Church Street: A queer café opens to help preserve the Village's community

The Understory, a queer, trans-run café and wine bar opened by Dani Gaede and Rowan Jetté Knox at Church and Wellesley on Jan. 30, aiming to serve as a quieter community space amid rising rents and changing retail on Church Street.

The Understory opened on Jan. 30 at Church and Wellesley and is run by Dani Gaede and Rowan Jetté Knox. The pair say they want the café to be a quieter community space where neighbours, commuters and Church Street regulars can gather. They opened in a neighbourhood that many say has been reshaped by new condos, higher retail rents and the arrival of national chains. The café combines a coffee and wine offering with a calm interior, and the founders funded it with personal savings and a small business loan approval. Key details: - The Understory is described by its founders as a queer, trans-run café and wine bar that opened at Church and Wellesley on Jan. 30. - Founders Dani Gaede and Rowan Jetté Knox say the space is intended as a quieter “third space” with colourful walls, wood finishes and a tree feature on the ceiling. - The founders used significant personal savings and received approval for a small business loan program partly backed by the federal government. - Longstanding Church and Wellesley venues such as Woody's, Pegasus and Hair of the Dog still operate, while others have closed or moved amid rising rents; Glad Day Bookshop relocated temporarily because of costs. - Dean Lobo of the 519 said high rents, limited rent control and new condo development have pressured local businesses and affected the neighbourhood's social and cultural fabric. Summary: The Understory adds a new community-focused venue on Church Street and the founders say it is meant to offer a calmer place for people to meet, create and connect. Its opening comes amid broader concerns about rising retail costs and changes to the Village's mix of businesses. Undetermined at this time.