Did last summer’s torrential rains find their way into your basement or flood your street? Consider planting a rain garden: a plot of native flowers and grasses strategically placed to absorb stormwater runoff. These little gardens can suck up a surprising amount of water: up to one inch of rain on your entire property. Rain gardens are designed to drain completely, so your backyard won’t be harbouring any baby mosquitoes. They also filter water that would otherwise carry contaminants down to the lake–and into our drinking supply.
Sound pretty great? Want to learn more? On Thursday, May 21 at 7 p.m. at Kimbourne United Church, Toronto Region Conservation Authority experts are offering a workshop to discuss the latest developments in rain gardens, rain chains, rainwater storage, and permeable paving. Click here to register (the registration setup is a bit disorienting, but yes, it is free!).
Native Plant Sale at Artisans at Work – May 16 & 17
Don’t forget to vote in our #DECAgems contest! Click here for all the info, and please join us on Thursday at Hirut when we will announce the winner!!
Our team of volunteers spent the night going through all your fabulous nominations and settling on the Final Four candidates.
Before I disclose them, let me give you some statistics. We started this competition with nothing more than a blog post, some beautifully designed posters (thank you Heather Corbin), and a hope that our neighbours would be as keen as we were to celebrate our local businesses.
The response has been overwhelming. We’ve received more than 400 nominations in that time, for 100 businesses.
We’ve heard heart-warming, interesting and funny stories about local places that otherwise, we might not have frequented. And many of the local businesses have told us that as a result, they’ve already received new customers — because of the nominations and the campaign. All of them are touched by the attention. They feel valued. That was the real point of the #DECAgems competition. We might live in an internet world, but in the end it’s the old-fashioned word-of-mouth that draws business in this place. We are true neighborhood.
Because of the outpouring, we’ve decided to continue the spirit of this competition after it’s all over by featuring one business a month on our blog, and with neighborhood activities. We will call it the “Gem of the Month.”
However, we had to choose.
How to fish out a measly 4 from a pool of 100? We were guided by three principles: Popularity among voters; the impact our #DECAgems marketing prize could have on the particular business; and, what this business might give back to the DECA community.
We won’t chose which of the final four will be crowned the #DECAgem. That’s up to our team of celebrity judges (you can scope them out here), who will get a tour of the Final Four next week and then join us on Thursday May 14 at Hirut Restaurant to cast their votes. You are welcome too! Mark the date in your calendar and join us at 2050 Danforth (just west of Woodbine) for some food on us, neighborly chat, a glass of wine perhaps and certainly some entertainment.
Among our judges is Guinness Book record oyster shucker and restauranteur Pat McMurray and Spacing Magazine publisher Matt Blackett.
Before that, you can vote for which of the four you think deserves the prize. We’ve set up a voting page here. As it turns out, we’ve written about each of the four over the past three weeks. You can look back at their reviews.
The drum has been rolling long enough. The anticipation is killing you!
Here, with no further ado, are the Final Four, in complete random order:
The #DECAgems competition is over. Let the Battle of the Gems begin!
The #DECAgems decision crew, from left to right: Mark Rullo; Corinne McCabe; Gay Stephenson; Stephanie Nakitsas; Tina Schertz, Catherine Porter; Pat Young and Annette Bourque.
It’s still not too late to get in your nomination for a #DECAGem. Today is the last day so be sure to let us know your favourite local biz and why they’re a gem, how it is hidden, and why it deserves a marketing prize pack. You can nominate it on Facebook (DanforthEastCommunityAssociation), Twitter (@decadiaries using the hashtag #DECAgems) or by e-mail at DECAgems@gmail.com.
Teresa and Shiro Maruo and their son Sean opened Nana Florist have been in business just over two years.
You may have heard a little bit about the speciality Japanese ikebana flower arrangements available at NaNa Florits for just $10. Here’s a little more about this #DECAGem nominee.
What would you do with the prize package?
While they have a website, they’re looking to get some support and guidance on how to use social media for their business. Also, some photography work would be helpful.
Why Danforth East?
In 2010, Teresa, Mauro and their grown son, Sean, moved to Canada from Japan and settled at Coxwell and Gerrard. Shiro used to be in the hospitality industry in Japan while Teresa did Ikebana. They were familiar with the east end (Teresa and Mauro had lived here for from 1974-1990) and they liked the idea of having a business on the “prestigious” Danforth. Two years ago in 2013, the family officially opened their business.
So, what is Ikebana?
Ikebana is a Japanese art of flower arrangement which emphasizes a minimalist philosophy. Usually there is one main curved branch with only a few flowers used in each arrangement. All design aspects of the arrangement are purposefully designed with each colour and flower having significance in the Japanese culture. For example, they recently made an arrangement for an 80 year old that used yellow because yellow is used for those in their 80s.
What Changes have they seen in the hood?
They have noticed some stores in this stretch have closed down and are working to improve the block. They tried a sidewalk sale to get people walking their stretch of the Danforth, and they really enjoy being in the community.
Favourite Customer Story:
Apparently we in Danforth East have some explaining to do, as our friendly Nana florists report that they get a lot of orders for apologies. Some go for the $200 ‘Forgive me’ bouquets, while others order one stem each week (until forgiven?). Their favourite story is the order for 88 red roses for someone turning 88 years old.
Fun Fresh Fact:
The Maruo’s go to a flower auction every day and buy straight from the growers. This means that they are create arrangements using Ontario flowers, which last for a very long time. In facet, one customer who comes every Saturday for her standing order of a dozen roses always s remarks that her flowers from the week before haven’t died before she comes in to get her next order.
