"How lucky we are to have something that makes saying goodbye so hard."

This is the obscure Winnie the Pooh quote with which popular gay bar Statler's chose to bid farewell to the Church Wellesley community, posted to their Facebook page on the night of January 2, 2019.

Other than that, and changing their Facebook Page's photo to a "Sorry, We’re Closed" sign, there was no official announcement of the bar's closure. The space, which also encompassed a loft area, was popular for live entertainment, including musical theatre open mics and piano nights.

Battles between new landlords and the bar were cited as the reason for closing by a source who worked at Statler's but wishes to remain anonymous.

Apparently, the new landlords were attempting to charge Statler's an extra $3000 a month for a "community area maintenance fee," and even tried to get a year's worth of back pay for these fees from the business. 

Having lost so much money in legal fees after months of fighting, three of the owners and the general manager are said to have decided the bar would shut down on January 1, 2019, only informing the rest of the staff on New Year’s Eve.

Predicting Statler's wouldn't be able to get through the winter, the former employee says they wanted to get out with enough to cover bills and paycheques. The source says they've been given their final pay and then some in lieu of notice, but not the full amount owed.

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Another Toronto live music venue is gone. Thank you for the memories, @statlers.

A post shared by Ori Dagan (@oridaganjazz) on Jan 2, 2019 at 6:05pm PST

As for the talented patrons of Statler's, they’ll miss the place where they cut their teeth as performers.

It might not be the lush green walls of the Park Royal in Singapore, or Sydney's One Central Park, but Toronto's newest vertical garden is still an addition worth celebrating. 

Still in seedling phase, the living wall gracing the back of the near-complete Bathurst College Centre is Toronto's first vertical garden to grace an outdoor facade of this size. 

Sectioned off in a series of perforated metal sheets, the plants don't extend as high as the building's four storeys.

Seedlings have been planted in the sections of perforated metal sheets.

It does run along the entire back portion of the 146,627 square-foot retail project, making for what will (hopefully) be a greened-out nature walk down College Place, the laneway behind the homes on Markham Street. 

It'll also be a nice reprieve for employees and shoppers of the soon-to-be Winners, Basil Box, Colaba Junction, a massive FreshCo supermarket, as well as the University Health Network offices on the third floor.

You can check out the budding garden by heading behind the centre at 410-444 Bathurst Street.

Toronto has lost yet another staple Coffee Time. 

Though the dying coffee chain has been singing its swan song for what feels like forever, regulars of the 25-year-old location at Coxwell and Gerrard are lamenting its closing this past Wednesday. 

While not quite as famous as the now-closed store at Dupont and Lansdowne, this corner spot in the heart of Little India was actually open for much longer and held some significance to local Coxwellians. 

It was even the subject of a documentary made four years ago by film company Made By Other People as part of a series on Gerrard Street East.

According to a Facebook post from the film's director, Kire Paputts, the franchise's lease had ended and the rent had gone up by 40 per cent.

"I'd never seen the place so busy as the regulars said their goodbyes," wrote Paputts, who stopped by the store on its last day. 

"Even non-regulars were surprised at the news of it closing. Much of the conversation revolved around where people were going to be able to get a cheap cup of coffee in the community."

To the folks who sit all day in the Coffee Time at Coxwell and Gerrard: I get it. I'm one of you. Biding my time. Taking a long look.

— Greg Kearney (@GregKearney2) August 4, 2015

Though Toronto's love-hate relationship with the Scarborough-based coffee chain will likely be its legacy, the fact remains that Coffee Time is one of the few affordable coffee houses where people can sit for hours on end with a $2 brew.

For now, its unclear what the will become of the corner property (or the people who often frequented it) now that its's closed.

Will a makeshift coffee shop take its place to hold over our need for caffeine? Or will it be one of the chosen few to transform into a cannabis dispensary?

Whatever it becomes, we all know a Coffee Time closure is the Toronto harbinger of gentrification. Expensive coffee soon come.

