By NAFISAT ALAO As the owner of the newly opened Julienne’s Patisserie, Jessica Lee can’t remember a time when she wasn’t baking. “I have been a pastry chef for as long as I can remember. I grew up baking with my grandma and started baking professionally in high school. Food has been my life… this […]
By NAFISAT ALAO Knick Knack Paddywhack, a local pet shop in the Beach is the third location in the city for the business. The pet store’s main purpose is to provide pet owners with a broad selection of goods for their pets and create a welcoming environment for them. Adam Dunning along with his husband […]
By AHMED DIRIE From crochet to calligraphy and everything in between, the owner of Studio Mooi in the Kingston Road Village, Tanya Todd, has fostered a nurturing environment for artists across a range of ages, disciplines and experiences. Launched this past November and located at 926 Kingston Rd. between Willow and Silver Birch avenues, its […]
By AHMED DIRIE Beacher, entrepreneur, florist and do-it-all owner of Wedlocks, Michelle Slota is welcoming residents to her jazz piano lounge and restaurant ahead of the annual Beaches Jazz Festival in July. Located at 1961 Queen St. E., Wedlocks stands out for its upscale indoor and outdoor aesthetic. The piano lounge restaurant and event space […]
By ERIN HORROCKS-POPE Since last summer, the storefront at 281 Scarborough Rd. in the Kingston Road Village has teased locals to a new, delicious business on the way. But it’s a tease no longer, Real Empanada hosted it’s grand opening on Saturday, Feb. 12. The opening was launched with a ribbon cutting ceremony, attended by […]
By AHMED DIRIE Two women-owned businesses in the Beach were thriving in the months and years before COVID-19 forced them both to shut down in the spring of 2020. A combination of passion, determination, resourcefulness, as well as some timely community support and government intervention, has helped keep them operating since then. Julie Watson and […]
By SIENNA PARK In the midst of the 2020 COVID-19 lockdown, garden centres were among the only shops open. Gardening is one of the few industries that have thrived amidst the economic turmoil caused by the global pandemic. In 2020, many people (myself included) around the world started gardening. It provided a much-needed mental health […]
By AMANDA DA SILVA After operating 65 pop-up locations at various farmer’s markets throughout the city, bare market has opened up in Toronto’s east end. The new package-free, one-stop shop recently opened its doors at 1480 Danforth Ave., just west of Coxwell Avenue. “We noticed that there already were a lot of refill assets available […]
By ALANA RAYMAN Looking for something different for lunch? There’s a new sandwich shop to check out in the Kingston Road and Victoria Park Avenue area. Alen Zukanovic and his wife Sanja recently opened Somun Superstar, a cafe and sandwich shop that brings a traditional Bosnian favourite to Toronto. “Somun is the superstar of the bread […]
By AMANDA DA SILVA Shah Ruby sits at her desk at home in the Beach, crafting intricate jewelry purposefully. Each string, material and charm serves a purpose as she methodically crafts necklaces, earrings and bracelets. One day when Ruby was 15, she saw a lady creating a vibrant turquoise and coral bracelet and being immediately […]
