Popular east-end brewery pushed out of Toronto due to high price of real estate
If you’ve ever found yourself in Toronto’s Parkview Hills neighbourhood, just north of Woodbine Avenue and O’Connor Drive, you may have stumbled across – or into – Muddy York Brewing Co.
The humble-looking brewery has become a mainstay in that pocket of the city’s east end for the better part of a decade, serving up a wide variety of craft beer to patrons thirsty for a pint and racking up impressive customer reviews along the way.
- Download our app to get local alerts on your device
- Get the latest local updates right to your inbox
Business had become so successful, in fact, that married owners, Susan Michalek and Jeff Manol, planned to expand north of the city, hoping to break into the otherwise untapped market of Stouffville.
But, after their Toronto landlord recently announced his intention to sell the building, the pair realized their expansion plans had been cut short and were now forced to relocate altogether after being unable to find an affordable alternative elsewhere.
“We definitely didn't want to leave. And we definitely wanted to stay and extend our lease there,” Michalek told CTV News Toronto in an interview.
“It’s just a shame because we've spent many years really working on our current location and doing our best to attract people, and it's just become a really lovely community hub, and we're going really miss a lot of our customers and we're going to miss the vibes there.”
A group of Muddy York Brewing Co. glasses is seen in this undated image. (Supplied)
Michalek said she wasn’t surprised by the landlord’s plan to sell and that he even asked the couple if they wanted to buy it. However, Michalek explained, the listed price is just out of their “financial reach.”
“The building is for sale for far more than we would be willing to pay. For what you’re getting, that space is very overpriced,” she said.
According to Realtor.ca, the property at 22 Cranfield Road is priced at $2,745,000.
“What has become of Toronto, and how can we keep interesting and vibrant businesses, and small business owners, going if it’s such a hostile environment for them?” Michalek asked.
Muddy York Brewing Co. co-owner Jeff Manol is seen in this undated image. (Supplied)
NOT AN ISOLATED INCIDENT: CFIB ONTARIO
In an interview with CTV News Toronto, Julie Kwiecinski, the director of provincial affairs for Ontario at the Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB), said Muddy York’s situation may not be unique.
“I wouldn't put this as an isolated incident. I think the problem is bigger than just this one business,” Kwiecinski said, adding that the CFIB is hearing from many businesses struggling with rising costs in Toronto, across the province, and beyond.
According to Kwiecinski, the last time the CFIB surveyed its members, 52 per cent said they were operating at or less than normal revenue levels and 61 per cent said they still carry COVID-19-related debt, averaging over $134,000.
“We measure small business confidence levels every month across the country, and in Ontario, they are the lowest. Right in the basement for short and long-term confidence,” Kwiecinski said.
Operating a craft brewery in Ontario can be especially difficult, according to Kwiecinski, who pointed to a high tax rate on beer and a nine cent per beer can tax as some of the stressors, and called on the province to do more.
Muddy York Brewing Co. taps are seen in this undated image. (Supplied)
“The province can be doing things to lower taxes for all businesses so things like this don't happen and businesses have more money in their pocket,” she said.
Meanwhile, Michalek said she and Manol are still excited by the prospects ahead and don’t want the news of their impending departure to be “a complete bummer.”
“We're still really excited by our brand… we're going to keep our heads down, work on this new space, and we'll keep going.”
Muddy York will continue to occupy the space until the end of February, Michalek said. The date of the Stouffville location’s opening has yet to be determined.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
![](https://www.ctvnews.ca/polopoly_fs/1.6949994.1720031014!/httpImage/image.jpg_gen/derivatives/landscape_800/image.jpg)
'I'm not leaving': Biden meets with top Democrats, rejects calls to abandon campaign
U.S. President Joe Biden vowed to stay in the 2024 presidential race during a call with campaign staff on Wednesday and sought to reassure top Democrats on Capitol Hill that he is fit for reelection despite his shaky debate performance last week.
'Not my finest moment:' Police called to dispute between Ottawa city councillor and daycare owner
Ottawa city councillor Clarke Kelly says he is not apologizing after a Kinburn daycare owner alleged he screamed and swore in front of children during a dispute that saw police called to the scene on Wednesday afternoon.
Is Greece's six-day work week an option in Canada? An expert weighs in
As some Canadian companies explore offering staff a four-day work week, experts are watching Greece's move closely and suggest it could work in Canada.
Irish prime minister 'appalled' by Montrealer's death after alleged assault
Ireland's prime minister says he's "absolutely appalled" by an assault in the country's capital that resulted in the death of a tourist from Montreal.
Ontario man suffers cardiac arrest in Florida. This is why insurance won't cover his $620,000 hospital bill
An Ontario man who wanted to spend time with his family in Florida was hospitalized after suffering a cardiac arrest at the airport as he was about to fly back to Canada.
No tsunami threat after multiple earthquakes recorded off Vancouver Island
Five earthquakes were recorded in quick succession off the British Columbia coast on Wednesday afternoon.
Hudson's Bay Co. to purchase U.S. department store Neiman Marcus: reports
Hudson's Bay Co. has reached a deal to buy luxury department store chain Neiman Marcus, according to media reports.
Trudeau focused on governing, fighting right-wing populism following byelection loss
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has been taking calls from different members of his Liberal caucus following the party's historic byelection loss in a Toronto riding last week, but the prime minister said his focus remains on governing.
Canadian feels 'abandoned' in Mexico after WestJet strike
More than 1,100 WestJet flights and counting have been cancelled since last Thursday, when a strike by the airlines mechanics union grounded travel plans for more than 100,000 customers.