new store – Danforth East Community Association

November 18, 2018

Coming soon to the Danforth, and more!

It may be colder than it’s supposed to for mid-November, but that’s no reason to miss out on walking our amazing neighbourhood.

Yesterday I was on a little stroll running errands and I saw so many nearly-open new businesses and other fun things that this blog post practically wrote itself.

Coming Soon…

My Sewing Studio

1898 Danforth (formerly The Handwork Dept)

The door says “alterations and repairs”. Since the hem just fell out of my favourite pencil skirt, (and I have zero interest in learning to fix it myself) this is great news!

Little Ones Closet

1854 Danforth (formerly Merrily, Merrily)

Looks like it’s a kids consignment store selling new clothes too – great news!

Cumin Fine Indian Kitchen

1820 Danforth (formerly Forth Ave Kitchen & Bar)

When they open up, their website will be: http://www.cuminkitchen.com

Flourishing Sprouts

2039 Danforth (formerly Caketown Coffee)

It’s a child’s activity centre – here’s the website to follow for more info.

https://www.flourishingsprouts.com

…And more!

Other recently-opened businesses you want to know about:

The Workaround, 2080 Danforth (formerly TD Bank)

A parent-friendly co-working space. For membership and other info, visit https://theworkaround.ca

The Ellery, 1870 Danforth

(formerly Melanie’s Bistro)

A great new restaurant with lunch, dinner, and brunch. http://www.theelleryto.com

Common Threads, 2026 Danforth

(formerly condo sales office and before that an abandoned jewellery store)

“We teach life skills – sewing, cooking, organization and money management – in a fun environment.”

https://ourcommonthreads.ca/

Gyoko Sushi, 2143 Danforth

(formerly Happy Sushi)

This may be in the same genre as it’s predecessor, but it’s an entirely different place owned by a local family. It has been nicely renovated and everyone raves about the delicious and reasonably priced food.

https://www.facebook.com/Gyoko-Sushi-226922467965331/

Virtual Experience (VX), 2069 Danforth (upstairs)

Virtual Reality Arcade & Lounge, family and kid-friendly.

https://virtualxperience.ca/

Although the Handwork Dept https://torontovintage.ca just moved a few stores to the west, the new space is amazing. I don’t want to ruin the surprise, but definitely go downstairs. Their basement is brimming with treasures from yesteryear and will make you strangely nostalgic for your parents’ basement. I snapped a few pics but you really have to see for yourself. (Yes, that’s a pinball machine and yes all those records are for sale.)

September 16, 2017

Summer continues this weekend: Arts fair, concert, new store and more!

Want to make the most of this unexpected summery weather? Here are some suggestions!

Danforth East Arts Fair, East Lynn Park, Sat & Sun, 10am-5pm

I know you know but here’s the poster again anyway because honestly, our 100% volunteer-run, juried (meaning the vendors were selected as the cream of the crop among many applicants) arts fair is such an amazing event. You must go.

While you’re there, don’t forget to post some pics to social media using #DECAF17

Rikki Nicks Concert, Stephenson Park, Sat 7-9:30pm

How fun is this? Awesome Fleetwood Mac cover band, plus food, wine and beer available for purchase from Sauce, Hooked and Tuana!?!

Stephenson Park is by Main and Danforth, more or less behind Sobey’s. Kudos to Councillor McMahon and Friends of Stephenson Park for organizing.

If you live in the area and want to help our with Friends of Stephenson Park, email us and we will put you in touch or contact them via their Facebook page. They really need volunteers, especially for the winter ice rink effort.

August Kinn Grand Opening, Sat 10am-6pm, 1374 Danforth

A lovely new store for baby things has opened between Coxwell & Greenwood. Visit them today for their grand opening event! They will have door prizes and other fun stuff so check it out.

Other DECA Events

Okay fine, we *just* posted yesterday about our scavenger hunt and the impressive prizes available, plus our two fun #DECAde birthday parties happening on Thursday (Sept 21) and on Saturday (Sept 23) so here’s a link to that post in case you missed it.

Do you love what DECA does? Support us by buying a $10/household membership. Click here! We are also looking for volunteers for events, our Board and for whatever your great idea is!

Even more events later this week!

WAX + WATER

A collection of recent encaustic and acrylic artworks by Victoria Wallace and Deanna Hutton. September 22-27, 2017 at STUDIO by the Nooks – 1912 Danforth Ave, 1 1/2 blocks west of Woodbine

OPENING NIGHT PARTY – Friday, September 22 from 6-9pm.