Sundays are meant for maxin' and relaxing, but if you feel like going out, events in Toronto today have waffles, beer, movies and music on. You can cheer on Scarborough's own Stephan James at a Golden Globes party and Casa Loma's winter wonderland wraps up for another year.

Free events in Toronto this week mean your wallet can rest easy because there's lots of stuff happening that won't cost you a dime. If you see pants-less people riding the subway, don't be alarmed: the No Pants Subway Ride is back alongside films and another round of icy grooves.

Toronto Home sales are now at the lowest point they've been in a decade—not surprising given how few affordable residences there are in the market. If you've got a starter budget of $3 million, however, you should be able to afford a detached home that's more than satisfactory.

This is what a $3 million house looks like in Toronto vs other cities.

Toronto - $,2999,000 CAD

Built just in 2018, this sleek abode offers five bedrooms in a cul-de-sac near Royal York.  The end of this road also leads to a green trail running along Mimico Creek, for the nature lovers.

Vancouver - $2,988,888 CAD 

This brand new four bedroom in Kitsilano comes with several earthquake resistant features, which should put your mind at ease in this coastal city. Plus, the interior is decked out in top of the line appliances.

Calgary - $2,995,000 CAD

Sitting in the affluent Britannia neighbourhood, this five bedroom sprawling home comes decked out with features ideal for entertaining guests, from the outdoor pizza oven to the wine cellar. 

Ottawa - $2,950,000 CAD

This picturesque four bedroom home embodies the elegance and class of the prestigious Rockcliffe Park area. Moving here means living in the same area as several Ottawa notables (former PMs included). 

Los Angeles, California - $2,982,519 CAD

This cozy bungalow has four bedrooms and sits in the highly residential area of Miracle Mile, just steps from the famous Museum Row. It comes decked out with a fire pit and an in-ground pool. 

Seattle, Washington - $2,895,585 CAD

Basically sitting right on Wolf Bay, this multi-tiered home comes with five bedrooms. Plus its deck offers amazing views of the mountains and across Lake Washington. 

Saint-Estèphe, France - $2,999,432 CAD

Forget the boring detached home and just live in a French castle instead. This 19th century château covers 89 acres of land, with outbuildings included. Maintenance costs will probably double the price, but why opt for a bungalow when you can buy this stone beauty? 

Mallorca, Spain - $2,971,999 CAD

This private villa is a sprawling piece of paradise with a grape-covered terrace and massive outdoor pool. It's located in the outskirts of Puigpunyent  village, which sits in the beautiful mountain range Serra de Traumuntana.

Less than two months after opening a second location, Luna Cafe has been booted out of its original space.

In a Facebook post, Luna made no bones about it that this is thanks to a classic greedy Toronto landlord. They already pay above market value rent, but apparently landlord Alvaro d’Antonio is searching for a tenant willing to pay more. 

Luna believes d’Antonio feel he can do this based on the reputation the restaurant brought to the increasingly popular area. 

“We do not give our blessings to any new business coming in and scooping our reputation and customers,” the post reads. “Again we are very sad to have to leave our Luna home.”

It’s far from one of the biggest flops in Toronto’s recent restaurant history, though the transition from 2018 to 2019 has seen the closure of a few heavyweights like Los Colibris, Lbs. and Parts & Labour.

They’ll be hosting a farewell party for their last night of service on Sunday, January 20. They’ll be continuing dinner service and expanding their brunch menu at their new spot not far away at 2800 Dundas Street West.

After nearly a decade of operating in Chinatown, a health clinic has been evicted from their building as part of what business owners describe as ongoing gentrification in the area.

Six Degrees—a wellness clinic offering affordable services like acupuncture and counselling from practitioners including members of the queer and trans community—was recently evicted from the main floor of 204 Spadina Ave. 

"We were surprised to learn that our current location will be a part of the landscape of gentrification in Chinatown," said a sign taped to the door of the building in December. 

