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5 foods you can have delivered by bike in Toronto

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Lillys LunchesDo you take pleasure in other people doing things for you when you're feeling tired or lazy? Do you often bemoan the fact that you can't just have an ice cream sandwich delivered to your door in the middle of a heatwave? I've got good news for you, then. In Toronto, you can have everything from your lunch to your grocery order delivered straight to your door by bike.

Here, five foods you can get delivered to your door on two wheels.

Turkey sandwich with all the fixins
Lilly's Lunches delivers homemade lunches to picnics and private events. A sample of the items on her menu is listed on her site, and pricing depends on the customized menu she works out with the client. She delivers between Bloor and Front from Bathurst to Yonge, and only during the warmer months.

Backyard potato salad and slowcooked ribs
Vert Catering prides itself on being a zero-waste caterer. They deliver nutritious sandwiches and salads by a custom bike called the Pickle Cycle. They've got meat and fish options as well as vegetarian, and it's only $8.50 to have your lunch delivered, delivery fee included. They deliver year-round in the downtown area.

Smoked meat sandwiches
Nowhere to get a good sandwich near your office? Need a smoked meat fix? Caplansky's will get your stomach's affairs in order by cycling one of their notorious sandwiches to your desk. They deliver all year round, in the area between Dupont to King between Ossington and University. Delivery is only $5, but that's contingent upon an order that adds up to at least $20.

Gelato
Be Good Gelato sells gelato sandwiches ($5) and scoops ($4) from a bike with a freezer attached to the front. You can place special orders within the bounds of Bloor, Front, Pape and Bathurst, and it's a $30 minimum to place an order. The gelato is fresh and made from scratch, with flavours like cherry and mocha, alongside the regular flavours like chocolate and vanilla. You can check out Be Good on Twitter to find where they'll be set up next.

Fresh vegetables from a local farmers' market
Featherstone Two Wheels Green Delivery delivers local produce to consumers and small businesses who care about where their food comes from. They can pick up your order at either Riverdale, Trinity Bellwoods or the Green Barns Farmer's Market and deliver within the bounds of both downtown and midtown, and they're so dedicated that they deliver in winter, too. Delivery charges will run you about $2 to $2.50 per kilometer, but the minimum fee is $10.

Photo by Shawn Caza from Lilly's Lunches Facebook page.


Condo of the Week: 43 Hanna Avenue

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Toy Factory Lofts TorontoLiberty Village was once a heavily industrialized area and as factories moved out, condo developers moved in. It's probably one of the first places people in the city think of when they want to find a loft or dream of the day they can afford one. The Irwin Toy Factory actually occupied 43 Hanna Avenue in what is now known as the Toy Factory Lofts until 2003 and the area has grown steadily in the years since.

This particular two-bedroom unit is on the larger size with just over 1300 square feet of living space, floor to ceiling windows and a total of six Juliet balconies. True to definition, this hard loft also has beautifully restored wood ceilings and exposed brick walls while the bedrooms are both a great size with wall-to-wall closets and the master bedroom has a ensuite.

Toy Factory Lofts TorontoSPECS:

  • Address: 219-43 Hanna Avenue
  • Price: $749,000
  • Sq Ft: 1315
  • Bedrooms: 2
  • Bathrooms: 2
  • Parking: 1 underground (fits 2 cars tandem)
  • Maintenance: $444.16/month

Toy Factory Lofts TorontoNOTABLE FEATURES:

  • 10ft ceilings
  • Granite countertops
  • Juliet balconies
  • Hardwood flooring throughout

Toy Factory Lofts TorontoGOOD FOR:

This could be a great space for a young family. Parks, schools and transit are all within a short distance and dual incomes could potentially make this affordable. This would also be a great space for a young professional who may, or may not, be willing to take on a roommate. Not only is this a great entertaining space, but everything you need is a walk away - groceries, the gym and Williams Landing, just to name a few.

Toy Factory Lofts TorontoMOVE ON IF:

Living in an area rife with condos and condo development isn't your idea of paradise.

ADDITIONAL PHOTOS

toy factory lofts torontotoy factory lofts torontotoy factory lofts torontoToy Factory Lofts TorontoToy Factory Lofts TorontoRead other posts in this series via our Toronto Condos and Lofts Pinterest board.

Rideshares to and from Toronto

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Rideshare to TorontoRideshares to and from Toronto, in my view, leave us with the most interesting narratives from our travels. Buses are cramped, they take about a bazillion seemingly extraneous stops along the way, and your neighbour will generally drool on your shoulder as opposed to making friends. Driving alone is often boring, and doesn't score very high when it comes to being ecological or economical. And I'm just going to assume most are familiar with the antics of Air Canada, and not get into that one. Ride shares, then, are clearly a good option, especially for the traveler on a budget.

