new store – Page 4 – Danforth East Community Association

April 1, 2013

Stephenson Park Update and Colour Creative!

Stephenson Park Meeting – Tuesday April 2, 2013

Colour Creative

An exciting new option for parents looking to broaden their kids’ horizons! Colour Creative is owned and operated by local artist (and mother of two) Andria Keen, who has worked in many mediums and has participated in several gallery shows – mainly for her sculptures. Andria tells us that she is honoured to have the opportunity to share her knowledge and love of various art forms with others and in doing so, to explore with them the joy, wonder and pride that they experience when they tap into their creativity through the wonderful outlet of art. More from Andria:

Colour Creative started as an idea for an art-based after-school care program, has grown into a budding art school for children ages 4 to 13, located in a cozy home environment just off Danforth near Coxwell.

Colour Creative offers a range of children’s courses throughout the year. The Spring 2013 calendar offers six courses including sculpture, drawing, art history/journaling and Arts Mart featuring a collage of mediums for the younger ones. A key theme throughout all the courses is strengthening foundational skills and paying attention to light and shade.

Also popular is the Art Passport, available to any age, which offers five one-hour private sessions for $80.00 (on Saturdays and Sundays).

In addition, this year will be Colour Creative’s first summer, and plans are currently in the works for an Artful July, so stay tuned!

For more information on how you can illuminate your child’s creative spark, click here for the Colour Creative Facebook Page, call (647-764-5336), or click here to email for more information. You can also pick up a Colour Creative activity postcard available at many of the awesome shops along the Danforth.

March 26, 2013

Out with the old, in with the new!

Out with the old…

Oaks n Acorns is hosting a “mom to mom” sale (and we’re pretty sure that no dad would be turned away), and no doubt, the tables will go fast. Details below, or check out their website: http://www.oaksnacorns.com/ DECA organized a sale like this last year, but we have no plans to do another one so if your basement looks like a baby store, seize this chance!

In with the new…

Two new businesses east of Danforth

Taste of Dominican – 2231 Danforth – not open yet, but the sign is up and it is promising to be a “fine Dominican restaurant”. It also says dine-in and take out – we’ll keep you posted!

Great Wood – 2208 Danforth – A cool-looking new shop that is selling creations made out of recycled/reclaimed wood. Located right beside where the new KIA dealership is going in. Has anyone been inside? I have peeked through the window and it looks like a gallery full of beautiful wooden items! http://www.grrrreatwood.com/

New-ish news…

Okay, it’s not new in the strict sense of the meaning, but after a long, cold winter, I think we can all agree that this is a new reason to get excited: Carter’s Ice Cream is re-opening this Friday, March 29 at noon!! There will be face painting and fun to be had by all. http://www.cartersicecream.com/

And speaking of new…did you hear that Target is opening on the Danforth (@ Victoria Park in the Shoppers World plaza) this Thursday, March 28? Okay fine, you probably knew. But isn’t it still so exciting?

Reminder: Tomorrow night there is a big pop-up meeting for anyone interested in helping us shape this exciting project. In case you missed our recent post about it, click here for details!

Follow @DECADiaries on Twitter for all the latest news!

March 20, 2013

Pop-Up Shop Big Ideas Night & More

Vision without action is merely a dream. Action without vision just passes the time. Vision with action can change the world.

Joel A. Barker

Big Ideas Night

DECA’s pop-up shops started with a vision to change the Danforth. You acted. You scrubbed. You scraped. You painted. You walked in the door. And you shopped. Each of these are small, but vital acts that support the future of our community and of walking neighbourhoods in Toronto and around the world. People who change the world don’t do it grand sweeping gestures. Well, I suppose you might if you were Warren Buffet or Bill Gates. But those guys just give money to people who scrape, scrub and and walk in the door. In these acts you are creating a community that is more vibrant, walkable and safe. Now we’re asking, once again, for a little bit more. We need your ideas.

You are cordially invited to join us for the DECA Pop-Up Shops Big Ideas Night. We want you and we need your big ideas. Pop-up shops have already been responsible for the renting of two spaces on the Danforth and we’re looking forward to a few more pop-up tenants opening up permanent shops this spring. If you like the pop-ups and the activity they are creating, we’d like you to help us think about the future of pop-ups and where to go from here.

Wednesday, March 27 7-9 p.m. This meeting will be fun and interactive. We promise!