"We went through many feelings: shock, sadness, disbelief." 

According to co-owner Lamia Gibson, the old building had been undergoing renovations since March 2018.

Gibson says they were were assured the construction would only last two months, and that the clinic could continue to operate during the installation of air conditioning and heating systems.

"The work was really loud and it was poorly managed, and so it was hard to find time to do work," says Gibson.

But by September, they were informed by the landlords that the building would need more work done.

"So they told us, 'You're just going to have to move out.'"

They weren't offered the option of moving back in to the space after construction was completed, so were forced to find an alternative location that could accommodate their accessibility needs while making services affordable.

"We made every effort to stay in Chinatown, but the commercial rental rates have gone up by three times the amount since we moved in," said the sign. "And it was impossible to afford a space in the neighbourhood that was either ground level or had an elevator."

The business has since re-opened in a significantly smaller space at Dundas and Dufferin, where Gibson says they're now paying less than the $8,000 a month they were paying in Chinatown. 

"It was sad to leave, we loved the building and it was just beautiful," says Gibson. "That gentrification that we've been seeing happen, is happening." 

By this summer, it should be stacks on stacks on stacks for one long-vacant plot of city-owned land.

Stackt will transform the previously useless 2.6-acre plot of land at Front and Bathurst into a modular shipping container market housing roughly 30 different businesses in about 120 containers, including restaurants, bars and stores.

More than one business can even operate out of the same container: spaces range from 140 to 1800 square feet. Fifteen per cent of the space is mandated by the city to be used for community projects, like a greenhouse and vertical garden. 

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A post shared by stackt (@stacktmarket) on Nov 10, 2018 at 3:32pm PST

If you're displeased with the look of the new chunky slate-coloured containers, not to worry: there are plans to make the containers as vibrant as those of Market 707 by commissioning artists to decorate them.

Whether you're jazzed on the idea or not, it's not a long-term prospect.

Stackt has a two-year lease on the land, which is part of the reason behind creating a concept that's easy to tear down. Once the lease is up, they'll likely remove the market to make way for a spectacular new park.

Stackt is set to open at 28 Bathurst as soon as late March.

Knitting has never been easier to take up in Toronto with lots of spots dedicated to the sale and crafting of yarn. It's a hobby that’s proven to be good for your mental health, plus no matter what, when you're done you get something cozy. 

Here are my picks for places to learn to knit in Toronto. 

Knit-O-Matic

This place near Bathurst and St. Clair offers knitting classes designed to produce specific items, like hats, socks and mittens. They even offer private classes for up to two people.

The Knit Cafe

Once located on Queen West, the new Roncesvalles home of this cozy cafe centred around all things knitting offers regular classes for absolute beginners to advanced knitters. You can get all the materials you need there, and they offer other classes in subjects like crocheting and felting too.

Ewe Knit

Classes designed to tackle ambitious projects like two-colour scarves, travelling cable fingerless gloves, and cardigans can be sought out at this Bloorcourt shop.

The Purple Purl

101 classes and courses in cable knitting, brioche knitting, and even skills like how to photograph your knitting are offered at this Leslieville place.

Yarns Untangled

There's a huge variety of knitting classes available to take at this Kensington shop, from everything as basic as learning how to get started, to fixing mistakes, to more advanced techniques like steeking and colourwork.

Passionknit

A good range of basic classes are offered at this boutique near Yonge and Lawrence, including introductions to basic, cable, and brioche knitting, and they do classes for kids too.

Sew Knit

There's a free Monday afternoon club in the lounge at this place in East York that specializes in selling knitting machines. Master knitter? Help out by volunteering as a teacher.

Michaels

Any good crafter worth her salt knows this big brand store with multiple locations in Toronto offers a range of classes, with a knitting class usually found regularly on the schedule.

Romni Wools 

This West Queen West wool emporium may not always offer the most basic beginner classes, but if you want to get your hands dirty learning skills like dyeing, there's always something cool to take part in here.

