This month, we’re showcasing holiday gifts for sale at local businesses in Ossington Village. So read our guide and hit the shops to find the best possible item for your friends and family (and maybe even yourself).
Who would like it: Yoga regulars or people who would like to give it a try. There are a lot of benefits to yoga practice, including improved alignment and circulation, and stress-relief. Yogaspace offers a full range of drop-in classes for all levels, as well as prenatal yoga for moms to be. Yogaspace offers gift cards in various denominations.
With the surge in “buy local” movements in North America this year, you may feel an urge to get your holiday gifts in Ossington Village. We can help! All month we’re showcasing gifts you can buy from local businesses. So read our guide and hit the shops to find the best possible item for your friends and family (and maybe even yourself).
Where to get it: I Miss You Vintage, 63 Ossington Ave.
The gift: A warm and fashionable hat. With fashionista labels like Missoni, and luxe fabrics like mink, I Miss You offers a wide range of styles and colors to choose from. The common characteristic will be looking good!
Price range: $20 for many, $85 for a gorgeous mink, and $100 for the striped Missoni.
Who would like it: Any female who needs to live through a Canadian winter, and wants to look good while staying warm.
Local restauranteurs will have to travel a bit further for their restaurant supplies as Booga Store and Restaurant Equipment has shuttered it’s doors. Restoration and construction is well underway for The Academy of Lions, which is going into the location at 64 Ossington. Two carpenters were working hard on a Sunday afternoon prepping for the new tenants. We shopped at Booga a few times for some household kitchen goods, and I’m sure some of the local restaurants found it convenient, but the interior evoked the old Ossington, with lots of dust and messily stocked shelves. The time was ripe to cash in on the changing neighbourhood and upgrade the location.
Academy of Lions, a local fitness club, is relocating from their spot on Dundas West which is going to become condo residences built by stylish local builder RAW Design.
A new pet supply store is opening at 984 Dundas St West, at Beatrice, in the former home of the Communal Mule. The Dog Bowl is aptly named, just north of the dog bowl in Trinity Bellwoods Park. This weekend they are in soft opening, preparing for the official opening on Monday, November 14. Stop in next week and receive 15% off all non-food merchandise as part of the opening week celebration. Alongside top quality pet toys and accessories, The Dog Bowl will sell natural, eco-friendly pet products, and North American brands.
We know there are a lot of pet owners in this neighborhood, and it seems like a needed addition to the Dundas strip.
Sad news: One of our beloved local vintage shops is closing after this weekend. We dropped in today to browse and noticed a big Closing Sale sign at Badlands Vintage at 104 Ossington. They are selling off most product at a 70% discount until they close at the end of the month. They have no plans to relocate.
Badlands will be open tomorrow if you want to make some final purchases and say goodbye to Badlands Vintage.
Here’s an update on some businesses that have closed or are about to close or move from their Ossington locations.
The restaurant Paramour is currently closed; their voice mail message says they are closed for renovation and will be reopening next month. Based on a recent article, the space is now called “94 Ossington,” after it’s address. At this time, all the space is being used for is some “pop up” shops in the next few weeks.
We also just learned that retailer and designer Virginia Johnson is closing up her Ossington shop and moving to a space at 970 College St, just west of Dovercourt. Her last day on Ossington will be Saturday, October 22. She will be throwing her semi-annual sample sale on Ossington on November 18-19, at 76 Ossington. Otherwise, head on up to College after November 1.
EDIT: A commenter to our site says Beau Lieu Bistro (59 Ossington) was open on Saturday, October 15. We don’t know the status of the restaurant, and are trying to find out, because it is a bit unusual. We have walked by a couple of nights when they should have been open but were not, so as they write on their website, call ahead:
Our restaurant may no longer be in operation.
Please call in to see whether we’re open or closed.
Thank you and sorry for the inconvenience.
Meanwhile, we will keep you posted when new businesses come in to replace these. Have any news of your own? Please post in the comments.
If you’ve sat outside and enjoyed an iced latte at I Deal coffee in the last couple months you may have noticed a trellis structure with vines growing up construction line strung to the ground. Those vines are, in fact, hops, which are part of a new brewery project called Bellwoods Brewery, founded by Mike Clark and Luke Pestl, both former brewers at Amsterdam brewery. They are hoping to encourage those hops to grow to their potential – over 40 feet in a season – and extend those wires to allow the hops, which seem to be thriving in this little urban farm, up to the wall of the cafe. The project is part of something they call City Hops where they are also growing hops in 3 other parts of the city, two private residences as well as the rooftop garden of Parts and Labour. Check out pictures on their flickr page.
The brewery will be going into the former Meta Gallery and Rolly’s Garage space just north of Argyle. Mike and Luke plan to start a wholesale brewing operation in the location and over time, and as permits permit, grow into a small retail location and then add a small restaurant. Guy Rawlings, who until recently was at Brockton General, is helping them out on the menu. According to Mike they plan on keeping the food simple, in a picnic style with gourmet cheeses, pickles, and meats. It will still take 4-6 months at least to get all the permits they require.
They also plan on building relationships with more of the local businesses. They plan to evolve their partnership with I Deal to include a coffee beer, made with some of the hops grown on the Foxley garden. Mike is also a big fan and regular of the Crooked Star, which always has a great selection of beers, so certainly look out for their beer to be served there.