I used to be terrified of this form of transport, because I was obviously concerned I'd be kidnapped and viciously murdered. But, I finally mustered the courage to take my first rideshare a few years ago, when I was an especially poor university student. I found a drive to Montreal for $20 each way, and it was the only way I could afford to make it to my best friend's birthday party. So, off I went. Since then, some of the most interesting people I've ever come across have been in rideshares. They've given me countless tidbits of inspiration, story ideas and life lessons. Before I selected my first rideshare, though, and through the years since then, I've kept a few things in mind. From an experienced gallavanter in other people's shitty cars, to you, here is my lovingly-written guide to rideshares to and from Toronto.

How do I catch a rideshare?

Craigslist has a rideshare section listing all of the drives to and from the city. Kijiji has one, too. There are also sites like erideshare.com to organize shorter trips to spots like Waterloo, with usually a few scheduled for Montreal, too.

Where do they usually head to?

You can usually depend on finding a rideshare to Montreal, New York or Ottawa. There are several rideshares leaving the city for Montreal that operate every day of the week. Many times, drivers heading to Montreal will drop you off along the way if you'd like. I would check in advance for this, though. Some stop 'halfway' in Ottawa each time they go. Trips to New York are less frequent, so it's kind of hit-or-miss. I've found myself on a 12-hour Greyhound ride more than once because a drive fell through, or because I couldn't find one. If you're heading to New York and determined to do it by rideshare, I'd get to Montreal first and catch a ride from there. They can be had for $60, since it's only a short 6-hour drive.

Drives to Florida, the west coast, and the Atlantic provinces show up sometimes, too, but they're much less frequent.

What times do rideshares usually leave the city?

If you're headed to Montreal, they usually leave around 10 and around 5, though lots of random ones go at other times in the morning and afternoon, too. I find trips to New York tend to leave much earlier in the morning, and everything else is a toss-up.

And from where?

The only predictable departure points are for rides to Montreal, and those are usually at Yonge-Sheppard, Don Mills and York Mills subway stations.

What does it cost?

You can get a ride to Montreal any day of the week for $30 (seems to be close to $40 in the winter) and rides to New York for about $60 each way.

What can I expect?

The daily trips to Montreal are usually in giant white Mercedes vans that seat about 10 and rattle sketchily the entire way. The drivers are always super friendly, and the people in the car chat a little bit, and it's pleasant, but mainly everyone leaves everyone else with some personal space. These are the comfortable, universally desirable rideshares.

The crazy characters and long rambling stories that contribute a bit to who we are as people? Those happen in smaller cars with seating for five. You can expect to find yourself crammed in beside a prof from Hungary, a guitar teacher from Russia, and an engineer from Mexico. Legs akimbo, neck cramped, and no room to wield my arms, I made temporary friends with these people as we sped toward a common goal in someone else's filthy, maroon-upholstered backseat. These are the fun rideshares that teach you something if you allow them to.

Etiquette

Rideshare etiquette aligns with most other types of well-manneredness, as you can hopefully appreciate. You're a horrible person to share a car with if, for example, you bring smelly food, like a tuna fish sandwich with lots of onions, or steamed liver with garlic, settle into the car, open it up, and eat it. Also, don't bring so much luggage that other people can't fit their personal effects and/or personal pair of legs into the car. This especially applies if you're sharing a standard-sized car with five other humans. Also, don't complain about the tunes if the driver doesn't ask you. Needless to say, it's his or her car, and even though you're paying for the ride, it's still kind of a favour. Bring headphones and wear those instead, if you like, just be aware of others in the car who might be trying to get your attention.

What am I supposed to eat, then?

Drivers will generally stop at a rest stop which, predictably, will have crappy hamburgers and chips for sale and not much else. I tend to pack my own healthy snacks, little nuts and seeds, crackers and cheese, and fruit. But rest assured that if you don't want to do that, you won't have to starve. Or pee your pants.

Safety concerns

Whenever I take a rideshare by myself, I text the driver's number to a couple of people, and check in with those people throughout the trip. I also stay in touch with the person I'm meeting in the next city. I make sure to text when I arrive, too, so they know I've arrived safely.

I also always snap a photo of the driver's license plate and send it to someone. It sounds like paranoia, maybe, but, hi. Stranger danger. You never know whose car you're getting into, and that does pose a possible risk.

Photo by Benson Kua in the blogTO Flickr pool.

New Yonge St. shop stocks unique vintage finds

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Love the DesignUp until now, this interior design store has been a Leslieville staple for rough-luxe furnishings. Now that they've set up shop in Summerhill, the midtown folk can get their own taste of modern-meets-vintage.

Read my profile of the Summerhill location of Love the Design in the Design Stores section.