For those that can’t make it to the Opening, the Gallery will be open the following days/times.
Friday, Sept 22.……….6pm-9pm – Opening Night Party
Saturday, Sept 23.…..11am-7pm – encaustic demonstrations
Sunday, Sept 24.…….11am-5pm – acrylic demonstrations
Monday, Sept 25.…… 11am-5pm – gallery open
1pm-4pm – *Acrylic Transfer Workshop by Victoria
Tuesday, Sept 26.……11am-7pm – artists painting in the gallery
Wednesday, Sept 27..11am-5pm – artists painting in the gallery

*Acrylic Transfer Workshop – $75 includes all materials – max 8 participants. To register, please contact Victoria at victoriawallaceartist@gmail.com.

Now Magazine Readers’ Poll

It’s a big deal for our locals to win these “best of” awards so take time to vote and show everyone in this city what #DanforthEast has to offer. Voting closes this Thursday (September 21) at 11pm so do not delay.

To make it easy, our friends at Moberly consolidated all of our local nominees here:

http://www.moberlynaturalfoods.com/2017/07/21/now-best-toronto-find-danforth-east-businesses-nominated/

That’s all for now!

September 9, 2015

Kickin’ it Old’s Cool!

A really, really cool new shop has opened up on our north-east boundary and you all need to know about it, and go and visit them. Old’s Cool General Store is on the north-west corner of Lumsden & Westlake and let me tell you, this is more than your average convenience store.

FullSizeRender_3 — n/w corner of Lumsden & Westlake | Open Mon-Sat, 9-9, Sun, 11-7

Step inside and you’ll feast your eyes first on a table full of candy. A quaint bistro set sits in the front window and coffee and cookies are available for purchase. Walk in even further in and you won’t find any dusty containers of expired shortening here – the food on the shelves is high quality and pretty much the opposite of what you’d expect. Lots of organic food (including baby cereal), fancy chips, soda and chocolates, and all sorts of unexpected gems. They even have a wall of their very own branded Sigg water bottles (thanks to a neighbour with connections!) on sale for only $14.99.

So now you’re hungry and loving the store and then comes the decor section, which is like a mini arts fair with a nice selection of locally produced artisan products as well as antiques and other surprises. It’s amazing.

Owners Mariko and Zahra have hopes of running community events in the back area (which they are slowly clearing as part of their phased reno of the shop) and you can see this sincerity in the invite below to their official grand opening, this Saturday, September 12 from 4-5pm.

Come and see for yourself, and let’s give this great new business a proper Danforth East welcome!

If you’re not already convinced, more pics are below (I couldn’t help myself – it felt like finding a secret treasure in there!)

FullSizeRender_1 — Old timey (and new timey) candy including, bobobats for 35 cents apiece

FullSizeRender — Cool selection of organic sodas and drinks

FullSizeRender_2 — Organic baby food? Check.

FullSizeRender_4 — Local artisans sell their creations in the back of the store

Mariko in action – these happy customers bought organic maple bacon flavoured chips (which are totally healthy because they’re organic, right?)

August 15, 2015

Updates, movies and next DECA Board mtg!

Hello Neighbours!

As we head into a couple of days of heat advisory, a small reminder to please check on vulnerable neighbours, take extra care with kids and pets, and please please please water your trees. Buckets full of water for the trees please. (If you have a moment to spare, please water some trees at a park or in a schoolyard!)

And now for the news…

Merrily, merrily is here to stay!

Another one of our pop-up shops has just become a permanent store on at 1854 Danforth (beside Oaks ‘n Acorns) – congratulations to Merrily, merrily! If you haven’t been yet, they are a go-to for new, nearly new and handmade goods for babies, kids and even moms-to-be. It’s a lovely shop, and they have even more stuff for sale online: www.merrilymerrily.ca.

Could this get any better? Yes! They are a consignment shop, so every purchase puts money in the pockets of your neighbours as well as these local mompreneur owners. Win-win! And don’t forget the summer pop-up promo on until August 31 with current and former pop-up shops, which will save you the tax at Merrily, merrily (click here for more info on the promo).

Gentle reminder: Permanent stores are only permanent as long as we support them. SHOP LOCAL!

Speaking of awesome local shops…

Face to Face Games is celebrating their 1st Birthday!

This Tuesday, August 18 please visit Face to Face Games to enjoy 10% off everything in the store and buy-one-get-one-free lemonades all day long.

2077a Danforth (above Pizza Pizza, @ Woodbine)

A few things you should know about this amazing shop:

It is packed every night. Packed.
They have an amazing cafe full of fresh, healthy and very affordable meals, snacks, coffee and their signature house-made lemonade and iced tea. Seriously. You need to try it.
The owners want the space to be as much a neighbourhood drop-in as a shop. There are games on hand available to play for free (they have games for all ages) and they encourage people to bring along their favourite game from home to play as well. No catch, just a sincere interest in wanting to be a place where people gather.

