A Toronto cafe owner who famously fought for and won the right to sell coffee on a residential street has announced the closure of her two businesses, citing a substantial rent increase at one location as the final catalyst. Yana Miriev, owner of Martin Espresso Bar and Finch Store, is relocating her operations to Squamish, British Columbia, after facing mounting financial pressures.
A Battle for Coffee on a Residential Street
Miriev and her husband opened Martin Espresso Bar on Bloor Street West in the Junction neighborhood and Finch Store on Dewson Street, near College and Ossington, in the spring of 2022. Finch Store, situated in a residential area, became the focal point of a zoning dispute with the City of Toronto regarding its permission to serve espresso drinks.
The struggle for operational permits culminated earlier this year when Miriev received official confirmation that she could continue operating Finch Store as a cafe. This victory followed a city council vote in 2025 that expanded permissions for corner stores and cafes on specific residential portions of major streets and designated “community streets” within Old Toronto and East York. Miriev had emphasized that the ability to sell coffee was crucial for the business’s survival.
Rent Increase Becomes the “Last Trigger”
Despite securing the necessary permissions, the future of the Toronto cafes proved unsustainable. At the end of August, after four and a half years in operation, Miriev and her husband closed both establishments. The primary reason cited for the closure was a significant rent increase at the Martin Espresso Bar location in the Junction, where the landlord reportedly doubled the rent.
Miriev explained that the financial strain had been building for some time. “Finch was existing thanks to the work of (Martin Espresso Bar),” she stated, indicating that profits from the Bloor Street location were subsidizing the Dewson Street cafe. “It wasn’t sustainable for a long time.”
The rent hike at Martin Espresso Bar proved to be the decisive factor. “At this price, we can’t afford even the only employee we have at the moment,” Miriev said, referring to the full-time barista at Martin Espresso Bar, while she and her husband managed the businesses. The landlord for the Junction coffee shop declined to comment when reached.
Challenges Beyond Zoning
Even with the zoning victory, Finch Store faced its own set of challenges. Miriev noted that low foot traffic on the residential street, coupled with competition from a new No Frills supermarket on College Street, made it difficult to maintain profitability. “Even having the licence and selling the coffee, it still wasn’t sufficient to maintain the business in a positive balance,” she admitted. “We were just kind of dragging.”
Miriev had explored various options, including selling the businesses, but found no interested buyers. She had also been contemplating a move to Squamish, British Columbia, to be closer to her daughter and to leverage the area’s tourism potential for business growth.
A New Beginning in British Columbia
The escalating rent at Martin Espresso Bar solidified the decision to leave Toronto. Miriev and her husband had recently sold their Toronto home with plans to downsize. The unexpected rent increase prompted a swift decision: they would use the proceeds from their home sale to purchase a commercial property in Squamish and relocate Martin Espresso Bar there.
“No one will raise my rent for me,” Miriev said, referring to the security of owning property. “It will be a secure mortgage payment.” The couple plans to rent accommodation in Squamish rather than buying a new home immediately. Miriev expressed a sense of anticipation for the change, stating, “I’m a little bit excited too, for the change. I still hope it’s gonna be for the better.”
Leaving Finch Store Behind
Regarding Finch Store, which still had seven months remaining on its lease, Miriev reached an agreement with the landlord. She exchanged her equipment and business ownership for an early release from the lease obligations.
Dan Seljak, who had previously championed Finch Store’s cause on social media and advocated for Miriev during her zoning dispute, expressed disappointment but not surprise at the outcome. He highlighted the unregulated nature of commercial rents in Ontario, which, combined with rising labor and food costs, creates a challenging environment for small business owners.
“Commercial rents aren’t regulated in Ontario,” Seljak observed. “I don’t think in the current environment in Toronto, most people are shocked when a landlord of a commercial property doubles the rent and kicks out an otherwise beloved business. I think that is a story we have all heard dozens of times.” The closure of Miriev’s cafes underscores the complex economic factors and regulatory landscapes that impact small businesses in major urban centers.