Basil Thai Kitchen is located at 2326 Danforth Ave, just east of Oak Park Avenue. They boast some of the freshest and most flavourful food in the neighbourhood, so if you have no dinner plans tonight – get thee to this restaurant. Dine in or take out. You won’t regret it.
Fun fact #1: The restaurant’s original name was Jean’s Thai Kitchen
Ten years ago, Chris had decided he’d had enough of the computer business. He’d had loads of restaurant experience while in school and he was excited to make this a full-time career switch. Marla lived close by and is a great cook so one thing led to another and Basil Thai Kitchen was born. Chris and Marla bought the business from the original owner (going out on a limb here to say that person was Jean).
Fun Fact #2: They buy all of their produce fresh, every day
If you’ve ever eaten here, this will not be surprising. It’s inspiring to think that all of the ingredients are locally sourced. Don’t try this at home though, folks. Marla really is a very talented cook who combines flavours in all the right ways. She has even added Burmese items over the years – this is not your average Thai place.
Fun fact #3: They see things improving in the area
But not fully, says Chris, noting that there are still the occasional squabble outside of the bar next door. Chris is excited about the new developments coming on their strip of Danforth, and have generally noticed that things are changing for the better. More and more young families are coming in and the area isn’t as “rough”.
Fun fact: They don’t know what they would do if they win
The access to expert advice would be a huge opportunity for them to figure out how they can improve.
(Author’s note: Could a liquor licence be part of a marketing prize pack?)
So, we have a podcast. A DECA podcast. In fact, we have two so far — two episodes.
Damon Scheffer is a radio guy. He reads the traffic on evenings and weekends on CFRB 1010am, Classical 96.3fm and Jewel 88.5fm.
He has that satiny, syrupy voice that unhinges your jaw and massages your neck during rush hour. He moved into the neighborhood four years ago, with his wife and two little kids. Just recently, he offered to start doing podcasts about the neighborhood for DECA. How cool is that?
You can find his podcasts on the DECA website here. His first one gave an overview of the #DECAgems contest.
For his second one, he wandered through the businesses of two #DECAgems nominees — Briar Munro’s Fly Girl Fitness (85 Cedarvale, above Relish Bar and Grill) and Toula Nikolopoulos’ Oak Park Deli (213 Oak Park).
Did you realize that there are only 2 days left to get your nominations in for #DECAgems? The Final Round will be announced on Friday morning! Don’t miss out on a chance to tell everyone about your favourite spots; let us know via Facebook, Twitter @decadiaries (#DECAgems) or email!
Among the many local grocery options, Vincenzo’s Supermarket (2406 Danforth) has been voted as a standout. Beyond the impressive selection of imported goods, the “great deli with a wide array of cheeses, cold cuts and marinated goodies,” and the fresh produce and butcher counters, Vincenzo’s is “run by the nicest family who always have a warm smile and a little treat for kids,” says local nominator Andrea.
Local Vincenzo admirer Corinne (pictured above with Sam, Mary and Al) stopped by for a chat with that nice family and interviewed Mary, the daughter of the original founding owners and now part owner. Here’s what she tells us:
Mary is always on hand to greet her customers and give advice on what to buy or how to cook something. Her enthusiasm and outgoing personality makes it a treat to go in and say hello.
Vincenzo’s has been open and operating in that same location at the corner of Danforth and Westlake for 51 years. Mary officially started working there when she finished school in 1976, but before that she was always there in the evenings and on the weekends helping out. It is a true family business. Sam, Mary’s mom, was on hand today as well.
Their most popular item is their home made Italian sausages. They are made fresh in small batches, with no preservatives. On a busy day, they sometimes make 3 batches to keep up with the demand. As someone who has enjoyed their sausages, I can honestly say they are the best I’ve ever tasted! If you haven’t had them, stop whatever you’re doing and go grab some ASAP.
The best change Mary sees in the neighbourhood is that more young families are moving in with small children. Parents often drop the kids at school, then pop into Vincenzo’s to grab food for lunch or dinner that day. Mary has had the privilege of seeing small children in the community grow into teenagers. She loves getting to know the customers and looks forward to meeting all the first time homebuyers who have been moving into the neighbourhood.
Mary says she’s got so many stories to tell – some crazy, some weird – but the thing that strikes her the most as interesting is that she often feels like a Tim Horton’s drive through window employee. People stop at the door with their dog, ask Mary to grab them a few items from around the store, and hand her some money. She gathers all the required items, rings them up, and gives the change to the person waiting at the door. She gets to know what people like and she’s happy to oblige with this “drive-through” service for her customers.
If Vincenzo’s won the DECA Gems prize pack, Mary would love to get a website. Did you notice the link to the Yelp listing at the top? Mary doesn’t have e-mail either. She would love to do something about the green walls inside and says she is over her green phase. She would still like a warm colour to go with the orange fridges, but the green has got to go. And while it might be a bit beyond the prize pack, she really dislikes the metal awning over the east corner and side of the store. It’s worn and is showing its age.
Corinne says: “I think Vincenzo’s would benefit greatly by the DECA Gems prize pack. After 51 years of service to the neighbourhood, it just might be time for the community to give something back to them.”
Don’t forget to vote in our #DECAgems contest! Click here for all the info, and please join us on Thursday at Hirut when we will announce the winner!! 
