Scaffolding in front of building, dumpster causing concern for Queen Street East business owners
By JOSHUA McGINNIS
Summertime on Queen Street East in the Beach typically sees an increase in foot traffic and a higher volume of customers for local businesses. However, recent work on a condominium building is causing concern for some of those business owners.
Located between Hammersmith and Wineva avenues along Queen Street East, the condominium is undergoing ongoing maintenance work and repairs, which, according to Maple Ridge Community Management, can only be done in warmer weather.
A scaffolding structure has been installed along this stretch of Queen Street East, extending from the top floor of a condominium building down to the storefronts of the businesses below.
Along with the heavy scaffolding, a large dumpster connected to a chute from the top of the building could be found earlier this month in front of Castro’s Lounge, a local bar and live music venue.
According to one of Castro’s owners, this has caused direct issues for their CaféTO patio and possibly harmed the business.
“For a small, independent bar like Castro’s, summer is not just important— it is everything. Our summer earnings allow us to survive the winter. Without strong summer revenue, we will not make it. A business that has supported local artists, musicians, staff and neighbours for three decades will close its doors not because of bad business or lack of community support, but because it was smothered by scaffolding and a garbage bin,” wrote co-owner Anthony Greene in an email sent to Toronto media outlets, including Beach Metro Community News.
In the email, which was also addressed to Maple Ridge Community Management, Greene requested immediate changes be made to address the situation including that the dumpster be relocated, a commitment be made to consult with impacted businesses moving forward, and a dialogue begin between the condominium board, landlords and business owners to develop solutions together.
Co-owner Stephen Reid of Castro’s Lounge followed up to Greene’s earlier statement, noting:
“We are very concerned that this construction project will have a severe impact on our business,” he said. “It is almost certain that fewer people will want to sit on our CaféTO patio when it is adjacent to, and fenced in by, scaffolding. The construction workers did leave two gaps to access the patio from the sidewalk but that doesn’t eliminate the issue of people probably choosing not to sit on a patio adjacent to a construction site. Furthermore, the scaffolding blocks the late afternoon sun, casting shadow over the patio for an hour or two when there would be sunshine.”
Reid also mentioned that the current scaffolding situation has ruined the feel and setting of Castro’s Lounge.
“We have a seating area in our window (which rolls up) that is extremely popular in the summer. Now the view/ambience in that place is completely ruined for the duration of the project.”
In an email statement to Beach Metro Community News, Maple Ridge Community Management said it has had discussions with the businesses at street level along Queen Street East regarding the work being done on the building.
“The Condominium is currently undertaking critical maintenance work, which includes masonry repairs to the face of the building located above the retail space, that must be completed in milder temperatures. The Condominium has had several discussions with the owner of the retail space regarding the timing of this work. As of June 4, 2025, a dumpster has been temporarily placed in front of one of the retail establishments. It is currently estimated that this dumpster will need to remain in place for approximately two weeks,” said the statement.
By late last week, the dumpster was no longer on Queen Street East. It is not known how long the scaffolding will remain.
