Beloved Toronto restaurant suddenly closes after decades in the neighbourhood
A Toronto restaurant that was a neighbourhood staple for over 30 years has abruptly closed down permanently.
East York may not have the same sheen as more buzzworthy neighbourhoods like Little Italy or Ossington, but that doesn’t mean it’s without its fair share of great restaurants.
You just have to get good at looking beyond the often less-polished covers of non-downtown restaurants.
Since 1992, one such hidden gem has been O’Connor Drive’s Jawny Bakers Restaurant.
A family-run operation through and through, the restaurant was just the sort of casual, neighbourhood institution that all too easily flies under the radar of those living elsewhere in the city.
Sure, the menu was nothing terribly out-of-the-box, lots of steaks, sandwiches, pub staples and cheesy appetizers, but the restaurant itself became a home base of sorts for the neighbourhood nonetheless.
Not only that, but it boasted one of the most breathtaking patios in the area, fully covered and heated with a surprisingly sublime view of the dense wooded area that separates it from the parking lot of a neighbouring Home Depot location.
If you squinted, it almost felt like you had escaped the city entirely. The abnormally friendly service certainly helped in that regard, too.
As of Monday, Sept. 8, however, it’s officially the end of an era for Jawny Bakers, as the restaurant took to its social media accounts to announce its immediate closure.
View this post on Instagram
“It is with heavy hearts that we announce Jawny Bakers has permanently closed its doors,” the post, which can also be found on the restaurant’s website, reads.
“For over 30 years, we’ve had the privilege of being part of your celebrations, your milestones, and your everyday moments. We are forever grateful for your patronage, loyalty, and love throughout the years.”
Upon issuing the statement, Jawny Bakers’ Instagram was flooded with comments from residents expressing emotions ranging from shock and heartbreak to gratitude for the generation of memories the restaurant offered.
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“JB’s wasn’t just a local spot — it was our spot,” writes one user. “A place where we brought our families as we raised them, and later, where our kids brought their friends… or even worked their first jobs.”
“It’s hard to say goodbye to a place that’s been such a special part of our lives,” writes another. “Jawny Bakers wasn’t just about the amazing food, but the memories we created there as a family.”
Jawny Bakers was formerly located at 804 O’Connor Dr.
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