How Weird Canada will use $50K to rethink indie music distribution

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Weird CanadaWeird Canada, an acclaimed music blog which focuses on underground music and features only work by Canadian musicians, has witnessed a ton of huge changes since we interviewed founder Aaron Levin last year. First, the eclectic website Levin runs with his partner Marie LeBlanc Flanagan and a team of volunteers is no longer Toronto-based: Waterloo is home to the new WC headquarters, though Flanagan and Levin make the trek to Toronto often. When I interviewed them on a scorching weekend in July, they were in town promoting a Babysitter show at Izakaya Sushi House.

While the move meant Weird Canada's in-home DIY music venue Infinite Library also had to relocate, this is just a subtle change compared to many of the site's recent transformations. They've received enough government funding to hire three interns; registered Weird Canada as a non profit organization; swelled their volunteer list; updated their on-site map to include all the provinces (congratulations Manitoba); strived to become more open, inclusive, and diverse; and now publish translations of their new site content en français. Then there's the big news: earlier this year, the Weird Canada clan received a FACTOR grant for the sweet sum of $50,000 to start a distribution hub for under-the-radar Canadian albums. If hearing about Flanagan and Levin's accomplishments makes you dizzy, just imagine being this 35-objective power duo.

Articles appear each day praising the closing distance between fans and artists, but Flanagan and Levin see DIY, internet-based musicians struggling to find time to meet the demands of fans, and to reach out to record stores across Canada and the world. They've also noticed that fans of obscure Canadian music are having trouble getting albums delivered, if they can find a way to buy them at all. The blog's non-profit distribution system to remedy all of these ills in their grant proposal to FACTOR was so convincing that, to their own surprise, they got their funding.

Wanting to learn more about how the distro will work both for Toronto based fans and musicians, and for those across Canada, I met up with Flanagan and Levin to get a clearer picture of what the new website will look like, who can list there, and why this is the right idea at the right time. While it's clearly a project still in its planning stages - the site won't launch until January 1, 2014 - it looks like their ambitious plan is set to make a lot of people very happy.

GETTING THE FACTOR GRANT

Flanagan stressed what came first was a long conversation with everyone involved with the website about what direction to take the site. "We decided we wanted to encourage and document and express creative expression across Canada," she explains. As soon as the objective list was published, the accomplishments started rolling in: a win for list makers everywhere. Once their final grant application to Canadian arts granting organization FACTOR, rewritten by Flanagan countless times with the help of volunteers, was submitted, the wait began.

"I remember the night before, there was a fear, because it was such a big project. Maybe we wanted to get denied, because this is a scary, huge ambitious thing," Levin recalls. "[If we didn't get it] we wouldn't have to fail. Then when I got the email, I think I forwarded it to Marie with a note attached that said 'Omg, we're doomed.'"

"I think our feelings were excitement, then anxiety and fear, then more excitement, and then, for me at least, and I think Marie will agree, there was this weird feeling... traditionally our relationship with FACTOR, in the past - our sector of artists traditionally weren't supported by FACTOR, so when we got the grant there was a glimmer of maybe the industry is changing, it's shifting, and this is part of that shift. So as a service that has really far-reaching goals in terms of changing the shape of music distribution in Canada for independent artists and integrating that with the role of granting organizations, it was the feeling that we're on the precipice of something interesting."

Weird CanadaTHE RUNDOWN ON THE DISTRO

$50,000 seems like a ton of cash, until you take a look at the details of what Flanagan and Levin have planned — then it's no wonder they can't even buy a coffee with the grant money. The Weird Canada online distribution centre will sell individual or wholesale packages of Canadian albums to fans and to record stores world wide, from Kalamazoo to Tokyo.

"Music fans often want to order physical media from Weird Canada-esque artists and they try to order it from Bandcamp, but that requires the musician to package it well, to ship it on time, to be organized, to know where the post office is, and that's not always the case," Flanagan explains. "It's the same with a lot of small independent record labels: they're doing this after their jobs on evenings and weekends when the post office is closed. There's a real need for someone to help with that."

The distro will aim to create a central online base for fans to purchase albums, the benefit of which is that you have a trusted source, and the ability to purchase across artists and labels. "Rather than buying one Aids Wolf cassette from Montreal, a Shearing Pinx cassette from Vancouver and one Alpha Couple cassette from Winnipeg or Toronto, and having to deal with the nuances from ordering direct from each place, you can just go to the Weird Canada store and do that."

"I really feel like you've got this problem with three end points and we can solve all three at once," Flanagan adds. We can offer a box of records to record stores who wouldn't be able to order them individually. We can offer timely well packaged music, and eventually books and merch at some point, to the people who want to buy it, and take the pressure off the artist who should be out there making art."

A large part of WC's plan involves encouraging and engaging with record stores, including sending them recommendations and curated lists, potential Weird Canada sections in the store, or offering genre or geography-based packages.

