Fearful of drunken outsiders flooding their area, some residents in Toronto’s Little Portugal neighbourhood want to prevent a local coffee shop catering to cyclists from receiving a liquor licence.

Fix Coffee + Bikes opened two years ago on Gladstone Ave. at the former location of a Portuguese grocery store, and since then has carved out a niche as a specialty coffee bar and cycle repair shop. Owned by Fred Sztabinski, the space also hosts regular art exhibitions inspired by cycling, as well as community events.

But residents like Bill Ikos say granting the business a liquor licence will not only mean more outsiders in the neighbourhood, it could set a “dangerous precedent” emboldening other bars to set up operation in the area, resulting in “alcohol madness.”

“Once you allow one establishment a liquor licence you don’t know what’s happening next,” said Ikos, whose family has lived on Gladstone for over four decades. “We want to convey the message that Little Portugal has been quiet for years and people who live here, many of them seniors, are afraid of the future (if a liquor licence is granted).”

Ikos and fellow neighbours, many of them longtime residents of the neighbourhood like him, launched a petition against Fix Coffee + Bikes. A public meeting was also organized by local councillor Ana Bailao at Alexander Muir Public School this week specifically to discuss the matter.

For his part, Sztabinski says he’s bewildered by the opposition to the liquor licence, which he says he decided to pursue after hearing from customers who liked the idea of enjoying a glass of wine or craft beer at the shop following a long day’s ride.

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After hearing that, Sztabinski said he applied for a provincial licence to sell alcohol inside the 30-seat establishment until 9 p.m. when the café closes. He said he went door-to-door and distributed a letter detailing his plans. Having faced little community outcry in the past, Sztabinski figured there wouldn’t be any major opposition.

“I thought (the application) would raise a few eyebrows, but I didn’t anticipate this kind of response,” he said.

Another local resident Nancy Ennis attended the meeting unsure about the liquor licence, but was reassured in her dealings with Sztabinski, who she described as a “lovely guy.”

Ennis, 70, said in an email that she’s now strongly in favour of the café receiving a licence.

“I was surprised at the hostility, rudeness and general vituperativeness of most of the participants,” said Ennis. “It was then I was definite about supporting Fred, as is my partner.”

Bailao said the city has formally opposed the application to the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario, something it does for any liquor application as a matter of course so it can “impose conditions.”

“Certainly, the concern of liquor being served on the premises is something many residents share,” said Bailao following the meeting. “A lot of people say they enjoy the establishment, but once you have a liquor licence granted you don’t know what’s happening next.”

But Bailao stopped short of condemning the application, saying she hoped both sides can achieve a compromise with the city’s help.

“I think our first attempt should be bringing people together,” she said.

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While Ikos was admiring of Sztabinski’s success establishing Fix, he is adamant selling alcohol, even with heavy restrictions will have long-term consequences for the neighbourhood.

“It’s small steps, but if they get the licence now, there’s nothing to stop him or someone else from opening a (full-fledged) bar.”

Rahul Gupta covers community news in Bloor West and Parkdale, focusing on relevant local issues like housing, transportation and infrastructure. Email: rgupta@toronto.com