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Too much news for one title

In no particular order, here are a few events and neighbourhood tidbits to peruse:

Holiday Singalong! December 13

Open Minds is holding a Holiday Singalong, and you’re invited. A fun old-fashioned way to meet your neighbours and share in singing together. You can RSVP to ensure a spot, or just show up the night of.
Thursday, December 13, 7:00 – 9:00 p.m at the Sidewalk Cafe, 1344 Danforth (near the Greenwood Subway station).
OPEN MINDS poster xmas singalong

Stadium Grand Opening – December 8

The brand new state-of-the-art stadium in Monarch Park is open for business. To give all of us a chance to peek inside “the bubble”, there is a community GRAND Opening this Saturday, December 8 from 1:00 – 4:00 p.m. Go take a look – this kind of facility in our own backyard is not to be missed! For more information about the stadium, check out the website: http://www.monarchparkstadium.com

Holistic Services and Body Rub Bylaw Review – City of Toronto Survey

The City of Toronto is currently reviewing the bylaw related to holistic centres and body rub parlours (commonly known as ‘massage parlours’). The purpose is to gain greater insight into public opinion on these businesses and their impact on City of Toronto communities. You can provide your feedback in this quick survey: http://www.toronto.ca/licensing under ‘what’s new’

Silly Goose Kids is #1

Congratulations to our friends at Silly Goose Kids, who were voted Toronto’s #1 toy store by the readers of BlogTO! Check out the article here. Don’t forget that Silly Goose Kids has partnered with Woodgreen for their annual toy drive – ask them about the many ways that you can give the next time you are in.
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Pop-Up Guerilla Marketing

Print it!

Your mission, should you choose to accept it.

1.  Use your office photocopier for good, not evil. Make some copies of these two items…the pop-up poster and the flyer.

2. Post these items in your office, at the coffee shop, to your Facebook and Twitter feeds, on light poles, on your neighbour’s front door.  Anywhere where there are people who have eyes. E-mail it to everyone in your address book. It’s not spam if you do it.

3. Feel good about helping to spread the good word and getting as many feet walking along Danforth East as possible.

3. Eat this message.

pop-up flyer

Pop-up Shop Details

Dance it!

Join the pop-up flashmob!  (Oh yes we said it, and we’ll say it again: FLASHMOB!)

Follow these simple steps to get involved:

  1. R.S.V.P. to Jules by clicking here.
  2. Download this video from YouTube to get familiar with the song and the dance moves (you do not have to memorize them… just have some fun with them)
  3. Come to Pegasus Dance Studio, 361 Glebeholme Blvd. at 8:00 pm on Thursday, December 6 for a one-hour rehearsal. Bring your friends, bring your family, bring anyone you think might get a kick out of being in a flashmob.
  4. Rehearse some more at home and encourage friends and family to rehearse with you.
  5. Perform the dance in a flashmob at two different places over the next two weeks (times and locations to be announced), and help encourage people to come out and see what exciting things are happening in the pop-up shops and in the shops around them.
Can’t wait to see you there! (And check out our fancy poster below, just to prove that this is not your average run-of-the-mill flashmob.  This is a flashmob with a poster!)

Flashmob announcement

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DECA Board Meeting & Artisans At Work

DECA Board Meeting 

The next DECA Board meeting will be held this Tuesday, December 4th at 7:30 pm.  We’ll be talking trees, parks, pop-ups and so much more! Please contact Anita if you are interested in attending.

Artisans At Work

If the nine pop-up shops and handful of new stores and businesses are not enough for you, there’s more coming to our piece of the Danforth.  Artisans At Work (2071 Danforth Ave) will be opening for Arts & Craft Shows the next three weekends – December 8-9th, 15-16th and 22-23rd.

The idea for this gift shop featuring locally made arts & crafts as well as self contained studio/micro business space is the brainchild of former DECA board member, Tara Shelton.

Here’s a post from Tara about featured artistis, craft show details and how to inquire about renting space in December and beyond:

Artisans At Work

Artisans At Work is an upcoming 2700 square foot retail gallery store at 2071 Danforth Ave (at Woodbine).  The space also has eight private, turn-key micro business/studio spaces for the arts, jewellery, and community to start-up and operate for affordable, inclusive rates.

The Show

We are holding Christmas Craft Shows on the weekends of December 8/9th, 15/16th, and 22/23rd from 9am to 6pm.  Applications are still welcome.  Craft show prices are  $75 per weekend, $40 per day or $100 for two weekends.

The Artists

Stone Folio: Stone marble Mosaics. Price Range: $40-400.  Attending: Dec 15/16 & 22/23.

Lurearts Pottery:  handmade ceramic dinnerware, jewelry, clocks and hostess gifts.  Price range: $12-100.  Attending:  Dec 8th & 9th

Thunderpeep:  Illustrated designs. Price range: $4- $40. Attending: Dec 8 & 9th.

Tara Shelton: Sculptural jewellery, wood burnt etchings. Price range: $45 to $250. Attending: Dec 8/9th, 15/16th, & 22/23rd.

Bonnie Marder: Quilts, small gifts.

Zuzuki Diaz: jewellery, bags made from recycled items.   Attending: Dec 15th.

Meter by Meter: Vegan bags, and gifts for animal lovers & pets. Price range: $30-135. Attending: December  8/9th &15/16th.  100% of proceeds will go to homeless cats at North Toronto Cat Rescue .

Tweak: One of a kind jewellery. Price range: $18-300. Attending: Dec 15/16 & 22/23.