One piece of very exciting news for music fans: Levin grinned when I asked if the Weird Canada distro will accept both new and old, backstock releases and divulged: "I have a line on a record dealer in Toronto who has a lot of deadstock of sealed Canadian punk LPs that we're hoping will make an appearance."

Doom TicklerHOW IT WORKS FOR MUSICIANS

While application to be in the distro will be open to all Canadian artists, artists who are wildly successful (Levin gives Feist as an example) may be told to reconsider. "The way we curate the site is rather than having exclusionary boundaries on what we'll cover, we have a set of priorities: music in a physical format; music from remote areas; music in genres that are traditionally unrepresented; music that is self-recorded and or self released... For the distro it will be similar, except much more broad. We'll be able to include so many artists that we don't right now."

Typically musicians would be the ones to reach out to Weird Canada, starting with a simple online Google form. The more info artists supply, the easier their releases will be for customers to find. Once their music is in the distro, artists will have access to a portal online to see how sales are doing or request payment at anytime.

Levin stresses building a low maintenance tool for artists and taking stress off musicians' shoulders about reaching out to record stores. "The goal is [customers] have the information they need, artists have lowest amount of barriers getting information to us, and there are as few barriers as possible for us." Ideas to address details like artist submitted images vs internally photographed physical items are still being floated around.

The added service charge will be negligible due to low cost recovery. Levin explains: "each artist determines how much they want per record and that's how much they get each time it sells". Weird Canada will then add a service charge of only about $1 or so. "We flirted with implementing percentages, but wanted to make things simple for artists." Artists will be welcome keep selling on Bandcamp and at live shows as well.

They add that the distro will complement Weird Canada, but will not be writing about bands just because they sell their music: the site will continue to focus on its priorities, with volunteer writers across the country bringing music they love to the table.

Doom TicklerWORKING THE KINKS OUT

One of my biggest questions about the system was more or less a tirade at Canada Post's absurd mailing rates for small packages. Thanks to CanPost, if a small act like Toronto's Doom Tickler wants to mail five, $5 cassette EPs to a distro within Canada, shipping will cost at least $11, maybe more, and bam, half her profit is devoured. She can't ask the distro to compensate this amount: there will be new shipping costs to the distro when an order comes through. While in some ways for a small independent artist it's not about the financial payoff, it takes a lot of work and money to put out a physical release and seeing a grand total of $1 or $2 per item can burn. I asked Flanagan and Levin what the discussion had been so far about issues like this.

"There are a lot of ways around that kind of shipping," Levin replies. "Doom Tickler, for example, wouldn't have to ship: people who are in Toronto and touring through Toronto - there are a lot of alternatives that are cheaper." Jesse Locke, Weird Canada's managing editor, is Toronto-based and has already agreed to receive packages on behalf of the Waterloo-based distro from touring bands, or musicians' traveling friends or relatives.

While to me these resourceful and optimistic plans of relying on community centers like record stores and touring bands sounds like a potentially volatile system, I've seen DIY spirit combined with tight organization pull off some equally precarious, inspiring projects: it just might work.

The other major advantage of having a centralized store is that shipping costs will be offset on multiple item/artist orders, something that's not possible if one is ordering directly from artists. Even if an artist like Doom Tickler had to charge more per item when selling in the Weird Canada distro (say $7 to compensate for shipping instead of $5, plus a $1 Weird Canada charge), fans and record stores would ultimately save money by ordering everything they want in one go.

WHAT WILL THE DISTRO LOOK LIKE?

Weird Canada are still working on hiring a designer (job alert!) to make decisions about how the distro will look for users. Flanagan attributes this in part to FACTOR itself.

"We weren't even allowed to start on the project until the first of this month, so we just signed a contract with the developer and gave him his down payment. We were allowed to do the things we did before the grant but otherwise there's a rule at FACTOR about the amount of time between your letter of intent and when you start the project, so we've just been on hold. I don't think it's bad actually as it's given us time to reflect on some things."

Levin plans a "buy" button to exist on each article on the main blog. "While that certainly does introduce some conflict of interest issues as a volunteer-run non-profit organization, I feel its value will circumvent that," Levin says. "The overall goal is to advance how people discover music on the site: giving people the opportunity to pivot several descriptors like geography, format, musical genres in a free text search; being able to provide a bridge from the discovery based part of the site to the online store. Then to mirror some of that discoverability in the store itself."

A landing page will feature selections like new music, "unpopular" (for popular items), and curated lists by site contributors or other personalities. Levin imagines a page for each release with links to where people can listen online, and the ability to filter searches based on genre, geography, record label or format: "we want it to be discoverable from user standpoint."

The partners are open to using tools like Discogs to list and sell albums, depending on how much time and resources they have to work with.

