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 […]
By FIONA BRAMZELL There is an intrinsic link between food and love – indeed, food that has been made with love somehow always tastes better. For Monica Kelly, local chef and owner of Miss Mo’s Vegan Kitchen, love is at the core of everything she makes and when it comes to food – in particular, […]
By RUSHANTHI KESUNATHAN Its ten minutes to ten and Nancy Huang wipes her glass doors clean before turning her closed sign to open. Huang is the neighbourhood’s newest designer on the block. My Sewing Studio, named after the owner’s wish to be close to the community and easily accessible in the neighbourhood, opened its doors […]
By SURINA NATH If you’re looking for a local boutique with Canadian crafted products, head to 1936 Queen St. E. to visit the Beach Market. Opened since March of this year, owner Leah Moroz has brought a collection of unique artisan vendors to the area. Moroz has been a local in the Beach for 23 […]
By SURINA NATH East of Eliza a well-known flower shop located at 1960 Gerrard St. E. is owned by Reed Russell—self-taught florist who loves all things natural. She said her “skills and ancestral memory stem from a long line of gardeners and artists.” Russell described her grandmother’s garden “like an Eden for my mother and […]
