Failure to arrive at lease means end of an era for Espresso Legato
Dec 07, 2009 - 04:30 AM
By Jennifer Stone
BOWMANVILLE -- To the outside observer, the closing of popular Bowmanville coffee shop Espresso Legato "seemed very sudden," says owner Mary-Ann Kalotai.
But, it was only after months of attempting to negotiate a new lease that it became clear the doors would have to close.
With only a week left on her lease, and a landlord who she said seemed unwilling to negotiate, Ms. Kalotai closed the thriving business Oct. 24.
'That was the hard part," she said. "I couldn't take the chance of having the door locked (by the landlord) after the 31st" when the lease ran out.
Ms. Kalotai said she spent months attempting to come to terms on a new lease for the property at 50 King St. W., but for reasons she doesn't understand, no agreement could be made.
Attempts to reach the property's owner, Choon Kim, through both his property manager and real estate agent, for comment for this story were unsuccessful.
The business was thriving, and Ms. Kalotai said she was happy to carry it on. Espresso Legato had weathered the worst part of the recession by making changes behind the counter to become more efficient, not laying off a single staff member.
"We got the process down, put efficiencies in place," Ms. Kalotai said.
The changes were made with an eye to ensuring "everything on the other side of the counter changed very little. We were still moving forward and poised to come out of the recession even stronger."
Though Ms. Kalotai had only owned the business five years, Espresso Legato had been open for 15 years, under previous ownership. It had become a landmark in Bowmanville, and attracted a varied crowd.
"Diversity was key to making it work," Ms. Kalotai said. "It had to represent the community."
Ms. Kalotai continues to sell some popular items from the store online, through her website at
www.espressolegato.com. But she said she doesn't know where she'll go from here, or whether the store will have a new physical location in future.
"I don't think I can decide yet," she said.
Whatever the case, what comes next for Ms. Kalotai will have to be the "right thing, at the right place, at the right time.
"The story goes on, but it is going to be different," she said.
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