Bar Volo will shut its doors in September after 28 years of business. The reason for the closure is a familiar one, reports beer writer Ben Johnson. A 44-storey condo development is slated to replace the block on which the bar is located. As the development nears realization, Volo's owner has been given six month's notice to vacate the space.

One of Toronto's pioneering craft beer bars, Volo launched one of the city's best beer festivals in the form of Cask Days all the way back in 2005. At the time, there were precious few places that took their beer lists seriously, and the success of Volo's beer program helped pave the way for the robust scene Toronto enjoys today.

According to Johnson's interview with owner Tomas Morana, the search is on for a new location but there's nothing concrete to report at this time. News that the bar will close comes as Yonge St. undergoes massive transformation. You'd think a place like Bar Volo would be very attractive to young condo owners, but it remains to be seen how the street's retail footprint will take shape.

Photo by Jesse Milns