The Anarchist Cafeteria, which opened its doors in March 2022 in Toronto, Canada, was primarily intended to be an anti-capitalist and anti-colonial communal space. Unfortunately, however, this revolutionary idea died out in less than a year due to financial difficulties. The owners were forced to close the premises, as their motto was “pay what you can”.
Barely a year after opening, Anarchist had to close due to its inability to take off. Gabrielle Sims-Feuer, the owner, announced that the business was closed due to difficulties in sustaining it, something that did not surprise the local community, as many people had made little financial contribution.
Initially, Anarchist made a good impression on the local community and provided an experience for those looking for a venue with anti-capitalist values. However, this success did not last long. Gabriel, the owner, expressed his gratitude for the experience and revealed that he plans to use it in future projects. Although saddened by the closure, he was pleased that it ran for at least a year and managed to spark much-needed debate and challenge conservatives.
The central concept of the cafeteria was to offer drinks at reasonable prices to those who did not have sufficient economic resources. The aim was to hire more employees and ensure equal pay without hierarchies or managers. However, this vision did not work due to the existing capitalist structure in Canada.
Gabriel ended his statement by expressing satisfaction at having fulfilled the dream of many service workers by creating a space free from harassment of the professional class. Although Anarchist itself failed to sustain itself in the long run, it made an impression on the community and would continue to inspire future projects.