Pink Ink: Cards, restyled mittens sweaters, barettesPrice range: $4-100. Attending: Saturdays Dec 15 & 22.

ClothesPeg Designs: Handmade Children’s Clothing & Accessories. Price Range: $10-$50. Attending: Dec 15&16.

Adrienne Baker Sieffert: baby bibs, catnip beds, bags, reversible coffee sleeves, pillows, pincushions, tote bags, luggage tags and vintage inspired Christmas ornaments. Price range $3-30. Attending: Dec 8/9, 15/16, 22/23.

Ecoartworx: Earth Friendly & Ethical, Eco-Fashion accessories and Jewelry.  Price Range: $5- $120. Attending: December 22nd.

The Space

Hydro, water, security, heat, liability insurance, wi-fi, in addition to other benefits such as Open House every First Friday evening of the month, group shows, adult craft nights, networking, and more!

Some business use possibilities: art studio, jewellery studio, textile & other crafts, painting/sculpting classes, children’s arts & crafts, yoga, specialty retail etc. The possibilities are endless!

There are eight studio spaces available, ranging from 100 to 200 sq feet. Each secure micro business space is bright, with a high ceiling, is fitted with a sink and may be custom built to suit each tenant.

Long and short term leases are available, and sharing spaces is welcome!

Each tenant is also given a display area to promote their business, and contact info and/or opening hours, as well as on our website.

The retail gallery section of the store is also for rent based upon square footage with only 10% sales commission!

We supply the retail staff and help the artist vendor to promote themselves to the retail customer!

Please contact Tara for more information on renting a studio space, retailing your product, or joining the Christmas Craft Shows:   torontotara (at) yahoo.com

Many thanks!

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Pop-Up Shops – This December

We started with two pop-up shops in October. And, not to toot our own horns, but they were a great success. Why? Because all of you came out to take a look.

Building on that excitement, the Renew East Danforth team (and it’s a big team now) has been working like mad for the month of November to organize nine shops in six storefronts over two blocks.

We believe this is the biggest pop-up the city has ever seen and it’s been done completely by volunteers.  More than 30 artists and entrepreneurs applied for this round and the nine that were selected are a fantastic mix of arts, gifts, clothing, accessories (from silver jewellery to duct tape wallets), arts and crafts workshops and fitness classes.

We’ve been reading a lot about pop-ups lately and we know that by increasing activity in empty storefronts and bringing shoppers to a commercial strip, pop-up shops have successfully regenerated run-down neighbourhoods around the world.  Where there are shoppers, paying retail tenants follow.

The pop-up shops are opening this Saturday, December 1st for the month of December.

(You might want to keep a copy of the Pop-up Poster in your pocket for easy reference :-)

 

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Pop-Up Shops – The Details

Here are the details for the December pop-up shops.

December 1 – 31 @ 1801 Danforth

  • bright-brown vintage+handmade has high-quality vintage clothing, decor and vinyl as well as hand-made jewelry and arts, and
  • VSVSVS (pronounced versus, versus, versus) is a site-specific art installation.

December 1 – 31 @ 1803 Danforth

  • Pop goes the Easel! is a colourful explosion of art. Expect paintings, prints, cards, magnets, art workshops and drop-in crafts. Join Nathalie Vachon and Helen Billett for great gift ideas, some decadence for your walls and some creative inspiration.

December 1 – 31 @ 1872 Danforth

  • Careerfit Mom – Take advantage of career coaching and fitness services, including resume writing, job search strategies, fitness classes and personal training.

December 1 – 31 @ 1936 Danforth

  • LEN – Democratic Purveyors of Fine Art & Beautiful Things. For the discerning buyer, a gallery of emerging and established Canadian artists will include carefully selected and prudently priced objects. 

December 1 – 22 @ 1940 Danforth

  • Tyke Threads is a Toronto-based online boutique specializing in hip, unique, quality clothing for boys (and girls who don’t want to be in pink.)

December 1 – 9 @ 1948 Danforth

December 11 – 24 @ 1948 Danforth

  • Lemon Drop Clothing – Choose your custom dress design. They’ll take your measurements. You choose from the luxurious fabrics and 3-4 weeks later your fabulous frock arrives on your doorstep!

December 26 – 31 @ 1948 Danforth

  • Marina Rocks Toronto – Get your funky duct tape accessories made by teen entrepreneur, Marina. Unique and fun, each is a piece of art.

December 26 – 31 @ 1948 Danforth

  • Mrs. Darlings Imaginarium for girls and boys is a place to play with art and discover the art of play. There will be many media and materials for kids to create interesting and beautiful things. Drop-in times and classes offered. 
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We need your help tomorrow night!

Dear Neighbours,

DECA’s Renew East Danforth Team has been hard at work painting and scrubbing multiple storefronts along the Danforth in preparation for a pop-up bonanza for the month of December. (You’ll here more details on that shortly)

1872 Danforth Avenue was our last storefront to come available.  This soon-to-be beautiful space will be the December home of CareerFit Mom.  However, the space needs a little elbow grease to make it shine, and we are quite anxiously looking for some extra people to help out.  Tomorrow, Thursday November 29, starting at 7:00 p.m.  the team will descend upon this space – if you can offer an hour or two (or three!) of your time and effort, we would be so very, very grateful.

Please sign up to help by following this link: http://www.signupgenius.com/go/60B084CA8AF23A13-clean1

If you have any questions or need more information, email Natasha by clicking here.

Thank you, thank you, thank you.