By Melinda M, on April 25th, 2010%
 For the latest in our series of Ossington Business Profiles, we got Christian McLeod to answer our questions. Christian runs his eponymous arts studio and gallery at 89 Ossington Ave. The picture to the left is a sample of his work, a recent painting called “Control Room” which is going to be part of an exhibit in May in Halifax at Gallery Page and Strange. So, on to the answers:
What’s your business?
Christian McLeod’s arts studio.
How is your business unique?
My situation is unique in that there is no seperation of gallerist and or gallery presentation of works from the viewer, the visitors and collectors see finished works and works in progress, this is a unique experience as the viewer rarely get a chance to walk into an artists work space.
I have lived off and on all over this area going back to High school and Art School, when The Toronto School of Art was at Queen and Dovercourt back in the early 1990′s.
The gallery scene on Ossington gives way to bars, gives way to fancy restaurants with fancy cars in them. That’s how it goes.
Luft becomes Sweaty Beaty’s, and on up the money chain.
How long have you been in business here?
I have lived and worked on this street for 5 years now. My location is a live/work storefront arts studio. I moved here from the Dundas st. and Ritchie st. building, yet another building that turfed out the artists to make way for Authentic Loft Dwellers.
What drew you to be here on Ossington?
I was drawn to Ossington by a cheap studio for rent on Craig’s list. The studio buildings where for the most part all converted so i jumped at the chance. Frankly after having moved further and further west as the buildings where converted, it was funny to me that i got to move back down here, felt like the Jefferson’s.
What changes have you seen on Ossington since your business has been here?
During the day and early evening the changes on Ossington are, for the most part good changes, its harder to find a spot to get the oil changed in the car and parking is scarce now that 905 is here to play.
But later in the evening that drunk fools who think the parking lots and fences are their washrooms is disgusting.
The Galleries that have moved onto the street are a great addition, they are serious professional galleries who have years of experience and are very serious about their work.
Two of the best restaurants in the city are on this street, so how can i complain about that, except when i don’t have the coin to enjoy them.
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How do you see your business and Ossington five years from now?
Converted into condo’s.
What is your favorite spot on Ossington, other than your own? and why?
Fav Spot is Foxley, its all about the staff.. oh ya and the food that will leave your mouth begging for more. And their list is good too.
By Melinda M, on April 22nd, 2010%
 Living in the neighborhood, we often see people toting yoga mats and heading straight for 148 Ossington, the home of YogaSpace, which is run by owner and director Kathyrn Beet. For the seventh in our series of Ossington Business Profiles, we spoke to Janice, the administrator of this yoga studio and so much more! Below, the answers to our questions:
What’s your business?
How is your business unique?
How long have you been in business here?
YogaSpace is an established Toronto Yoga studio in it’s 15th year (on the Ossington strip for 6 years). We offer a wide variety of Yoga classes on an extensive drop-in schedule. We also offer specialty pre-registered classes and workshops including monthly Introduction to Yoga and Therapeutic Yoga workshops. We lead two teacher training programs anually and host workshops featuring internationally
renowned Yoga Teachers. Our senior teachers lead Yoga retreats annually both locally and abroad. We are also home to a clinical team who offer integrated therapeutics including registered massage therapy, shiatsu, acupuncture, naturopathy, osteopathy, lifestyle coaching and thai massage.
We are a community made up of people from all walks of life who come together to enjoy the beauty and serenity of the space, the attentive, down to earth and friendly manner of our staff, and our strong teaching team. YogaSpace offers something for everyone. We see Yoga as a therapeutic tool that can
become a foundation for health. While some people come to the studio for exercise or to tone, strengthen and increase flexibility, others are working to overcome challenges such as insomnia, anxiety, depression, stress and low energy. Whether you are looking for a vigorous vinaysa class, a gentle introduction to yoga, a meditative hatha class or a deeply therapeutic restorative class, our approach is therapeutic, and our intention is to provide students with a wide variety of opportunities to heal mind and body.
What drew you to be here on Ossington?
We wanted to be in the centre of our Queen West neighborhood and we saw Ossingon as the new frontier. We were one of the first businesses to open up here, and it has been exciting to see our vision of the strip manifest.
What changes have you seen on Ossington since your business has been here?
Everything has changed. Ossington went from being one of the ugliest, emptiest streets to a thriving, funky happening strip.
How do you see your business and Ossington five years from now?
We are constantly growing and expanding, and so is Ossington, so we are really excited about the next 5 years.
What is your favorite spot on Ossington, other than your own? and why?
We love Jaiden’s Petals and Cindy Loo Who and they provide us with all of our flowers and furniture. We also love the pizza at Libretto!
By Melinda M, on March 25th, 2010%
The 6th in our series of business profiles is of C1 art space . Located at 44 Ossington, C1 is an interesting spot where they not only display art, but offer opportunities for people to interact with art through classes.
