What to know
- The Brick Room was broken into around 3:25 a.m. Saturday, with cash stolen, but no injuries reported.
- Owner Komlapreet Singh says community support and humour helped the business bounce back.
- Police are investigating but have not identified any suspects as of publication.
A local neighbourhood is embodying community spirit and supporting local following a break-in at The Brick Room café.
Toronto Police say they received a call about a break-and-enter at the café around 3:25 a.m. on Saturday morning, and while cash was stolen, no injuries were reported. Following the incident, the café’s owner tells Now Toronto that instead of being forced to shutter for the day, customers were lining up for coffee by 7 a.m., leaving the Bay Street café buzzing with resilient energy.
“Honestly, the first thing you think about isn’t the crime, it’s logistics, glass boarding, whether we can open on time,” Komlapreet Singh, owner of The Brick Room, said in an interview.
Despite the devastating aftermath, both of his café locations opened on time the next morning.
“Our regulars were lined up at 7 a.m. like nothing happened [and] bought coffee while we cleaned up,” he said. “We’ve been on Bay St. long enough to know that’s what actually holds a neighbourhood together.”
How the business uses humour to cope with the break-in, and the community support
Despite losing cash and incurring significant damage recovery costs, The Brick Room decided to break the bad news with a touch of humour.
“COFFEE TASTES SO FIRE, someone couldn’t wait till we open and tried to break in overnight to get some,” the caption reads in part.
“UPDATE: lost all the cash and the actual till, matcha and coffee [are] safe,” the caption continues.
The community immediately offered sympathy, suggestions, and laughter.
“Man, we are sorry to hear that such a thing happened to you guys. It is frustrating to see thieves always steal from hard-working people,” one Instagram user wrote.
“Sorry to hear that, you’re my fav coffee spot, I’m sure you bounce back in no time,” another user commented.
“Drinks so good, they can’t wait for opening hours,” another user joked.
“The caption is iconic, but this is heartbreaking,” one user said.
The police told Now Toronto that they do not have information on suspects at the time of publication.