One Last Hurrah for the Current Pop-Up Shops: Krystle Lee & Fa Real

Fa Real Designz N Prints | 1898 Danforth Avenue
Tuesday-Saturday 12-8
Fa Real brand clothing is all on sale for $10. Plus, if you want your name put on a hockey jersey you can get it done for between $15-30.

Krystle Lee | 1801 Danforth Avenue
This weekend only she will be offering everyone and additional 30% discount (on select merchandise) off the already super low prices, best to go out with a bang!

If you haven’t had the chance to shop or you left that special something behind, now is your chance.

You can catch her this Saturday and Sunday between 1-5pm

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February 15, 2013

Danforth Neighbourhood Pharmacy Care!

Grand Opening this Saturday, February 16th – 2:00 p.m.

Join your neighbours as we welcome Danforth Neighbourhood Pharmacy Care to our neighbourhood. This beautiful new community pharmacy is located at 2416 Danforth Avenue, near Westlake Avenue.

Come to the grand opening this Saturday, February 16th at 2:00 p.m. and learn about services like free pick-up and delivery, and after-hours prescription services. You can even bring in your old/expired medication, which owner Speros Dorovenis promises to safely dispose of in an environmentally friendly way.

We’re not saying anything about the competition, but there is something to be said for a pharmacy that specializes in being a pharmacy.

And look how beautiful it is!

Danforth Pharmacy_2x3-5 Card-for print 300 dpi

Your reward for reading all the way to the bottom is a little reminder about tonight’s great event…

Makin’ a Racket at the Rocket is TONIGHT (February 15th) at Red Rocket, located at 1364 Danforth Avenue. “Open mic” for poets, storytellers, authors.
7:30-9:30 p.m., and the cost is pay what you can, with a suggested donation of $5.

This event is one of several regular events run by Open Minds Toronto. To learn more about this wonderful new group started by your neighbours, visit their website at www.openmindstoronto.ca or their meetup site at www.meetup.com/Makin-A-Racket-at-the-Rocket/

February 6, 2013

Fun Events, Neigbourhood Watch, New Food and…a Salt Cave?!

This is a hodgepodge posting that almost needs a table of contents! Hopefully you can take the time to read through it all, because there’s definitely something for everyone.

Earl Beatty Community Centre Family Skating Party

Sunday, February 10th, 2:oo-4:00 p.m.
Monarch Park Rink (right beside the pool)Come out and have some fun with the whole family, courtesy of the Earl Beatty Community Centre advisory Council:

This is our 12th annual SKATING PARTY, and we invite the whole neighbourhood!

Come out with your family to have fun with music, games and a crazy scarf contest – can your scarf be the most colourful? The longest scarf? The weirdest? Come out and find out and win a prize. Games include spot skates and races for all ages.The Advisory Council also puts on a great spread – coffee donated by Red Rocket, hot chocolate and marshmallows, and home-baked goods. Lug-a-mug for a greener event! Children under six must wear a CSA approved helmet.

Pegasus Studios – Dances of Offering, February 10, 2013 at 5:00 p.m. (reception to follow)

The first Dances of Offering benefit concert began in 2001, the vision of a Pegasus student who wanted to combine her desire to help children and youth with her love of dance. Since then Dances of Offering has raised thousands of dollars each year for non-profit organizations dedicated to improving the lives of young people locally and globally.

This year’s Dances Of Offerings will be held on Sunday, Feb 10th, at 5:00 pm, and is approximately 60 minutes in length with a Reception following. This is a family-friendly event.

www.pegasusstudios.com

Community Safety – Let’s all do our part

According to police and residents a number of homes and cars have been broken into in our neighbourhood lately. Make sure to keep valuables out of your cars, and ensure that all entrances to your home are secure. If you have a back or side light on your home, turn it on in the evenings, or equip it with a motion sensor. And if you don’t have a light, think about installing one. It may seem like an added expense, but I bet it’s WAY less than your home insurance deductible.

In the event that your home or car is broken into, or if you see anything suspicious, remember to always report it the police. If you missed it before, our post from the summer listed all the ways that you can report crime – non-emergency numbers or online!! If you see something in-progress or if you feel unsafe, never hesitate to call 9-1-1.

And while we’re on the topic of safety…

You know how we are always saying that increasing foot traffic will improve security?

On Saturday evening, a neighbour was walking by our favourite local toy store, Silly Goose Kids, when she noticed that the front door was smashed and there was a burglary in progress. She scared off the would-be thieves, and then quickly called police. She was also able to provide a description of the suspects to police.