Toronto Public Library 

Odds are there's a branch of the library near you that offers a regular, casual knitting class.

Events in Toronto this week are havin' a time, as they say, with dance parties, film, theatre and music. A$AP Rocky is dropping by and The Next Stage theatre festival kicks off. There's a paper party and a new festival dedicated to cult flicks. Plus, lots of free stuff, as well!

Internet providers in Toronto go far beyond Rogers and Bell. As it turns out, there's a wealth of smaller service providers that will let you surf the web for endless hours at prices that won't break the bank.

Here are my picks for the top alternative internet service providers in Toronto.

TekSavvy

A favourite of nerds across Ontario, TekSavvy offers a healthy mix of over a dozen cable, DSL and Sky Fi plans, backed up by pleasant customer service. Monthly plans starts as low as $24.95.

Carry Telecom

This ISP offers high quality internet services throughout Ontario and Quebec. They offer both cable and FTTN connections and plans range from $34.99 monthly to $59.99 monthly.

Acanac

One of the largest independent Internet service providers in Ontario and Quebec, Acanac offers new customers some great deals. They offer high speed DSL and cable internet packages staring as low as $29 a month.

Start

This internet service provider offers cable, ADSL, and VSDL connections. Packages start as low as $40 a month and before signing up you can visit their website to discover which type of connections are available in your neighbourhood.

VMedia

This Toronto-based media company makes Android-based TV its bread and butter, offering set-top video boxes that mix TV channels with access to extra internet-delivered content. They're also an ISP, offering DSL and cable plans for as low as $19.95 a month.

GTA Telecom

This company provides internet and home phone services all over Ontario. On the net side of things, all of their packages feature unlimited bandwidth and they start at $29.95.

Beanfield Metroconnect

Choose from three unlimited fibre internet packages. The cheapest of the bunch comprises of 250Mbps for $50 with the option to add WiFi for $8 extra a month or a one time fee of $100. On the other end of spectrum there's the 1Gbps package for $100 a month.

Xinflix

Cable internet, high speed DSL internet and regular DSL packages are all available from ISP Xinflix. All packages include unlimited usage and range from $29.95 a month to $89.95 a month.

Primus

One of the largest alternative telecoms in Canada, Primus offers a variety of wireless services in addition to a handful of DSL packages. This service is great for heavy users, as unlimited Internet packages start from $39.95 a month.

Since Rogers and Bell own a lot of the telecommunications infrastructure, many of the above companies are third-party carriers, re-selling internet services they purchase at a wholesale rate.

Have you ever been through the frustration of trying to get a bank machine to accept your bill, and it just won't? 

The frustration was real in 2011 when Canada introduced the new polymer bank notes, and basically no machine would accept them. 

Now, the problem is happening again, as manufacturers rush to upgrade machines for the new portrait-oriented $10 bill, which features civil rights pioneer Viola Desmond. 

Many money machines, like ATMs and Presto readers need upgrades to identify and accept the new bill, due to its new image and orientation. 

Most businesses are working to upgrade machines to accept the new banknote, but there's still a chance you may run into one that doesn't quite yet. 

Anne Marie Aikens, a spokesperon for Metrolinx, told the Toronto Star that most of the Presto machines have been upgraded, but that it takes time to get to everything.

There's a chance many have not even come into contact with the new note, however, as they gradually make their way into wallets everywhere. 

Maybe carry an old $10 bill around, just in case.

Winter is here with a vengeance as we meander our way through the beginning of a cold 2019. 

Environment Canada has issued a special weather statement for the city as ice pellets and freezing rain get ready to sweep the area. 

The precipitation is expected to hit this afternoon and get worse throughout the evening. 

Make sure you're careful on that commute home. Freezing rain can cause slippery conditions and ice pellets raining from the sky? You don't need me to tell you how much that can hurt. 