As they build and develop their recipes, they are looking for official tasters. (check the link for details on how to apply) I applied and am excited to try out some of the beer before it gets out on the market.
Clearly the city media is excited about having a new brewery come to the area. Mike and Luke seem to have had little difficulty getting written up in many of the local publications including BlogTO, Toronto Life, Post City, and Toronto.com. It’s a fantastic feat of PR for a launch a few months away. It could also be that people in Toronto are more receptive to beer and brewers than ever before. With the Beer Festival and Toronto Beer Week coming in the next months, we expect more anticipation for Bellwoods Brewery.
Our local restaurants and food shops are abuzz with news, special offers, and special events, so for your convenience, we’re rounding up all those deals in one place.
We’ve tweeted about this one, but it’s worth repeating here: The much lauded new restaurant, Fishbar, offers a weekly special each Tuesday called #flexyourmussels. This is one for the tech-savvy – you need to check in on Foursquare to get a big bowl of mussels for $8. They are also doing an oyster special called UncleWillyWednesday on Wednesdays: pay for 9, get a dozen.
Another weekly deal is Delux‘s $1 oyster Tuesdays – lasting through the end of July. That’s right, all oysters for $1 all Tuesday at Delux.
More Than Pasta is expanding their offerings, with a special event coming on July 28 from 6-8:30PM. World renowned Culinary Olympic Gold Medalist, Executive Chef Roderick Strike will be cooking a special prix fixe 4 course dinner including wine showcasing their wholesome product and healthy ingredients. Cost per person is $75. Contact gabriellaAThollywood-foodsDOTcom
In a city that loves the stuff, BQM Burger’s “Poutine Throwdown” is sure to attract hungry mouths and curious onlookers. This event is scheduled for July 27 at 7PM. Wear a bib! (?)
Summerlicious started on Friday, and Watusi at 110 Ossington is participating in the $25 dinner. See the menu here.
More prix fixe menus: Bohmer is beginning a summertime prix fixe tonight which will run Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays. It’s a three course $35 menu: there’s a sample one posted here. This is in addition to their previously mentioned 5-7 menu of drinks and nibbles. Toronto’s favorite pizza place does a mean prix fixe too: Pizzeria Libretto now offers a $25 locally inspired 4 course menu for dinner, and a $15 3-course lunch, both with pizzas!
New chefs have been announced or begun work at two Dundas Street West restaurants: Enoteca Sociale announced that Chef Matthew Demille is joining their team, and nearby Brockton General may have lost Chef Guy Rawlings (he’s not going far!), but they’ve gained Alexandra Feswick, most recently of Earth.
See what I mean about lots going on? Now all that’s left is to decide where to eat!
Crafted by Te Aro celebrated it’s first birthday this Saturday, July 9, with balloons, free cupcakes and reduced price iced drinks. We remember when their doors first opened, and we’re also remembering the other local businesses which celebrate similar milestones.
The good news is that most of the businesses which opened a year ago are still going strong.
Goed Eten also opened this time last summer, and has changed quite a bit from a late night spot to it’s current status as a popular brunch and lunch eatery. Telegramme Prints and Salt Wine Bar will also celebrate a year on Ossington later this summer.
So Happy Birthday, Crafted, and many more to come!
We were happy to introduce the community to More Than Pasta when it opened early this year. This take-out emporium for healthy, freshly cooked Italian fare has thrown open houses, donated food to charity, and plans to do a lot more to serve the neighbourhood.
I spoke with Gabriella, the passion behind the growing enterprise, and she answered the questions for our Business Profile series.
If the photos are whetting your appetite, More Than Pasta is located at 121 Ossington, just south of Argyle.
What’s your business?
PRODUCING A FRESH, UNIQUE PASTA PRODUCT
• High Protein;
• Low Calories;
• Low Carbs;
• Diabetic Friendly (Low Glycemic); and
• High fibre content;
• Premium High End Packaging & Product;
• Using only the finest, all natural ingredients.
*All our raw materials are purchased in Ontario
“It’s a win-win for all: fresh food for our customers and support for Ontario Suppliers
How is your business unique?
More Than Pasta is produced the old fashioned way – artisan style with an original Italian pasta machine. This beautifully crafted process kneads and works the dough to create a truly homemade pasta experience.
More Than Pasta is lovely textured pasta that is porous and absorbs the “gusto” – the flavour of the sauce.
How long have you been in business here?
Opened in March 2011
What drew you to be here on Ossington?
The eclectic group of businesses tucked into this distinctive and diverse neighbourhood
What changes have you seen on Ossington since your business has been here?
More diversity in terms of new businesses. Lots of weekend ‘visitors’ to the community.
How do you see your business and Ossington five years from now?
As part of the neighbourhood. Supporting community events, welcoming new businesses, active in Business Associations.
What is your favorite spot on Ossington, other than your own? and why?
PARAMOUR – THE SERVICE IS EXCEPTIONAL, THE FOOD IS SPECTACULAR, AND CHEF LAURA MALIN IS FABULOUS. SHE ONCE USED OUR MORE THAN PASTA PRODUCT TO CREATE A WONDERFUL DISH FROM HER GRANDMOTHERS RECEIPES AND BOTH OF US BEING ITALIAN, WAS ONE OF OUR FAVORITES, PASTA CON IL TONNO EH POMIDORO DI LA NONNA (GRANMOTHER’S TOMATO BASED TUNA & PASTA)