And who was this courageous neighbour? None other than Ward 31 Councillor, Janet Davis! Store owners Shamie and Tracey are very grateful that damage was kept to a minimum and nothing was taken – and we are all glad too!

(Next time you see Councillor Davis in the neighbourhood, hold back on the complaint about how long it took for your street to get plowed, and give her a pat on the back instead. Talk about going above and beyond for your Ward!)

Pizza Anyone?

Remember in the summer, when we posted about Restaurant Takeover renovating Golden Pizza at 2360 Danforth Ave? Well, it seems that maybe we caught them doing some outside shots for the sake of the beautiful summer sunshine, because last week the real reno took place. We don’t have intel about when the show will air, or about the new and improved menu (we hear it was great to start with!), but the sign sure does look nice!!

Sandwich anyone?

Feel like a sandwich? If so, you’re in luck. Danforth Sandwich has opened up at 2116 Danforth Avenue, in the old True Brew location just EOW (and we all remember what that means, right?), and we hear that their tasty italian food is not to be missed. If you have tried it yourself, please let us know! It seems that it is more than just sandwiches, but we cannot confirm or deny this rumour.

Salt Cave Anyone? (for real, keep reading)

A word from our friends at AMETHYST SPA & SALON, 1472 Danforth Avenue, 416-465-3710:

Bat Cave, Man Cave, Dance Cave and now there is a Salt Cave located in your neighbourhood. Halotherapy provides restorative health maintenance, increases the overall well-being, strengthens the immune systems and alleviates physical and emotional symptoms of respiratory illness. Just in time for the flu and cold season. Salt therapy helps you to:

Experience relief from chronic pulmonary diseases and bronchial inflammation

Treat and prevent common cold and flu

Improve your sleep and an overall feeling of emotional and overall feeling of emotional and physical health and well-being

Purify and detoxify your body.

Yes, it is time to start feeling better. www.saltcavetoronto.com

January 29, 2013

East Side Represent!

There is a certain section of DECA’s area that sometimes doesn’t get all the love it deserves. Ladies and gentlemen, I’m talking about the area known as E.O.W. – or east of Woodbine. (Okay fine, nobody calls it that, but I think it’s definitely going to catch on now that I’ve coined it.) Here is some of the exciting news from DECA’s east end…

Sandwich anyone?

We were all very sad to see the shuttering of True Brew Cafe in November, but rumour has it that a new sandwich shop is getting ready to open up in that space in the very near future. Stay tuned!

Bell’s Martial Arts

In early November, Tristan Bell opened Bell’s Martial Arts in the newly renovated building at 2200 Danforth Ave. New classes are being added all the time for children age 4 all the way up to adults, so call to find out about what classes might work for you and/or your family. The focus there is on building self-confidence, self-reliance, awareness, and strong bodies. You can contact Tristan to arrange a free trial class for you or your kids. What have you got to lose? To send an email, click here.

Bell’s Martial Arts

Monday-Friday: 4:00pm – 9:00pm

Saturday: 10:00am – 4:00pm

Sunday: closed

2200 Danforth Avenue, Toronto, ON, M4C 1K4

(647) 352-3559

http://www.facebook.com/BellsMartialArts

Kia Dealership

It’s really coming along, and it’s looking like it might be quite beautiful!

Danforth Village BIA

DECA is pretty connected to the Danforth Mosaic Business Improvement Area (BIA), which spans from Westlake Ave and west all the way to Jones. There is, however, a second BIA in our boundaries that goes from Westlake Ave and east all the way to Victoria Park Ave, called the Danforth Village BIA. They have an excellent website, which shows you all the businesses in that area, broken down into categories and there is even a map for ease of reference. DECA is planning to reach out to this BIA to get to know them better and see how we might be able to partner up. (And no, we’re not just cozying up to them because Target will be moving into their zone in a couple of months!)

Safe Crossing at Last

Many thanks to City Councillors Mary-Margaret McMahon and Janet Davis for extending the green lights at Woodbine and Danforth so that there is actually time to cross the street. Walking E.O.W. has never been so easy. (See? It’s catching on.)

Coming up: We’ve had some chatter on the blog about the BIA and the relationship between landlords, the city, the businesses, and our struggling storefronts. We’ll post more about that soon, along with exciting news about our ongoing Pop-up project!