For the first time a restowrator says that his dream of opening a sports bar in Kensington Market may turn into a nightmare, if Ontario’s liquor and gaming commission denied him a liquor license based on groups of residents.
Karan Sarvaiya tells Citynues that he is working in some top restaurants in Toronto, learning all that he can establish himself for a day’s purpose.
His relationship and intimacy for Kensington Market began when as a Canadian newcomer, he began selling Indian street snacks in a generous neighborhood.
“Six years ago, when I used to hustle a side here, I used to sell Pani Puri from a stall, and I always had a dream that I wanted to build something of my own in Kensington Market. I saw that there is a very beautiful and different culture in the field. He came from here to enjoy food, food and music from here.”
Sarvaya leased space at 204 Augusta Avenue last year, which was once in the possession of the hot box cafe, to establish Kensington Social.
“I have invested in my entire life savings … and I borrowed money from my friends and family to start this place,” they say.
In less than two weeks of opening, an alcohol license remains elusive as the Agco confirms the Citinues that he received two objections against the restaurant, “with an objection with the names of 97 members of the residents’ association’s association.”
Residents Association that has increased concerns is Community Advocacy Group Friends of Kensington Market (Fokm). Co-Speaker Serena Pardi says one of the concerns is “the widespread changing composition of the neighborhood”.
“There is a significant saturation of already licensed establishments in the area. Another alcohol-licenses begin-especially with an external licensed courtyard raise serious concerns about the changing character of the market, crowd and the changing character of the market,” reads the Folkam objection presented to the AGCO.
Kensington Social will actually include a line of many other licensed establishments on Augusta Avenue. It has been said to clarify why one and one will be too much, Pardi says that concerns are not just about this single establishment.
“I don’t think this is a problem with another. The problem is another and then another then another is another, and widespread encouragement to change the types of businesses, which people need to create a healthy life in a city – fresh food grosers, repair shops, things that do not require a licensed installation – they are slowly growing. So it is a growth. It is said that it is called.
She says that when a place receives a liquor license, the fare that the command can do go up rapidly, meaning that other, unlicensed businesses can no longer rent them after going out of licensed business. She says that this has happened with many places in the market, causing many empty stores in the neighborhood.
She says, “There are places in the neighborhood that have existing liquor licenses, which they could be selected.
Servaiya says that he saw some other places in the market, but he did not conform to his needs. He was also unaware of the ongoing concerns about the change in the character and creation of the neighborhood.
“I didn’t know about any issue. I met the boss [of 204 Augusta]I met everyone, but no one informed me about it. I wish I knew all these things first. It would have left a lot of time and I must have gone somewhere else, ”they say.
Closed in a 10 -year lease, Servaiya says that it is too late to change the syllabus. But he is ready to compromise and work with the residents concerned.
“I am willing to close the license after going out of this place … [if we don’t complete 10 years] We can add the condition that once we close this place, I am ready to cancel the license, “They say.” We already sat with them and informed them about all those things. I gave them all the options. I want to be a good citizen in this neighborhood and work with everyone. ,
Another concern cited in the Fokm petition has an impact on the future residents of a supporting housing building, currently in the early stages of construction, which will eventually sit right behind the back courtyard of Kensington Socials.
The petition stated, “A licensed courtyard closely threatens the safety, stability and recovery of these inhabitants, which require a quiet and safe environment. The courtyard noise, drunk mentor, and late night disturbances will directly weaken this necessary housing project,” the petition.
Once constructed, the auxiliary housing building will be managed by Kensington Market Land Trust and St. Claire Housing. He tells Citynues that he did not know that he was being included in the complaint.
Andrea Adams, Executive Director, St. Clair Housing, says, “I was surprised to see it, honestly.
“It said, our understanding is that Kensington has always been a generous and inexpensive neighbor and the project is not going to change it and does not add the complexity of the discussion that the residents of Kensington Bazaar have the future of their neighborhood and what they do and what they do.”
In response to concerns about the impact on “complex health and weak people with complex health and matter use needs” quoted in the petition, Adams says it is not a matter of concern for him.
“To be clear, there is no struggle with recovery or addiction in all tenants. And who do – which is to manage them, and they have to manage that they do not matter where they live in the city. I think what the opinion of future residents is what they will feel that they are like other people.
Asked if he was against the liquor license being given to Kensington Socials, Adams says that they are not taking sides.
Servaiya says that if there are concerns for the good of the residents in the auxiliary housing, it is open to cover the rear courtyard as an agreement.
“We are ready to put a shed here so that people can’t see what is happening,” they say.
In addition to concerns about the neighborhood, Fokm in its complaint listed “Failure to provide public notice”.
Agco tells the citynews that according to the licensing process, “AGCO has facilities Public information processWhich gives residents an opportunity to express concern about liquor sales license application in their community. ,
As part of this process, the applicant must display a notice provided by the AGCO that informs the public about that he has applied for a liquor sales license.
“AGCO received an application for liquor sales license on February 6, 2025, for indoor area in 204 Austa Ave, with a period of public notice from 13 February – 12 March 2025. A second notice period was submitted to an outsider at the same place on 17 May – 13 June 2025.”
Pardi says that Servaiya did not follow the process, and Fokam did not have enough time to gather more signature for his petition. She says that it came under only 100 signatures in 24 hours, “as a result of the fact that we did not know about it for the last second.”
She says, “I personally went and looked around, when I discovered a little about it, and didn’t see anything. So I think it is worried about transparency and honesty,” she says.
Citynews has watched the video provided by Purdy taken on June 6, 2025, and no notice is seen in the area that was filmed.
Servaiya shared a picture with CITYNEWS taken on May 17, 2025, showing the notice posted on the right side of the entry of 204 Augusta Avenue in English and French.
On Friday, the AGCO responded to the Fokm complaint and said that the proposal to review the license application would be sent to the applicant, Kensington Social. They will have the opportunity to appeal to the license appeal tribunal, which may be a long process.
Meanwhile, Servaiya says that he was expecting to open on 1 August.
“If I do not start this place with a liquor license, it will be a very difficult place to run … It will be very difficult to survive in this area because the fare itself is so much. I can’t pay out of the pocket every month,” they say.
“I am all investing in it and now there is no support.”