Sandra from C1 answers our 8 questions:
What’s your business?
I run C1 art space, an art shop, art school and clay studio, with my husband Ross Bonfanti for the past 5 years. I am also a cofounder of a second business on Ossington, AWOL Gallery and Studios, with a collective of seven artists for the past 11 years.
How is your business unique?
C1 art space is a community hub of creativity for all ages that allows people to see art items, buy them or learn to create and appreciate various processes. We have a fun blend of mixed media, clay and silk screening courses offered that draw people of all types of backgrounds.
How long have you been in business here?
5 years with C1 art space and 11 with AWOL Gallery and Studios
What drew you to be here on Ossington?
Initially back in 1999 it was affordability as we were fresh out of school. We needed a large space to house multiple art studios and the commercial/industrial aspect of some of the larger spaces on the street worked out perfectly. Now it’s grown so much and there is such versatility of businesses opening up. This street essentially became our home and where we wanted to remain when Ross and I deciding to open up C1 art space.
What changes have you seen on Ossington since your business has been here?
Many. The street was mostly karaoke bars with very little daytime traffic. It’s developing into an entirely new street.
How do you see your business and Ossington five years from now?
I would hope that Ossington continues to develop into a community village of sort, like Roncesvalles, that will remain long term and be integrated with the surrounding neighbourhood community. Ross and I hope to still be making things and showing Canadian artists work and handmade gift items we love so much.
What is your favorite spot on Ossington, other than your own? and why?
Jaiden’s Petals and Cindiloohoo. Dani and Stefano are rays of sunshine on the street and have always been about old school community. You can go in and get one of Dani’s lovely bouquets and chat for a bit about life. They care.
By Melinda M, on March 10th, 2010%
 For #5 in our series of business profiles, we visit 216 Ossington and Cantadora Naturopathic Healthcare Centre. We spoke to Erin of Cantadora and she answered our 8 questions, below.
What’s your business?
Cantadora Naturopathic Healthcare Centre
How is your business unique?
We are a community-based wellness centre with a collective of therapists offering services such as naturopathic medicine, registered massage, acupuncture, shiatsu, craniosacral therapy and osteopathy. We have a small natural products shop, a book-lending library, and offer some educational
programs and cooking classes.
How long have you been in business here?
Since April 2008
What drew you to be here on Ossington?
I lived in the area for years – it’s where I walked everyday, got my coffee, pho, saw live music, and so on. This area is a beautiful melting pot, with a variety of ethnicities; people of all income levels (all the way from absolutely nothing to too much); musicians, artists & creative people…all kinds of perspectives and states of mind converge here. All are welcome.
What changes have you seen on Ossington since your business has been here?
There is a lot more foot traffic than there used to be, especially during the daytime, which is great.
How do you see your business and Ossington five years from now?
My hope is for it to be more like Kensington or Roncesvalles (or that it become it’s own special and unique community with a broad range of businesses and residents) and less like Yorkville or King West.
What is your favorite spot on Ossington, other than your own? and why?
Frantic City, formerly Babel Books, is great for unique and cheap finds in the books and music department. I think Dakota Tavern is brilliant for live music and it’s family-style Bluegrass Brunch is a good time. Yet I Deal Coffee takes the prize, because it’s delicious.
By Melinda M, on March 3rd, 2010%
 Lush and Lavish Salon Spa is the 4th business featured in our Ossington Business Profiles, so owners Linh and Trudy have answered our 8 questions.
If you don’t know already, Lush and Lavish is a full service salon located at 200 Ossington Avenue with plenty of great reviews.
With no further ado, let’s get to the 8 questions!
What’s your business?
Lush & Lavish Salon Spa
How is your business unique?
We’re a one-stop-shop for pampering with a full service hair salon, spa and laser clinic, we offer all beauty services from makeup lessons and airbrush tanning to laser hair removal. All of our spa products are certified organic and our haircare line is chemical free.
How long have you been in business here?
Since October 2008
What drew you to be here on Ossington?
We’ve been watching the strip for a number of years and loved the changes that were happening and wanted to be a part of the community. We have two sister companies in the area, Huh Boutique at 847 Queen St W and Toi Bar on College St. We also own residential apartments on the Ossington strip.
What changes have you seen on Ossington since your business has been here?
Ossington still has the same fun busy vibe as when we first arrived which is great, but sadly Mr Pantalone is doing his best to stem restaurant growth and the daytime cafes seem to be struggling a bit at the moment, what’s driving that is anyones guess.
How do you see your business and Ossington five years from now?
2010 is already shaping up to be a great year for us and we were recently voted as one of the best spas in Toronto on blogto.com. With all the residential development in the area the buzz on Ossington will continue to get louder and we’re looking forward to growing with it for many years.
What is your favorite spot on Ossington, other than your own? and why?
