Eye on Business

Scarboro Music is celebrating 40 years in the Beach! With  the slogan, ‘We’re here for you!’, the store has been a fixture on the corner of Kingston and Victoria Park since 1972 and is still going strong, providing Beach musicians with everything they need or want.
Owner and founder Frank Natale has been called a born entrepreneur. From paper routes as a boy, he went on to obtain a degree in Retail/Marketing at Ryerson University. Combining that with his boyhood love of music, Natale opened Scarboro Music in 1972, three doors from where it stands now at 1051 Kingston Rd. Over the last 40 years, Natale has surrounded himself with passionate sales people, talented instructors and dedicated clients, who have created a tightly-knit musical community in the Beach.
There are lots of ‘big-box’ music stores in Toronto, over the border in the U.S. and online, but  they aren’t going to offer the attention to detail, or the lifetime service policy on all guitars sold, that Scarboro Music does. The last 40 years have been good to Natale and Scarboro Music. He’s looking forward to the next 40.
Drop in and say ‘happy birthday’ next time you’re down that way, or give Frank a call at 416-699-8333.
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As parents of a young boy who was not fond of reading, we were frustrated with the ‘Whole Language’ approach used by his school at the time for teaching students to read and write. To help our son, we bought several phonics books and spent many hours over the summer holidays working through them with him. It was rewarding for us to see that light go on in him when he ‘got it’. Donna Nixon has experienced the same frustrations, and gone a step further.
Arcus Academics is a phonetic-based company that focuses on younger children two and a half to six years of age with a system to help children easily understand how to print, read and write.
“While whole language certainly has its place in our children’s development, it lacks the thoroughness found in the study of phonics,” Nixon says. “To acquire excellence in the English language a solid understanding of how sounds work to build words is essential.”
Arcus Academics uses a unique curriculum based on the colours of the rainbow to help young readers with new words. Nixon is opening a centre in the Beach in January 2013. If you would like to find out more about the program, or register, call Donna Nixon at 416-440-0008, or email her at dnixon@arcusacademics.com.
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Lisa Balslov of Trendsetters Salon called to say that she is looking for people interested in being trained as skin care technicians, and/or entry-level hairstylists. Lisa runs classes to train people for a company called Forever Young that sends hairstylists and skin care technicians into retirement homes. There is funding available through Ontario Works, Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP) and Springboard. For more information call Lisa at 416-690-2454.
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Pegasus Studios is offering the latest in programs for aspiring young dancers. Angelina Ballerina is a program based on the popular television and book series that will feature the actual voice of the character giving dancers their instructions. With almost 120 participating dance studios across North America, Angelina Ballerina is a 34-week program targeted to dancers three to six years old. Now your young ballerina can be inspired by Angelina to strive to be the best dancer they can be.
For more information call Jane Davis-Munro at Pegasus Studios at  416-469-2799, or visigt angelinaballerina.com.
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David’s Tea, 2010 Queen St. E., is celebrating one year in the Beach. Store manager Melissa Macchione held a special first anniversary party Nov. 12 where people sampled some of the more than 150 types of tea she carries.
David’s Tea is now gearing up for the holiday season with several styles of winter teas – chocolate chili  chai, alpine punch, coconut mint cream – as well as mugs and tea pots. For more information call David’s Tea at 416-698-6036, or visit davidstea.com.
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The Dog Market at 2116 Queen St. E. recently celebrated its one-year anniversary. This busy store caters to both dogs and cats, offering toys, food, grooming equipment, beds, litter boxes and clothing. Staff are available for cat and dog grooming, as well as obedience training.
You may want to visit the store’s FaceBook page for a chance to win weekly prizes as part of the Give Away Mondays, at facebook.com/thebeachdogmarket.
For more information call The Dog Market at 416-699-1313, or visit thedogmarket.ca.
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Just this past weekend Tails Pet Store, 2211 Queen St. E., celebrated five years in the Beach with a unique twist on the typical prize draw. Owner Diane Schickerowsky thought it might be nice if not only the winners of a draw get the prizes, but their friends – or even a charity – could get one as well.
“We wanted our five-year anniversary celebrations to involve more than just our customers. We had five draw prizes that customers earned tickets to in the month of November. In each case, the prize was for the customer, and also good for four of their friends,” said Schickerowsky.
Prizes included pet grooming, a Betta fish kit, dog and cat or hamster food and toys. Winners also had the choice to donate their prizes to a local charitable organization. For more information call Tails Pet Store at 647-436-2529, or visit tailsonline.com.
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Christina Robson, owner and founder of Hair By Nature is moving her salon back to the Beach. For a number of years Hair By Nature was a popular salon on Queen Street. Then Robson moved the business to the west Danforth, and opened a ‘sister’ shop in Ancaster. Recently she sold that one and rented a building at 1551 Kingston Rd., just east of Warden.
Joining Robson is senior stylist Voula; between them they have more than 25 years experience in styling, cutting and colouring. To book an appointment, call Christina at 416-465-7689.
Robson also wanted to let our readers know that Deb, of Deb’s Rainbow, will also have a chair in the new salon. You can reach her at 416-690-HAIR (4247).
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Giving Arcade is a new fundraising/ gaming app developed by two Beachers, for free download from the Apple Store or Android Market. It is the brainchild of Tracy and Tikka Smiley.
When Tikka’s father was diagnosed with lymphoma a couple of years ago, Tracy, looking for a way to help, got thinking about a philanthropic app where people could contribute towards causes. When he hit on the idea of combining it with games, Giving Arcade was born.
“We try to give people a bit of fun, do some good, and educate people on varying charities,” Tikka said. Players go onto the site, and buy tokens – a maximum of one dollar’s worth a week – to play the games. As they play, players win points with which they vote for charities Giving Arcade is supporting. At the end of the round – each round lasts one week – the votes are tabulated and charities get funds accordingly.
For more information, and to see a promotional video of Gaming Arcade, visit givingarcade.com.
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Artisans At Work is a new 2,700 sq. ft. retail gallery store at 2071 Danforth Ave. at Woodbine, which offers eight turn-key micro business spaces for rent to artists, jewelers, health and community businesses. Each space is in the 100 to 200 sq. ft. range, and is brightly lit with high ceilings and a sink area.
Long and short leases are available, and sharing spaces is welcome. Those interested will be provided with access to group shows, open houses, staff, marketing advice and networking seminars to help get their business up and running.
For more information email Artisans At Work at torontotara@yahoo.com.

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