Go there on a date, with your friends, with your kids, or go theire by yourself. You’ll love it!

Board games to Board meetings…and who doesn’t LOVE a good Board meeting?

DECA Board Meeting

This Tuesday, August 18 will be he next DECA Board meeting. Do you want to join us? We are trying something new this time, and will spend 7:30-8:30 with no formal agenda to give us a chance to chat with anyone who chooses to join us. Come and say hi and have a beverage with us (not on us)! If you want to stay for the actual meeting, you’re welcome to do so but you don’t have to. We thought this might be a better way engage with potential volunteers and others than our usual meeting-only approach.

If you want to come, please RSVP by clicking here and we can provide the details. (We do this so that we know who is coming and can ensure that we meet in a big enough space to accommodate!)

And last but not least…

Free Movie for Teens at Danforth/Coxwell Library: Insurgent

Next Wednesday (Aug 26) for teens 13+ including free popcorn and door prize!

And it’s Movie Night this week at the Market: How to Train Your Dragon 2!

Stay cool, East Enders!

March 12, 2015

Viking Bakery!

Thanks to DECA Diaries reader, Christina Marshall, for this great post and pic!

A new Icelandic bakery is serving up delicious traditional fare on the Danforth, a few blocks east of Woodbine.

Viking Bakery at 2207 Danforth Avenue is the dream of Birgir Robertsson, a master baker born and raised in Reykjavik, the capital of Iceland.

Master Baker Brigir displayes his traditional Icelandic baked goods

A sign outside his store says, “We are different. Try us.” I stepped into the bakery to see for myself and was smitten with this one-of-a-kind store.

I am not alone. Other people are falling under this Nordic spell. The bakery opened after Valentine’s Day and it already has customers who consider themselves regulars.

Take time to drop by too, and you’ll be back.

The traditional cakes, biscuits, crackers and breads Robertsson bakes include: kleinur, a fried pastry popular for centuries, also known as Icelandic donuts; ginger cookies (the best I have ever tasted); hatrakex, traditional crisp oatmeal biscuits; rye bread; and vinaterta, a layered cake.

What a wonderful addition to our neighbourhood!

Regular store hours: Tuesday to Sunday: 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.; Monday: closed.

For even more info about Viking, check out today’s Toronto Star’s article!

November 18, 2014

Stock-in-Trade – lunches, butchery classes, supper club and more!

Thanks to Heather Bean for the post about one of the neighbourhood’s newest additions! (Stock-in-Trade was a regular fixture at our farmers’ market this past summer, so here’s how to find them year-round)

During the day, Stock-in-Trade is our newest (and very excellent) local butcher, just west of Linsmore on the Danforth. But they’re aiming to be an evening destination as well, with bi-monthly classes and supper clubs. Both kick off over the next two weeks.

Stock-in-Trade’s first class convenes this Thursday (November 20) from 7:30-9:30, where their house butcher, Miss Mo, will be teaching Butchery 101. Under the eye of their Sanagan’s-trained instructor, students will learn how to disassemble whole chickens and trim pork shoulders into pork roasts. Participants will also learn basic butchering skills such as knife holding and sanitation techniques. Equipment is provided, and participants take home the fruits of their butchery. Cost is $45 per person. Night classes will take place twice a month, with topics ranging from sausage making to meat marinades (cost per class depending on the topic).

If you’re more into the eating end of the butchery process, you can sign up for Stock-in Trade’s inaugural Supper Club to be held at the shop on November 26, starting at 7:30. For $55 (BYOB, no corkage), Jason Becker and BJ Verano will serve a five-course bistro-style menu that looks amazing (see below). There are just ten places at the table, so if you’re interested, reserve now.

To stay informed about these and other events, call 416.792.5059, send a note to info@stockintrade.com or find them on Twitter at @stockintradeto. stockintradeto.com

And if you haven’t stopped by for a sandwich at lunch, do yourself a favour!

Supper Club Menu:

Start

Lamb pastrami reuben melt

First Course

Five ways of beef

Dry aged rib eye & watercress salad

Proper steak tar tare

Roasted bone marrow on toast

Pickled beef tongue with mustard & pickles

Crispy sweetbreads & Brussels sprouts

Second Course

House wild boar bangers & celeriac mash

Bourbon sour cherry jus, apple mustardo

Third Course

Game & fowl Cassoulet

Green salad

Finish

Sugar pie with salted caramel ice cream