The House of Horvath fascinates me. It’s been in business on Ossington since 1932! Whenever I walk past it I think of the cigar factory tour I did in Havana, Cuba, I’d love to take a tour of the House of Horvath.
By Melinda M, on February 27th, 2010%
 This is the third edition of our new series where we profile neighborhood businesses and ask them a set of 8 questions about running their business on Ossington.
Located at 15 Ossington, just north of Queen, Silver Falls Vintage is an upscale vintage shop with art gallery Hunter and Cook in the back.
We asked Lindsay from Silver Falls Vintage our 8 questions about her business and here are her answers:
What’s your business?
Silver Falls Vintage.
How is your business unique?
I sell vintage clothing and my boyfriend Jay runs an art gallery in the back called Hunter and Cook.
How long have you been in business here?
Just over a year.
What drew you to be here on Ossington?
The action! I couldn’t think of another spot to be really. We got in at the right time before the rents started going crazy.
What changes have you seen on Ossington since your business has been here?
The weekends in the summer are nuts on this strip! I used to live on Argyle Street 15 years ago and the neighbourhood was super sketchy. I would run home from the bus stop. Now the only thing you have to be afraid of are drunken, suburbanite douchebags.
How do you see your business and Ossington five years from now?
We are closing the gallery in the spring and will be converting the space into an antique shop.
I hope Ossington gets a few more cheap, daytime food places. More daytime business in general.
What is your favorite spot on Ossington, other than your own? and why?
I love the Vietnamese restaurant Pho Tien Thanh. I probably eat there too much……
And TAN coffee! My pal Marilyn is the owner- I probably drink too much coffee as well.
By Melinda M, on February 23rd, 2010%
 This is the second edition of our new series where we profile neighborhood businesses and ask them a set of 8 questions about running their business on Ossington.
Our profile today is of art gallery MKG127. Located on the east side of Ossington at Argyle Street, MKG127 is a contemporary art gallery which showcases artists from Canada and around the world.
And now, 8 questions with Michael Klein of MKG127.
What’s your business?
art gallery
How is your business unique?
I’ve had people come in and ask “what is this place ?”
I often show work that challenges people’s idea about what “art” should look like.
How long have you been in business here?
Opened June 2007
What drew you to be here on Ossington?
I thought the strip between Queen & Dundas felt like a unique, self contained little village. There were a few galleries that had located there too.
What changes have you seen on Ossington since your business has been here?
Many more places to eat & drink.
How do you see your business and Ossington five years from now?
Probably the opposite of what I would predict.
What is your favorite spot on Ossington, other than your own? and why?
I have a lot of favourites but here’s a couple I’ve been frequenting recently.
Superior Dry Cleaners, they do a great job , quick and very reasonable, recently even did a little repair job for me for free. I had the same hair stylist for about 20 years and when he retired last year I didn’t have to look very far for his
replacement, I tried Viva Hair, got a great cut, nice price & incredibly convenient.
MKG127 is located at 127 Ossington Street.
By Brians, on February 1st, 2010%
We’re adding a new series here on the Ossington Blog – Ossington Business Profiles. They are a short set of questions we are asking the business owners on the street about running their business on the Ossington strip.
 Appropriately, our first profile is on Sweaty Bettys, one of the first hip places to be on the strip. Sweaty Bettys has been around since before Ossington was known by the rest of the city, and was an out-of-the-way place often frequented by celebrities who wanted to find a more secluded place to go. It’s still small and quaint, but busier with a broader audience. It’s still one of my favourite patios in the city.
So here it is: 8 questions with Pol Cristo-Williams, from Sweaty Bettys:
What’s your business?
Sweaty Betty’s
How is your business unique?
We tell people to piss off and they still keep coming back. Totally unique.
How long have you been in business here on Ossington?
5 years for Sweaty Betty’s, and my wife had an art gallery at the same location for two years before that. And we had The Sparrow Restaurant for a couple of years before it became Delux.
What drew you to be in the neighbourhood?
My wife. She’s cool. (see above)
What changes have you seen since your business has been here?
People shoot each other way less.
How do you see your business and Ossington five years from now?
Probably knocked down and turned into a Starbucks. That, or it’ll be full of aging hipsters who don’t really like Betty’s, but agree to still go there because the beer is cheap and it’s walking distance from home.
What is your favorite spot on Ossington (other than your own, of course)?
Downtown Lumber. They sell everything. And Jaiden’s Petals. Flowers are nice.
Any other thoughts on the neighbourhood you’d like to add?
Um, if Pantelone leaves, do we get our street back?
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For the latest in our series of Ossington Business Profiles, we got Christian McLeod to answer our questions. Christian runs his eponymous arts studio and gallery at 89 Ossington Ave. The picture to the left is a sample of his work, a recent painting called “Control Room” which is going to be part of an exhibit in May in Halifax at Gallery Page and Strange. So, on to the answers:
