Josh Matlow, a midtown Toronto city councillor, is calling out restaurant Aroma for its patio use and allegedly attempting to prevent the public from using the space.

Recently, Matlow highlighted the importance of this area in a statement that invites residents and visitors alike to reclaim their right to this shared space. Matlow’s message, particularly regarding the tables set up by Aroma Espresso Bar, reinforces the notion that this space is for everyone’s enjoyment, regardless of whether or not you purchase a coffee.

Aroma’s tables are part of the larger public area at the northeast corner of Yonge & Eglinton, which is designated as a POPS — a privately owned public space. This means that while the space is privately owned, it’s subject to a by-law that mandates public access and use. Such spaces are crucial in densely populated urban areas like Toronto, where green spaces and seating can sometimes feel scarce amidst skyscrapers and busy sidewalks.

If you find yourself at Yonge & Eglinton and are looking for a place to sit and enjoy the world around you, feel very welcome to ignore this sign on the table. In fact, it’s your right to…. pic.twitter.com/iqMSlrhOY3

— Josh Matlow (@JoshMatlow) August 13, 2024

Matlow’s encouragement to “ignore this sign on the table” if it implies restrictions on who can sit there, reflects a broader push to ensure these spaces remain inclusive and accessible. It’s not that Aroma has to close its patio, Matlow seems to be implying that they simply cannot restrict general public use.

But, as one commenter on social media pointed out, if the general public takes up all the space and just sits there, it is detrimental to a business that people appreciate, and those wishing to patronise the establishment would be out of luck.

According to prior news reports, Aroma has had a patio on the space at Yonge Eglinton Centre almost since the site was redeveloped and opened almost a decade ago, and there is no indication of an ongoing issue. But a condition of that redevelopment, which included enclosing some outdoor space to add to the mall, is that the remainder is accessible to the public via the POPS.

Riocan, the building owners, did not respond to a request for comment. Aroma also failed to respond. But, should either decide to comment, we will update this story.