Anyone who loves coffee knows about the Sam James Coffee shoppe on Harbord Street. The little Japanese cubicle that Joe Pantalone dismissed when it first opened is thriving. The line up out its door some mornings is a testament to a bustling business.
But, as anyone who rides a bike along the busy Harbord strip knows, there are usually a couple of cars waiting while the drivers quickly dart into to get take out. This creates a dangerous situation for cyclists.
Emma, super star barista who works most mornings decided to take it on herself to educate drivers who insisted on parking in front of the store. One morning while I was enjoying a cup of joe, a car pulled up and as usual the driver stopped while the passenger went in for coffee.
Emma informed the woman that parking in the bike lane was dangerous for cyclists and that they could even receive a $450.00 fine if the police rolled by. The customer was concerned and thanked her for the information.
A week later the driver of the same car went into the coffee shop and complained directly to Sam how horrible Emma was during that situation. She informed Sam that Emma had been rude and probably, though I am not sure, thought it best that she be dismissed for her behaviour.
Needless to say Sam knew what had to be done and the complaint was ignored. But poor Emma was beside herself and worried all night what it would be like when the customer came in for their regular coffee. This morning the driver and passenger drove up, saw that Emma was working they sped off.
Guess they are going to get their coffee at the McDonald's drive thru at Dundas and Bathurst and hopefully won’t be blocking the bike lane on Harbord any time soon. If you happen to be in the area, or riding by, or stopping in at Sam James for an excellent cup of coffee, maybe you can take the time out to thank Emma, if she is working, or thank Sam for hiring such an excellent barista who cares about the safety of her customers.
Comments
kevcomm (not verified)
Thanks for writing about this
Wed, 04/28/2010 - 14:38Thanks for writing about this Derek. Good to know someone is looking after the bike lanes. A good idea would be to put in a tip to parking enforcement to look after the area.
anonymous (not verified)
Why notify parking?
Wed, 04/28/2010 - 14:48They would just park in the bike lane waiting for someone else to stop in it.
anonymous (not verified)
This is...
Wed, 04/28/2010 - 16:03... my new favourite coffee shop by the way. The only thing that could make it better would be a policy to not serve people who park in the bike lane.
dances_with_traffic (not verified)
I like it
Wed, 04/28/2010 - 19:14Customer sounds like they deserve burnt coffee with cream and sugar. If they're in such a rush as to park in the bike lane and they're soo busy it's funny to see that they find time to complain about being asked to move their car. Besides, such an important person should have their gopher pick up the coffee. In fact i bet they'll have to send another person now because they are embarrassed about over-reacting.
Phil (not verified)
Hey Lady
Wed, 04/28/2010 - 19:53"Hey Lady, you want something to bitch about? Park in that bike lane while I'm biking through it and you will pay more than $450 to fix your ugly ride. Then I'll give you some pure attitude when you come out, you whiney bitch. You will second guess getting a coffee outside of a drive-thru from that point forward."
Tom Flaherty
The Grateful Blend
Wed, 04/28/2010 - 23:10$450 would buy a lot of Coffee. A sincere thank you would have been a nice way of recognizing Emma's efforts. Here's hoping that McDonald's Coffee ends up on the driver's crotch.
Is the fine realy $450? I thought it was $60?
Kam (not verified)
Good for Emma!
Thu, 04/29/2010 - 07:43It's this kind of little sticking-your-neck-out that builds a better city and a better country. Sounds overwrought but I'm serious.
Definitely going to stop by this place next week, even though I've never been before.
Antony (not verified)
Stopped at Sam James this
Thu, 04/29/2010 - 08:59Stopped at Sam James this morning... oh man what a good espresso. Precise technique and award-winning taste. He pulls shots with open filter baskets and a stopwatch!
Also an award-winning attitude towards commuting courtesy and safety. He's commissioned a 'don't park in the bike lane please' sign too... nomination for Bicycle-Friendly Business, anyone?
andrew d (not verified)
new hero alert.
Thu, 04/29/2010 - 10:42new hero alert.
dash (not verified)
I was actually listening to
Thu, 04/29/2010 - 13:45I was actually listening to that story direct from Emma this morning. Apparently it was indeed heartily encouraged that she be fired.
I'm glad they're getting on top of these drivers. It's a real pain in the butt merging at that area to get around them.
tino
My Hero!
Thu, 04/29/2010 - 14:54Emma, I think we love you!
vic
I'll have to stop in for a coffee
Thu, 04/29/2010 - 15:17As I cycled past the coffee shop at the north-east corner of Annette and Jane this morning, there were two SUVs parked in the bike lane (Yes, there were open parking spaces nearby). I wonder how supportive the owners of that coffee shop are of the Annette bike lanes. Actually, Annette was in the worst state I've seen it in for a long time. At least 10 motor vehicles parked in the bike lanes this morning as I rode end-to-end. Typically I encounter 0-2, though it was worse when the cops still parked at Runnymede all the time :)
Made me think happy thoughts of this place on Harbord...
I'll definitely have to make a point of stopping in at Sam James sometime...and leaving a good tip too.
Thanks, Emma.
-Vic
hamish (not verified)
Annette ok to be degraded
Sat, 05/01/2010 - 16:12Hi Vic - hope you're recovered from that closer call.
PWIC Ok'ed the degrading of the bike lane near Runnymede I think. Defenders of bike lanes are needed at CIty Wall too....
robb (not verified)
I am going to go there
Thu, 04/29/2010 - 15:38I've never been to this place, but I bike by it all the time and the cars parked out front are a serious pain in the ass. I am going to make a point of going here in the future - I am so impressed by this business' attitude towards cyclists. Yay Emma!!
Wayne Scott (not verified)
I don't drink coffee but I'll be dropping by to buy something.
Thu, 04/29/2010 - 18:32Far from jeopardizing her job, Emma deserves a raise!!!
chephy (not verified)
I'm always looking for good
Sun, 05/02/2010 - 12:42I'm always looking for good coffee shops to check out. Sam James just jumped the queue and is topping the list for the new places to drop by. If I happen to see Emma, she can expect a very generous tip and a big thank you.
westsidecyclist (not verified)
every morning
Mon, 05/03/2010 - 15:40thank you for writing this. at least 3 of the 5 mornings per week I trek down Harbord I meet a car parked in the bike lane in from of Sr Jams. I have avoided the shop for this reason but now won't hesitate to stop on my way to work.
Mr. Yellow Hat (not verified)
best of both worlds
Mon, 05/03/2010 - 22:22I stopped in on Sunday to check this place out, and was very pleased. It's not as tiny as this article seems to imply - just small. It must have been Emma's day off, but the guys running the place were super friendly and the guy who made my espresso took tremendous care with it. He's good as his job - it was certainly among the best espressos I've had in Toronto.
All that, plus a bike-friendly attitude? Fantastic.
amy leigh (not verified)
EMMA RULES!
Tue, 05/04/2010 - 13:39EMMA RULES!
locutas_of_spragge
I visited today...
Tue, 05/04/2010 - 21:49good food, good coffee, great people. Only problem: the three bike rings outside already had two bikes each, and I couldn't find a place to park. :-)
Cheers for all the great independent places to eat and drink in this city. Triple cheers for the ones who uphold the bike lanes.
BTW, Vic, the former cafe on the corner of Anette and Runnymede now serves organic pizza. And I don't know how militant an attitude they take, but I believe the owner does support the Annette bike lanes.