The tug of war between the city and an illegal cannabis franchise rages on as one of CAFE’s previously shutdown locations has defied a city order and reopened for business.

Giant concrete blocks have been removed from 1321 St. Clair Ave. W., one of four stores operated by CAFE, or Cannabis and Fine Edibles, which had been shut down by city staff as part of their crackdown on illegal cannabis operators.

Entrances to the other three locations are still blocked.

Customers on Friday filed in and out of the west-end location near St. Clair Ave. W. and Lansdowne Ave. A receptionist checked for ID before a customer could be allowed through the back, where purchases were taking place.

“It’s great that they’re back and running,” said a customer who identified herself as Cassy Holmes, after emerging from the shop. She refused to discuss any purchases, but noted customers like herself are glad the store is serving them again.

“I have no idea if this means they’re legal now, but what is important is for me to get what I want, close to where I live.”

None of the employees at the CAFE locations was willing to give details about the removal of the blocks, only pointing to the flow of customers as proof their business is needed — whether the city allows it or not.

At 932 Bloor St. W., another CAFE location, giant black plastic sheeting wraps the cinder blocks, emblazoned with words: OPEN MARKET. A white tent, similar to the one previously installed outside 104 Harbord St., has been installed and is where cannabis sales take place.

“Honestly, we’re just trying to do good here,” said a young man in a black hoodie with a CAFE logo on the chest, who wouldn’t give his identity.

“Ask yourself why 1321 (St. Clair W. location) is open and no cop is making a fuss about it. Why is that?”

In an email, CAFE spokesperson David Shuang said their franchise is part of the Canadian Cannabis Retailer’s Union — a non-profit organization that he said regulates activities of independent cannabis retailers.

“We continue to work with our respective communities to ensure the highest standards of safety and retail access are upheld,” he said. “Regulated retail and independently regulated cannabis retail can now coexist to ensure a familiar experience for all Canadians.”

Shuang referred to an ongoing court proceeding in which a group of cannabis retailers that were deemed ineligible to apply for a licence are asking for a review of the lottery system. The 11 disqualified applicants asked the court to put the province’s licensing process on hold while the issue is being re-examined. Superior Court Justice David Corbett has since paused the licensing process for the province’s latest round of cannabis retail stores, with arguments to be made on Sept. 25.

Meanwhile, city officials say an interim closure order at 1321 St. Clair Ave. W. is still in effect, and the property owner has been charged pursuant to the Cannabis Control Act.

“The City did not remove the blocks,” wrote Elizabeth Glibbery, director of investigation services at municipal licensing and standards, in a short statement to the Star.

“We will not comment on future enforcement endeavours other than stating we are aware CAFE has reopened and are continuing to work with Toronto Police Services on next steps to bring this illegal operator and property owner into compliance.”

Last July, a similar scenario took place when CAFE removed the blocks from one of its locations at 104 Harbord St. A few days later, more than a dozen people were arrested and charged for illegally selling pot outside the closed down locations.

The controversy surrounding CAFE owners was back in the news when, in August, the Harbord St. location was included on the provincial lottery list of 13 operators that were allowed to apply for a licence to open legal cannabis shops.

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John Parker, who owns the Big Convenience store next to the St. Clair Ave. W. CAFE shop, said it was “nice” to have the cannabis store back in operation as it leads to spillover traffic for his store.

He said the place used to attract huge crowds of customers before it was shut down, with some of them “smoking outside and making noise.”

But it’s more manageable now, he said, noting, “It’s not crowded anymore because I think there are other legal stores all over the city now.”