What to know
- A GoFundMe has been launched by two Annex community members after Ave Maria Latin Cafe co-owner Aland Portillo died, aiming to raise funds so his wife María can take time to grieve.
- María reopened the cafe just one day after her husband’s death due to mounting costs like rent, wages, and daily business expenses.
- The long-standing Bloor Street W. spot is beloved in the community, with customers sharing tributes and helping push the fundraiser close to its $7,500 goal.
One day after losing her husband, the co-owner of Ave Maria Latin Cafe was back behind the counter — because she couldn’t afford not to be. Now, with funeral costs, staff wages, and rent piling up, two Toronto community members have launched a GoFundMe to give her the time and space to grieve.
On April 11, Aland Portillo, co-owner of Ave Maria Latin Cafe alongside his wife María, died.
The family-run business, located at 613 Bloor St W., is known for authentic Colombian food and Latin American groceries and was established by both of them over a decade ago.
The store’s known for delicious empanadas and sandwiches, and it has a welcoming vibe, with a sign teaching basic Spanish words from “spring” to “nice to meet you.”
@dinkbalshin Last Sunday a beloved member of the Annex community, Aland Portillo, unfortunately passed away. For over a decade alongside his wife María , the pair have ran Ave Maria Latin Cafe on Bloor. On Monday, a day after losing her husband, María was forced to reopen her restaurant. With Alands recent and tragic passing, María is doing everything she can, from dealing with funeral costs to staff wages, rent, and daily café expenses continue to accumulate. It breaks my heart to see that immediately after losing her husband, María has been forced to reopen her restaurant. This fundraiser is to help temporarily relieve the financial burden and stress on María, so she can have time and space to focus on herself instead of Ave Maria Latin Cafe. Thank you for honouring Aland and helping support his wife María José during this incredibly difficult moment. Love, Jacob If you cannot donate I will be doing an Eat and Greet on Tuesday, April 14th at Ave Maria Latin Cafe from 3-5PM. Come eat with me! #toronto #torontofood #torontofoodie #torontoeats #torontotiktok ♬ original sound – dink
After a decade working alongside her business partner and husband, his death was not a soft blow for her or the community.
“He was the kindest, how heartbreaking! This spot was my daily go-to for lunch during high school, their empanadas are amazing and he + Maria would always treat us with such friendliness & warmth. Sending lots of love to their family,” one TikTok user recalled.
Another user wrote, “I used to live down the block. HE WAS THE SWEETEST.” “Aww. Love to see this support,” another commented.
Despite wanting time to grieve, Toronto’s high business costs are preventing her from doing so. From staff wages to rent and daily café expenses, Ave Maria Latin Cafe was forced to reopen the next day.
Two members of Toronto’s Annex community, Jacob Balshin and Fernanda Negrete, have organized a fundraiser to help temporarily ease María’s financial burden and stress.
The GoFundMe stands at just over $6,500 of the $7,500 goal at the time of publication.
