Telegramme Prints and Custom Framing is already a thriving business on Queen St East, and now they are expanding to the west end. In addition to signed, numbered, limited edition and otherwise hard to get prints and posters from all over, they’ll be providing all custom framing services at 194 Ossington. That includes competitively priced conservation framing of prints, posters and photographs, canvas stretching, plak mounting and laminating, and unusual wildcard custom framing work. If you click the link above to their website, you’ll see the extensive services that will be available.

First we have Te Aro Coffee, which is already serving the coffee-mad masses in Leslieville. Both the Facebook account and the Twitter feed for Te Aro have revealed a new location will be open on Ossington in July, and there are hints it will be in the space once home to Get Real Cafe.

Next, Tasteto revealed today that Goed Eten, formerly of Kensington Market, is taking over the lease once belonging to Semolina Bakery. Now, if they serve the waffles and frites as advertised, Goed Eten will be brilliant if they stay open beyond 5pm on weekdays, and if they are open after midnight on weekends, they’ll pack em in!

Founded by Lauren Baker in 2009, LAB Consignment is a new consignment service specializing in the resale of chic, gently used, designer and vintage ladies clothing, shoes and handbags. Her current collection is available for sale online and in the new location in the rear of Silver Falls Vintage, 15 Ossington Ave. LAB sells such designers as D&G, YSL, A.P.C., J BRAND, Earnest Sewn, Milli, Helmut Lang, Topshop, Walter Steiger, Christian Dior, Marc Jacobs, Banana Republic, Club Monaco, Givenchy, Kors, Betsey Johnson, and lots of different vintage designers.

We are not the first to tell you about this new venture! There was a lot of buzz after the opening party a couple of weeks ago, which was DJ-ed by k-os. (k-os has been to Ossington). However, we do have some insider info on  to make the best of your consigning experience at LAB from Lauren herself:

Seasonal items should be consigned within these months: 

SPRING – FEB TO APRIL

SUMMER – MAY TO JULY

FALL – AUGUST TO OCTOBER

WINTER – NOVEMBER TO JANUARY

This is what we’re looking for:

• Gently used designer and vintage nicer ladies clothing, shoes, and handbags.
• Canadian independent designers to be featured in store

Items I am NOT looking for:

• A pink GAP t-shirt from 2006 aka plain boring staples
• Items with holes, stains, or major wear marks
• Anything non-designer H&M (I will take Stella McCartney for H&M eg), Forever 21, Abercrombie, American Eagle, Stitches, Urban Behaviour, Preloved, Le Chateau (unless it’s circa 1980-90), most mall stores
• Ironic t-shirts – unless they’re amazing
• Flip-flops

So, bring her your summer stuff now, but don’t try to pass off those smelly flip-flops you bought at Old Navy 2 summers ago. Wrong in so many ways!

It was one year ago that Joe Pantalone, our current mayoral candidate, annoyed me so much by blocking new restaurant openings on Ossington without consultation from the neighbours that I went home and started writing.

90 Posts later we are still going – and an example of Hyper-local blogging.

A lot has happened this year on Ossington.

• The opening of Bohmer, Paramour and Union restaurants.
• The launch of City Store, Crepes & More & Our House.
• Evan Bidell, of Project Runway Canada fame, showed his wares in the location next to Reposado.
• Angell Gallery moved up from Queen Street.
• There were the closings of Bar au Soup, Get Real, Rolly’s Garage and the final demise of the never-opened The Saint.
• Pizzeria Libretto not only got certified by VPN, but also got named by En Route Magazine as a Best restaurant of 2008

We launched our Twitter account only 2 months ago and are keeping the neighbourhood up to date with our shorter updates. Follow us on Twitter here.

We thought we’d celebrate with a new look! The fantastic graphic design of Ananuku Kolar and Better Art Design & Direction put together our first logo, and I spent a beautiful May afternoon in the backyard putting together a new format for the blog. It will continue to evolve and grow as will the neighbourhood.

We’ve had a great time getting to know all our neighbours in Ossington Village and hearing from you our readers. We appreciate everyone who commented and sent us feedback – even if we disagreed.

We love the way this neighbourhood keeps changing and love documenting the evolution of Ossington Village. Keep commenting, sending us feedback, story ideas, and other happenings in the area.

While not very different from the other markets on Dundas near Ossington, one thing that sets it apart is the selection of Clafouti croissants for $1.99. Yes, Clafouti croissants. And they had a few left at 11:15 on a Saturday. They even sell the fig!

Also open is Crepes and More, at 164 Ossington. The”More” part of the name is no joke! They serve soup, pasta, assorted sandwiches and baked goods too. Someone commented that they found the prices expensive, but the crepes start at $5.95 which seems reasonable to me.

There are seats in the cafe to eat in, or you can take-out. Daylight hours only.

Brian and I stopped in for a few drinks last weekend. The fact they haven’t officially opened probably explains the limited beer and wine lists. We were there before the evening rush, so it was pretty empty, but the staff was very friendly. It is a pretty big space, with a bar in the front and one in the back (which wasn’t open when we were there). I got the idea they will be bringing in DJs. The front of the house by the windows is set up with some cushions and pillows, a nice chillin’ space.

The food menu looks really creative and fun. Lots of paninis (including banana and nutella!) and some retro desserts including a surprise box which included Nerds when we were there! Try it out and give us, and OURHOUSE, your feedback!

Here’s a quote from Jackie of OURHOUSE to give you an idea of the vibe they are trying to create:

OURHOUSE is modelled after the idea of having friends over  to a
great apartment. The soundtrack at OURHOUSE is on par with the ‘feel
good’ ambience and emanates the best of the 80′s, 90′s and early
2000′s, just with less Britney and more Tears for Fears.

Update: Walking by today we noticed a sign that says it will open this upcoming Tuesday. There are also hours posted in the window. It’s for early risers with weekday openings at 7am. They will also be serving Ideal Coffee, according to a sticker in the window.

It looks like the empty space which once housed Le Bar au Soupe will not be empty much longer. In fact, there is a big “Opening Soon” sign for the new cafe, called Crepes and More. It looks redesigned inside, with a coffee bar and tables and chairs and could be a unique addition to our neighborhood that would fill a void for convenient, “fast” food.

 According to recent reports, Paul Boehmer’s long-awaited restaurant at 95 Ossington is set to have a grand-opening party tomorrow night. Doors should be open to the public this Saturday.

We can’t wait to see and taste the results!