Weird CanadaWHERE WILL ALL THIS MUSIC GO?

To start, the albums will be kept in the Weird Canada offices in Waterloo, under the guidance of Flanagan. "I've already been looking into systems. I love researching, so I've been reading about how libraries did things in the past, looking into QR codes and bar codes, shelving by artist or format: I love thinking about that kind of system. It's going to overrun our offices with music, which is fine because they're already in that state."

Levin also seems to have some bibliographic instincts lodged deep within his core. "I've been looking into how even Amazon stores their stuff, or Walmart, even though we're not going to be an Amazon or a Walmart and don't agree with those companies at all, they have solved massive storage problems, so we have to do a lot of research into the most efficient way. It will come to our home and like everything we do at Weird Canada we will put a tremendous amount of effort and research into making sure it's done effectively, efficiently, and in a trusted way. We want people to come and visit us and see the distro and it not to be a chaotic ramble of unsleeved 7"s." They spoke excitedly about a trip to Numero Group's excellently organized, library style, hive of activity storage in Chicago.

Albums that don't move after years of waiting may get shipped back to the artist, or Weird Canada might ask the artist to come back for it while touring or while a friend is touring. "That's a nice thing about artists is that they are touring, hopefully a lot." Levin said. They'll also be avoiding deadstock by focusing on small amounts, and keeping track of what makes sense for each artist and genre number wise.

THE REACTION SO FAR

"Overwhelmingly positive, and a lot of surprise." Flanagan tells me. "But it's hard to tell," Levin adds, "you never hear the things people are critical about, and I think that's always something people in organizations should be cognizant about. You hear the good things and the things your friends say, but it's really hard to hear what the enemies are saying. Maybe there are a ton of people who are like "so what." It's also been clouded by the FACTOR relationship: a lot of people were excited by the fact that FACTOR was funding such a project."

They haven't formally reached out to any Toronto or Canada-wide record stores because FACTOR did not allow them to yet, but say everyone their record store outreach volunteer has talked to has expressed excitement.

Weird CanadaWANT TO BE A PART OF IT?

Weird Canada exists due to a staff of writers who are all volunteer based. Flanagan then leads the growing team of hundred and fifty volunteers to fulfill the myriad of objectives the team has laid out, depending on interest, skill level, and time commitment.

She is actively seeking new volunteers every day, stressing that every bit counts. "[Volunteers] who have a lot of time often decide to lead projects, working with other volunteers. People who have a little bit of time do little pieces: Photoshop contributor pictures into circles, or design a banner for our YouTube header, or they might write for Weird Canada or translate. A lot of them edit. They help with strategy: for example an objective is to think about accessibility, who has access to the space and who doesn't, and let's talk about it. So there is a team of about seven people who just work with me on that... so when we take action it's thoughtful action that represents a lot of people's voices".

They team are also always looking for feedback on the site, and ideas for their various objectives, including the developing distribution center.

WEIRD CANADA'S ADVICE FOR GETTING A FACTOR GRANT

Levin, Flanagan, and company are currently publishing not only their own successful grants, but those of others on the Weird Canada website, under the impassioned (and frankly awesome) flag of being an open business. "When I was trying to write grants I couldn't find anyone who had done this" Flanagan said. Weird Canada is currently accepting both successful and failed grant applications.

One piece of advice they'd give to people applying for FACTOR? In Flanagan's words: talk to FACTOR. "Call them. Talk to them. They're human beings on the other end of the phone, and they can tell you about grants that might be relevant to you or not. Problems they can see. Talk to them early, long before the grant is due."

"It's their job to field the call from the artist that says here's what I do, how can you fund me," Levin asserts. It's a basic piece of advice, but mind blowing at the same time.

Weird Canada's marketing plans, however, are secret due to FACTOR rules. Flanagan explains: "marketing plans are secret, you don't want to give away the surprise." Levin hints at a national launch party, but refuses to say anything more. We'll have to wait until January, but in the meantime, the discussion at Weird Canada will continue, ideally with as many voices as possible.

Photo of Flanagan and Levin by Colin Medley. Photos of Aids Wolf by Bruce Emberley.

Aubrey Jax is using words on Twitter.

Hidden Film Festival set to run this weekend in Toronto

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Hidden Film Festival TorontoThe Hidden Film Festival arrives in Toronto this weekend, but that's about all I can tell you about it. Well, almost. I also know the times and locations of the screenings, but as to what will actually be projected on the big screen, that remains a mystery — which is, of course, exactly how festival organizers have planned it. Taking place on subsequent weeks in Dublin, Paris, London and Toronto over the course of July, the festival hopes to use the intrigue generated by its unconventional approach to cast the spotlight on independent filmmakers who could benefit from a little buzz.

