With the FIFA World Cup now less than a week away, Toronto's Liberty Village neighbourhood is bracing for a massive influx of visitors. City News Toronto's Alessandra Carnero stopped by the area to see how local restaurants are getting ready for the wave of customers expected to descend on the district once the tournament begins, in what businesses anticipate will be one of their busiest stretches in years.
At one restaurant, Noto, the plan is straightforward but ambitious: lots of staff, lots of food, and doing everything possible to accommodate as many people as they can. Staff said the restaurant is ramping up across the board, from produce to alcohol and, of course, the number of people on the floor, in order to be ready for the surge that the games are expected to bring.
That preparation means bringing on at least 25 staff members across all positions, from hosts stationed at the front door to servers, bartenders and kitchen staff. The goal, managers explained, is to greet guests properly and to be able to manage the crowds that will form at the entrance, making sure that the experience holds up even when the restaurant is at its fullest.
In the kitchen, the team is preparing to serve more food than it ever has, with a particular emphasis on making sure everything still comes out in a timely manner during the rush. Noto is no stranger to large events, since it often hosts soccer fans before Toronto FC games, but staff acknowledged that this time around the sheer scale of what is coming is different.
The numbers help explain why. With expanded seating at Toronto Stadium, more than 40,000 people are expected in the area during the six games being played in the city. From Liberty Village, just across the way from the venue, you can already hear the cheering carry over, a constant reminder of just how close the action is going to be to the neighbourhood's restaurants and bars.
According to the Liberty Village BIA, the groundwork has been laid well in advance, with two years of planning devoted to the increased traffic the tournament will generate. On-site activations and giveaways are also planned for game days, part of a broader effort to make the most of the moment and to give arriving fans a reason to linger in the district before and after matches.
Businesses are bracing for heavy traffic at every stage of the day. Operators expect fans to arrive for lunch and pre-game, then return afterward for cocktails to celebrate a win or commiserate over a loss, with watch parties drawing in those who were not able to get tickets. At the family-run Liberty Village Market and Cafe, just steps from the stadium, that has meant long hours and sleepless nights spent dealing with suppliers and inventory to make sure everything is ready in time.