The West Queen West location of Sam James Coffee Bar has been open and serving crowds across from Trinity Bellwoods Park for roughly five years now, but the eponymous owner recently announced that it will sadly be closing its doors on Dec. 24. 

In an Instagram post published on Dec. 4, owner Sam James said the 917 Queen St. West location will be shuttering on Christmas Eve, and he thanked the community for "some of the best years together."

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by SJCB (@samjamescoffeebar)

James later told blogTO that he's closing the coffee shop because of typical COVID-19-related reasons: increasing costs and decreasing sales. 

He said he first opened the Queen location five years ago when he was pushed out of his original Ossington location on short notice, and it's been a dream ever since. 

He now has three locations open on Ossington, Harbord and Brock, and two others in the Financial District that currently remain closed due to the pandemic.

"I'm just happy we were able to even have a location across from the park at all," said James. "I never imagined my business would be at a point where we would be in prime real estate and mean so much to so many people."

The shop, known for quality coffee and delicious baked goods, will undoubtedly be greatly missed by the community. 

"I'm really thankful for the community of customers that supports my vision of the business," he said, "and appreciates the small things that add up a great thing."