This week on DineSafe we discover a bunch of chain restaurants are starting the year off with conditional passes from Toronto health inspectors. Popeyes, Jugo Juice and Pizzaville were all yellow-carded last week.

See which other local spots got busted by city health inspectors this week on DineSafe.

Popeyes (1955 Queen St. East)

• Inspected on: December 31, 2018
• Inspection finding: Yellow (Conditional)
• Number of infractions: 5 (Minor: 1, Significant: 3, Crucial: 1)
• Crucial infractions include: Stored potentially hazardous foods at internal temperature between 4°C and 60°C.

St. Louis Bar & Grill (313 Bremner Blvd.)

• Inspected on: January 2, 2019
• Inspection finding: Yellow (Conditional)
• Number of infractions: 2 (Minor: 1, Significant: 1)
• Crucial infractions include: N/A

Station Cafe (866 Bloor St. West)

• Inspected on: January 2, 2018
• Inspection finding: Yellow (Conditional)
• Number of infractions: 2 (Minor: 1, Significant: 1)
• Crucial infractions include: N/A

Sultan of Samosas (1 Oak St.)

• Inspected on: January 2, 2019
• Inspection finding: Yellow (Conditional)
• Number of infractions: 3 (Minor: 1, Significant: 2)
• Crucial infractions include: N/A

Bryan's BBQ (606 Bloor St. West)

• Inspected on: January 3, 2019
• Inspection finding: Yellow (Conditional)
• Number of infractions: 6 (Minor: 1, Significant: 2, Crucial: 3)
• Crucial infractions include: Refrigerated potentially hazardous foods at internal temperature above 4°C, hot-holding potentially hazardous foods at internal temperature below 60°C and failed to protect food from contamination or adulteration.

The Gabardine (372 Bay St.)

• Inspected on: January 3, 2019
• Inspection finding: Yellow (Conditional)
• Number of infractions: 2 (Minor: 1, Significant: 1)
• Crucial infractions include: N/A

Jugo Juice (333 Bay St.)

• Inspected on: January 3, 2018
• Inspection finding: Yellow (Conditional)
• Number of infractions: 3 (Minor: 1, Significant: 2)
• Crucial infractions include: N/A

Kandahar Kabab (45 Overlea Blvd.)

• Inspected on: January 3, 2018
• Inspection finding: Yellow (Conditional)
• Number of infractions: 7 (Minor: 2, Significant: 5)
• Crucial infractions include: N/A

Lakeview Restaurant (1132 Dundas St. West)

• Inspected on: January 3, 2019
• Inspection finding: Yellow (Conditional)
• Number of infractions: 4 (Minor: 2, Significant: 1, Crucial: 1)
• Crucial infractions include: Maintained potentially hazardous foods at internal temperature between 4°C and 60°C.

Pizzaville (171 East Liberty St.)

• Inspected on: January 4, 2018
• Inspection finding: Yellow (Conditional)
• Number of infractions: 1 (Significant: 1)
• Crucial infractions include: N/A

Note: The above businesses each received infractions from DineSafe as originally reported on the DineSafe site. This does not imply that any of these businesses have not subsequently corrected the issue and received a passing grade by DineSafe inspectors. For the latest status for each of the mentioned businesses, including details on any subsequent inspections, please be sure to check the DineSafe site.

If you, like most young working-class Torontonians, are already struggling to keep up with the demands of simply existing in Canada's most expensive city, prepare to be gobsmacked.

The average annual rent for an apartment or condo in downtown Toronto is expected to increase by as much as 11 per cent over the next year, according to a panel of 16 housing experts surveyed by rentals.ca.

Professional economists, data analysts, university professors, politicians, property managers and affordable housing advocates from across the country all agree that "finding the right apartment, house or townhouse to call home will continue to challenge renters in 2019," especially in Toronto, and especially for those who don't already live in a rent controlled place.

If you're looking for a more affordable place to live this year, try Montreal or Edmonton. Image via rentals.ca.