In addition to withholding information related to the films that are screening, organizers refuse to invite the press (this could impact the eligibility of these films at larger festivals) and encourages viewers to recount their experiences on social media. Here's how it works, according to the festival website:

"Audience members will buy a ticket to each respective screening and have no idea what films they are about to see. Before and after their screenings, audience members will be encouraged to share their thoughts on each independent film they've seen and the event itself... Industry press will not be invited. Instead we are encouraging everyone to get online and write, tweet and blog about what they have seen or what they think they will be seeing."

It's a somewhat risky proposition — most people want to know what they're paying for before shelling out — but with so many festivals out there, offering something unfamiliar could be enough of a hook to get people in their seats and writing about their experience.

The Hidden Film Festival runs at the Winchester in Cabbagetown at 8pm Saturday July 27th and at the Humber Cinemas at 10am Sunday July 28th. Each day will feature different screenings. Tickets are $10-13.

Photo from the Hidden Film Festivals Facebook page

The Best Jeans and Denim Stores in Toronto

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Jeans in TorontoThe best jeans and denim stores in Toronto are held in high regard - anybody who can curate a collection filled to the brim with the world's most versatile material (and perpetual blue jeans trend) is a marvel on their own. Many stores on this list have scoured the streets and showrooms to offer everything from the heaviest of raw denim to the most (ironically) perfect pre-distressed numbers, and have even left room for those semi-questionable neon skinnies we all know and (subjectively) love. Needless to say, the variety is unending, much like the renowned, time-honoured fabric.

So let's hand it to nine local boutiques both big and small; their helpful customer service, standards of quality, and - of course - wide selections of built-to-last jeans and denim products have all landed them on this list.

Here are the best jeans and denim stores in Toronto.

SEE ALSO:Where to get leather repaired in Toronto

Legends of the summer


Radar: Art Salad, Open Roof Festival, Insert Here, Movies in St. James Park

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Open Roof FestivalToronto Events on Thursday, July 25th

ART | Art Salad
Artists from Ottawa and Toronto mix together for Art Salad, a gallery show at Norman Felix that celebrates our two capitals and those that create their artist communities. Eight artists including Robyn Marie, Holly Steeves, Erin Shadoff and Maxwell Hyett toss together their pieces, each reminiscent of their hometowns, in the mezzanine of the gallery. Food and drinks will be served and musician Brian O'Brien will perform. Check out the freshest talents from Ottawa and Toronto at Art Salad tonight.
Norman Felix Inc. Art Gallery & Management (627 Queen Street West) 7PM $2

FILM | Open Roof Festival
Patirck Moote asked his girlfriend to marry him at a UCLA basktball game. She said no. The next day, a video of his rejected proposal went viral. To make matters worse, she privately divulged that it was because his penis was small. And that led Moote to making Unhung Hero, a documentary that seeks to answer the question "Does size really matter?" Screening at Open Roof Festival tonight, the film will be preceded by a Heavyweights Brass Band performance. Saucy Pierogi and Bricks & Mortar will be on site selling food throughout the evening. Tickets to this film are still available online and even if they sell out before tonight, there's always the rush line.
The Moonview Lot (175 Queens Quay East) 7:30PM $15

ART | Insert Here
Artists working in abstraction collectively showcase their works at Edward Day Gallery tonight. While west end art events seem to dominate this Thursday's events, this group of seven working with everything from object hybridism to fragmented picture planes take abstract art one step further in Insert Here. Swing by the show this evening in this garage-turned-gallery tucked behind a Queen West building. The show's opening reception runs until 8PM and all artists will be in attendance.
Edward Day Gallery (952 Queen Street West) 6PM Free

FILM | Movie in St. James Park
Best In Show is the selection for tonight's Movie in St. James Park. A Canadian comedy about a cast of competitors in a national dog show, this film stars Catherine O'Hara and Eugene Levy as dog owners with their eye on the prize. The first 200 people to arrive at St. James will get free popcorn courtesy of Rainbow Cinemas. This is the last film to screen this summer in St. James Park before the Music in St. James Park series returns so show up with a warm blanket and a cozy chair to enjoy the free outdoor film. Dogs are obviously welcome since Woofstock is a sponsor of the event.
St. James Park (105 King Street East) 9PM Free

ALSO OF NOTE:

Have an event you'd like to plug? Submit your own listing to the blogTO Toronto events calendar or contact us directly.

Photo by Woodrow Walden

Morning Brew: TTC to investigate taking over GO lines, no rescue for Bixi, Pape station to close, food trucks get a break, Kensington Walmart "not over," and old time ads

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toronto ontario placeThe TTC will investigate the possibility of using two existing GO Transit rail lines for its proposed Yonge Relief Line. A motion tabled at yesterday's board meeting by Chair Karen Stintz directs staff to report on electrifying the Lake Shore East and Georgetown lines for subway trains. Is this a practical way of saving on relief line costs?

