Save Pam's Roti Shop
Toronto's beloved Pam's Roti Shop has just announced that they are at risk of being evicted!
Pam has lovingly made her delicious homemade rotis in Toronto for 40 years!! And now she might have to close up shop because her landlord refuses to apply for the government subsidy that could keep her restaurant afloat.
Canada Emergency Commercial Rent Assistance (CECRA) provides relief for small businesses experiencing financial hardship due to COVID-19, covering 75% of their rent. Although a great initiative, it's up to the landlords and many of them have flat out refused to even apply.
I spoke with Pam on Monday and she said she's not ready to stop cooking for the community!
Here's an excerpt from Pam's letter to her loyal customers on May 31st:
"(the landlord) is threatening closing me down because I asked him to apply for the Rent subsidy for June’s rent.
His excuse 'too much work to apply'...though he owns a accounting firm.
Instead he threatens to close my business. Pam’s Roti. And denying me my passion and love feeding my customers."
Pam LOVES to cook for us as much as we love eating her delicious Caribbean comfort food. And just as important, she's a delightful fixture in our neighborhood!
Sometimes we'd stop in just to say hi even if we weren't hungry! Pam always greets you with a big smile.
Let's join together to show Pam what 40 years of love can do!!
In the meantime, Pam's is still open for take-out, so pay her a visit!
1087 Bloor St West, Toronto, ON M6H 3J1
- Team Lunch Special
Here's a link to the full letter from Pam to her customers:
https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=3246955438658637&id=542840972403444
On May 26, Pam's Roti donated one hundred rotis to our front line workers at 3 hospitals!!
https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=3234734633214051&id=542840972403444
Here's a story that NOW Magazine wrote about Pam on June 1st
https://nowtoronto.com/food-and-drink/food/pams-roti-coronavirus/ 
photos by Jesse Milns