Nationally, rents are predicted to rise about 6 per cent by the end of 2019, with Vancouver and Ottawa showing increases of 7 and 9 per cent respectively.

Toronto's number is expected to be higher, however, thanks to an insufficient number of rental units and the reluctance of anyone to move those from units that do already exist (for fear of their rent jumping up hundreds, if not thousands of dollars per month).

Variables such as immigration, job growth and stricter mortgage qualification rules are similarly driving up demand and, thus, prices.

"With increasing rents and declining credit availability for mortgages, residents are likely to stay put," said Ben Myers, president of the real estate advisory firm Bullpen Research & Consulting, in the rentals.ca report. "With expanded rent control implemented in 2017, tenants are incentivized to stay in their current home."

Residential rental rates in Toronto could rise at 2x the national average in 2019, https://t.co/LEZBgsyda1 / Bullpen report predicts. Ottawa, Vancouver also forecast above 6% national average. https://t.co/QsjyKn1Ld4#GTA#CRE#RealEstate#OttNews#YVRpic.twitter.com/DMWsDprq52

— RENX (@RENXca) January 4, 2019

Toronto has the lowest rental turnover rate in Canada, if not the lowest in North America, says Myers, at just 11 per cent.

"Many young couples and families have decided to postpone purchasing a home, which has driven two-bedroom rental rates to nearly $2,600 a month in Toronto," says Myers, noting that it's now "more expensive to own" than rent for residents of the city.

Acclaimed urban studies theorist and U of T professor Dr. Richard Florida also cites supply as one of the driving factors behind Toronto's skyrocketing rent prices.

"When new students or researchers come to the University of Toronto, they tell me the same thing: They have to endure an auction where people actively bid on apartments," he said. "I've never seen anything like it anywhere else in North America."

Toronto's Rental Nightmare ...https://t.co/iy5xt5x4MC

— Richard Florida (@Richard_Florida) November 26, 2018

The City of Toronto is currently working on a 10-year plan to address the shortage of rental units as demand continues to increase.

Mayor John Tory wants to add some 40,000 units to the market over the next 12 years, according to Affordable Housing Development manager Valesa Faria, with 3,300 or more coming available per year starting in 2020.

For now, though, we can expect to see an increase in what experts call "renovictions"—where landlords upgrade their properties to target luxury tenants and hike the rent rates far beyond what those who currently live in the units can afford.

"As fewer units are turned over, there is less supply, and rental rates increase further," says Meyers.

"The dynamic is shifting away from 'bubbly' house prices to 'bubbly' rental rates."

The best new bakeries in Toronto are serving hot trays of sweets and breads straight out of the oven. Recent arrivals include spots that make delectable dipped donuts, epic smashed cookies, and cheesy Middle Eastern kunafa soaked in syrup. Prepare your tastebuds for a ride to Sweetville.

Here are the best new bakeries in Toronto.

Major delays are affecting commuters in and around the City of Toronto right now as emergency crews work to remove a fire-damaged locomotive from train tracks near the Distillery District.

GO Transit announced shortly before 10:30 a.m. that a westbound train from Oshawa was holding east of Union Station due to reports of "smoke or steam" coming from an engine.

GO Train on fire near Distillery. Electrical stink in the air. pic.twitter.com/pSJswSTYMD

— David M (@FishBelowTheIce) January 7, 2019

Passengers were evacuated from the coach near that engine and moved further down the train, according to Metrolinx. No injuries were reported.

A GO Train was on fire in #Toronto earlier today https://t.co/EgkEmBPyHx - Video by Ali Al Astarabadi pic.twitter.com/BIGUitgflZ

— blogTO (@blogTO) January 7, 2019

Police, firefighters and transit safety officers arrived very quickly to the Don Yards, where the train was being held, says Metrolinx Spokesperson Anne Marie Aikins.