One of the other big decisions out of yesterday's TTC meeting has consequences for the city's ailing Bixi program. The Board elected not to take on the bike share scheme, saying current internal issues take precedence, but did promise to investigate the idea if there are no other options to keep the business (and city-backed loan) secure.

Pape station will be closed August 19 to 30 to allow a major renovation and expansion project to wrap up early. Trains will bypass the station in both directions during the shut down. A labour dispute forced the closure to be pushed back by several weeks. Also in stations, the planned Black Creek Pioneer Village station (formerly Steeles West) is now simply Pioneer Village.

Food trucks are coming to several city parks later this summer. A new pilot project will allow participating vendors to operate out of Woodbine Park, Sherbourne Common, Roundhouse Park, Canoe Landing and Allan Gardens. Current bylaws prohibit the sale of food on city property but councillors Josh Colle and Mary-Margaret McMahon have been working on an elegant solution. Neat, right?

The CEO of RioCan says a controversial plan to build a Walmart on Bathurst Street "is not over." A moratorium on new retail and services introduced late last week means no new businesses over a certain size can open between Queen and Dupont. Ed Sonshine says RioCan could appeal the ban to the Ontario Municipal Board.

City councillor and MPP candidate Peter Milczyn is calling out rival Doug Holyday for using a city garbage truck during a photo opportunity. Holyday, currently Toronto's deputy mayor, posed with Conservative leader Tim Hudak in front of a Green For Life truck yesterday to illustrate ways he's saved taxpayers money in the past. Milczyn said he "found it hard to believe" anyone could borrow a truck for a few hours.

Finally, here's a selection of original real estate ads for several of Toronto's oldest planned neighbourhoods. Many of the city's residential areas, particularly in the west end, started as private subdivisions that were gradually annexed by the city. Buzz Buzz Home gathered a selection of original plans and adverts. Detached homes in Yorkville? It was once so.

IN BRIEF:

Chris Bateman is a staff writer at blogTO. Follow him on Twitter at @chrisbateman.

Image: ZensLens/blogTO Flickr pool.

This Week in Film: Computer Chess, Fruitvale Station, Early Monthly Segments, Sonchy's Silk Road Adventure, and TAAFI

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Computer ChessThis Week in Film rounds up noteworthy new releases in theatres, rep cinema and avant-garde screenings, festivals, and other special cinema-related events happening in Toronto.

NEW RELEASES

Computer Chess (TIFF Bell Lightbox)

American independent cinema - and I'm talking genuinely independent cinema here, not the dolled-down studio fare of the likes of Little Miss Sunshine and whatever else Focus and IFC throw into our art houses every couple of weeks - is in the midst of a renaissance of considerable magnitude (a movement that's clearly too ballsy for Toronto screens to not largely ignore). Saying that, it doesn't take a mumblecore expert (or what-ev-er) to recognize that Computer Chess is this current wave's zenith: a bold, visionary, vertical black slab that will have to be reckoned with for a long time by any creative spirit who dares strive for any sort of originality or DIY bravura. It's about computer chess, fair and sqaure; anything else that could be said about it should be felt and experienced in the cinema.

Fruitvale Station (Varsity)

Fortuitous that this film's general release should approximately align with the Trayvon/Zimmerman court case, as it will almost certainly benefit from the whirlwind of fury ignited by that event's monumental botch job. The reason is that it concerns a case unnervingly similar to the Florida incident, fictionalizing the New Year's 2009 shooting of African American Oscar Grant by a Caucasian police officer in Oakland, California. The film itself isn't perfect, but the subject matter ensures that it is enormously affecting regardless. Sure to rile you up and probably bring you to tears, so brace yourself.

Also opening in theaters this week:

  • Crystal Fairy (Varsity)
  • Mussels in Love (Bloor Hot Docs Cinema)
  • Rufus (Cineplex Yonge & Dundas)
  • Secretly Greatly (Cineplex Yonge & Dundas)
  • Thursday Till Sunday (Carlton)
  • Tiny Times (Cineplex Yonge & Dundas)
  • The To Do List (Cineplex Yonge & Dundas)
  • The Venice Syndrome (Bloor Hot Docs Cinema)
  • The Wolverine (Carlton, Scotiabank)

REP CINEMA

White Nights

  • The Old Well (Monday, July 29 at 6:30PM; TIFF Bell Lightbox)
  • White Nights (Tuesday, July 30 at 6:30PM; TIFF Bell Lightbox)
  • The Spooky Bunch (Tuesday, July 30 at 9PM; TIFF Bell Lightbox)
  • Tous les matin du monde [screened from a DVD] (Wednesday, July 31 at 2:30PM; Inis Town Hall)
  • The Way We Were (Wednesday, July 31 at 9PM; TIFF Bell Lightbox)
  • In the Face of Demolition (Thursday, August 1 at 6:15PM; TIFF Bell Lightbox)
  • The Banquet (Thursday, August 1 at 9:15PM; TIFF Bell Lightbox)
  • SPECIAL SCREENINGS

