we checked the footage, we saw there was just a random guy, stalled in front of the door for about 20 seconds or something, and took out something from out of his pocket and just smashed the door and left,” he said.

Goldstruck Coffee 2Goldstruck Coffee 2

Goldstruck Coffee 2

The front glass door has been boarded up at Goldstruck Coffee. The local community has been quick to respond, with many regular customers making donations to help cover the cost of repairs. (Mehrdad Nazarahari/CBC)

The coffee shop has posted the video of the latest vandalism on Instagram.

A week before the most recent incident, another person was caught on video breaking the front window and using an umbrella to push past the shards. The person is seen moving through the coffee shop and grabbing a cash box before leaving.

Ullah said the local community has been quick to respond, with many regular customers making donations to help cover the cost of repairs.

Goldstruck Coffee runs two locations downtown, including one in Yorkville. Ullah said a third, as yet unopened, location was spray painted with a Star of David symbol last month.

The UJA Federation of Greater Toronto, a non-profit organization, said in a post on Instagram that it “condemns the repeated acts of vandalism on Goldstruck Coffee, a Jewish-owned business in Toronto.”

“Antisemitism and hate have no place in our city. As a community, we stand united against such hatred and will not be intimidated by those who seek to instill fear,” the UJA Federation said.



Source link

Visited 1 times, 1 visit(s) today

Related Article

How To Avoid Watered Down Keurig Coffee

D3sign/Getty Images If you’re a true coffee snob (err, connoisseur), you might spend half your morning tinkering to get the right water temperature, grind, and bloom to achieve the perfect pour-over. If you can’t be bothered, like me, then you’re probably all about K-Cups instead. These handy little

An Updated Guide to Valencia, Spain’s Specialty-Coffee Scene

Known for its beaches and laid-back rhythm, Valencia has quietly emerged as a force in Spain’s coffee scene. After two years away, we’re back with more cafés worth visiting in the coastal city. BY ISABELLE MANIBARISTA MAGAZINE ONLINE Featured photo by Chimo Garcia-Menacho de Vargas, courtesy of Valencia is Coffee Blending local charm with international

Latest Coffee Production Cost Report by Procurement Resource

Procurement Resource, a leading provider of procurement intelligence and market research solutions, has launched its latest Coffee Production Cost Report. This in-depth report provides a roadmap for entrepreneurs and businesses looking to establish a successful coffee production unit, offering critical insights into industry trends, plant setup, machinery requirements, cost structures, and investment opportunities. Request for

De’Longhi’s New La Specialista Review by a Former Barista

Having worked in a lot of cafes over the years, I’m confident I can recognize a good machine when I see one. Does it look sleek on the counter? Does it pull a perfectly creamy espresso shot? As such, De’Longhi has long been a brand I’ve wanted to try, and the recent release of the

Coffee Machine Market Hits New High

Coffee Machine Market HTF MI just released the Global Coffee Machine Market Study, a comprehensive analysis of the market that spans more than 143+ pages and describes the product and industry scope as well as the market prognosis and status for 2025-2032. The marketization process is being accelerated by the market study’s segmentation by important

Headlines from the Coffee Industry

Our recurring round-up of the latest specialty-coffee industry news. FROM STAFF REPORTS Featured image by Joshua Earle SANA Launches Mental Health & Wellness Program for Women Coffee Farmers SANA has launched its mental health and wellness program to support women coffee farmers. Image courtesy of Lucia Bawot. After a successful pilot in Colombia, SANA is officially launching

Explore the Diverse Offerings of Therobot

In the ever-evolving landscape of coffee consumption, The Robot Coffee Machine emerges as a game-changer, offering a plethora of options that extend far beyond traditional coffee brewing. According to the National Coffee Association, 62% of Americans consume coffee daily, leading to an increased demand for convenience and variety in preparation methods. The Robot Coffee Machine

How Cafes Are Responding to Fear

Amid the turmoil and uncertainty that many of us are feeling, a café can act as a sanctuary—the ultimate safe space. BY MEGAN LLOYDFOR BARISTA MAGAZINE Featured photo by Emma Ou A coffee shop has always been more than a place to drink a caffeinated beverage. Often referred to as a “third space,” or a

Skip the Coffee Shop With $200 Off Our Favorite Breville Espresso Machines

If you’re a true coffee enthusiast who enjoys making a variety of espresso drinks, not just any pod machine will get the job done. Upgrading to a semiautomatic espresso machine can help you live out your barista dreams at home, and Breville makes some of the best. The quality of the espresso these machines brew

Where To Drink Coffee In Hong Kong’s Sheung Wan Neighborhood

Hong Kong is dense. Its buildings, with their varying lines, curves, stacks, and layers, present a unique fingerprint in the city’s iconic skyline—the jaggedness hinting at a seemingly infinite race towards the sky among the architectural giants. Getting lost is an adventure in itself and is probably my favorite way of exploring the city. From

I went hands-on with LG’s coffee-making robot — here’s what happened

I recently had the chance to go to LG’s HQ in South Korea, where I was able to get hands-on with some quirky products I’d never seen before. This included LG’s Ground 220, an experiential space in Seoul where users can play with LG appliances before they buy. And amidst the smart fridges, microwaves, and

A Champion of Vietnamese Coffee

We speak to Tú, the creator of the Phinoi filter, about his shop’s pay-as-you-feel model and his belief in fine robusta. BY VASILEIA FANARIOTISENIOR ONLINE CORRESPONDENT Photos courtesy of Vu Dình Tú In Vietnam’s fast-evolving specialty-coffee scene, Refined. stands out not just for its focus on fine robusta, but for its unconventional business model and

The Best Early Prime Day Deals on De’Longhi Espresso Machines

Retail overlord Jeff Bezos might’ve gifted guests at his lavish Venetian wedding Amazon slippers, but if your invite to his nuptials got lost in the mail, fear not — Italian luxury is still within reach thanks to the De’Longhi deals for Prime Day. Call this early Prime Day deal a honeymoon gift: De’Longhi, makers of

0
Would love your thoughts, please comment.x
()
x