Emergency personnel got there very quickly. And are awesome https://t.co/GQP550GV21

— Anne Marie Aikins (@femwriter) January 7, 2019

Still, hundreds of people were incredibly late to wherever they were headed, along with anyone on trains behind them who didn't take the TTC up on its offer to temporarily accept GO fare media at Danforth, Kennedy and Scarborough Town Centre Stations.

2.5hours of commute and counting.. but I can see the CN tower! #gotrainfire#lunchtime#timetogohome

— Janice Lau-Pearson (@laupearson) January 7, 2019

All trains on all routes east of Toronto were held up until just before noon, according to Metrolinx, and passengers who were inconvenienced are being told to contact the agency.

Morning Jenn. So sorry about this. Please put in for the Service Guarantee at https://t.co/a9gIRd4WZE. ^NF

— GO Transit (@GOtransit) January 7, 2019

Fortunately, Toronto Fire is now allowing trains to pass through the area, though GO still asks passengers to "please be patient as service will take some time to return to normal."

Once upon at time, Toronto's streetcar system was powered entirely by horses.

It wasn't until 1892—30 years after "horsecar" service started—that electric streetcars even existed in the city. But you'd be forgiven for not knowing that, as only one such horse-drawn streetcar still remains intact, and it hasn't been seen by the public in this city since 1967.

Local transit historian Trevor Parkins-Sciberras wants to change this, but it's not as easy as pulling the vehicle out from a warehouse and setting it up at the CNE.

Perhaps flagging down a streetcar that doesn't stop would be easier with horses in charge. Image via City of Toronto archives.

"After being hidden in storage for almost 50 years, Toronto's last horse-drawn streetcar is back on display at the Canada Science and Technology Museum in Ottawa," he says of the horsecar, which the TTC donated as a historic relic in 1968.

"It has never returned home to Toronto since."

Horsecar #16, as it's called, was built by the Stephenson Coach Company in 1874. It was used on the streets of Toronto to transport humans until around 1893, after which point all horse-drawn vehicles were either converted to electric streetcars, phased out of service or turned into trailers.

Freelance historian Trevor Parkins-Sciberras visited horsecar #16 while it was still in storage with his own Lego model of the coach. Image via Trevor Parkins-Sciberras.

"I have been touring Toronto and teaching the TTC's history in the hopes of sparking an interest to bring this forgotten relic home," says Parkins-Sciberras, who himself has published a long and quite interesting account of the horsecar's history.

"I've been to schools, retirement homes, and museums giving history presentations using my Lego streetcars," he says. 

The interior of Toronto's last remaining horse-drawn streetcar, which was built in 1874. Photo by Trevor Parkins-Sciberras.

The goal is to generate enough interest in TTC history to bring every donated piece of equipment back and open an official Toronto Transit Museum by 2021. More than 300 locals have already signed a petition in support of the proposed museum.

For now, those who are interested in checking out Toronto's last remaining horsecar can hoof it over to Ottawa, where it will be on display until March as part of the Canada Science and Technology Museum's "Moving Stories" exhibit.

Steam Whistle may be a homegrown brew, but soon you'll be able to drink it in a German-style beer garden. 

Toronto's most famous pilsner brand will be opening up a permanent beer garden—aptly named Bier Garten—early this spring. 

Taking over the brewery's old bottling area at the Roundhouse, this indoor 2,500-square-foot space will fit 100 guests, with a potential 50-person patio outside for those summer days.

Like all German food halls, you can expect European-style eats like sausages, schnitzels, pork hocks, and fried potatoes, along with a vegan menu to go along with your brew.

According to Josh Hillinger, Steam Whistle's Onsite Experience Manager, you'll be able to order your eats from a 20-foot shipping container inside the hall.

As for drinks, there'll be a limited beer menu consisting of Steam Whistle's pilsner and the Munich Lager from their spin-off brand Von Bugle, both filtered and unfiltered.

And if you're not a beer fan, Bier Garten will also be serving some cocktails and Bavarian riesling wines.