    Ordinary MatterEarly Monthly Segments: Perceptual Intensities (Monday, July 29 at 8PM; Gladstone Art Bar)

    Guest programmed by York professor Michael Zryd, this month's edition of Early Monthly Segments delivers three short films from the height of perceptual filmmaking in the avant-garde. Comprised of a David Bienstock student film titled Brummer's, Joyce Wieland's wonderful Peggy's Blue Skylight - shot in the her and Michael Snow's New York loft in the 60's - and Hollis Frampton's extraordinary masterpiece from his epic Hapax Legomena septet, Ordinary Matters, it's a trip into the canon that you won't want to miss (the Frampton, by the way, isn't included in the Criterion set). $5-10 suggested donations at the door.

    FILM FESTIVALS

    Sonchy's Silk Road Adventure (July 26-28; Innis Town Hall & CineCycle)

    Sonchy's Silk Road Adventures is a three-day cultural event that spotlights Central Asia, a region that "remains virtually untouched and unexplored by conventional travelers," according to the organizers. The event aims to help us discover a well balanced perspective of Central Asia's broad cultural characteristics, showcasing films such as Najeeb Mirza's new film Buzkashi!, Aktan Arym Kubat's acclaimed Cannes 2010 hit The Light Thief, and about a half-dozen other exciting features. For more on schedules and purchasing tickets, check out the festival's website here.

    TAAFI: Toronto Animation Arts Festival International (July 26-28; TIFF Bell Lightbox & Corus Quay)

    TAAFITAAFI is Toronto's first and foremost international animation festival, developed to celebrate the many forms of animation from around the world, supporting and nurturing the community that creates this art form. The festival, compact as it may seem, is a thorough, expertly curated dive into both contemporary and historical animation practices, showing both features and shorts, with retrospectives ranging from censored cartoons from the 30s and 40s (Censored 11), the last ten years of the NFB Hothouse, a look at Japanese Indie Animation, and a Ray Harryhausen Celebration - featuring works made 54 years apart. There is much, much more to discover, so check out the festival website for more info.

    Lead still from Computer Chess.

    New boutique stocks wacky & weird silkscreened tees

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    crywolf clothingThis new boutique on Ossington is operated by longtime Toronto screenprinters Rose Chang and Stephanie Drabik. You'll find some of the city's whackiest tee and other goodies in here, most of which are locally designed and screenprinted.

    Read my full profile of Crywolf in the fashion section.

    Toronto Restaurant Openings: The Beverley Hotel, Me & Mine, Scaddabush, More than Pies, Weldon Park

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    Toronto restaurant openingsToronto Restaurant Openings highlights the latest restaurant openings and closings in Toronto and also gives a preview at some of the places coming soon. Find us here every Thursday morning.

    OPEN NOW

    • The Beverley Hotel at 335 Queen Street West is now open, featuring restaurants on the main floor and rooftop helmed by ex-Hawthorne Food and Drink chef, Eric Wood (via The Grid).
    • Me & Mine at 1144 College Street is opening its doors for a soft opening today (Thursday, July 25th) or possibly tomorrow. Partners Melissa daSilva and Joel MacMillan (formerly of Zocalo) plan to focus on local, affordable foods like house-made Western chili sausage with cauliflower and cheddar bake. Daytime service will be offered Tuesday to Friday from 11am to 5pm, on weekends they'll open at 10am and once the liquor license is approved, dinner service will be added.
    • Scaddabush, slang for "a bit of everything" is now open at Mississauga's Square One Mall (209 Rathburn Road West). The menu at the new Italian kitchen and bar focuses on small plates and shareable dishes, including pastas made from scratch and fresh mozzarella made daily.
    • More than Pies, the Etobicoke wholesale bakery soft opens a new retail bakery cafe this Friday, July 26th at 3469 Lake Shore Boulevard West.
    • Latin Taste is now open at 200 Baldwin serving up Churros, tamales and sandwiches for take-away.

    OPENING SOON

    • Kitten and the Bear, a new cannery and retail shop for jellies and jams is slated to open at 1574 Queen Street West.
    • Weldon Park is set to open in the former site of Paaeez at 569 College Street. (via Post City)
    • Nine Cookie Bar is opening soon at 180 Baldwin formerly Shai's.

    CLOSING

    • We knew this day would come, but it's still sad. After a year and a half run, Come and Get It at 170 Spadina is wrapping up the pop-up in October to make way for an impending condo. (via The Grid)

    Have you seen restaurants opening or closing in your neighbourhood? Email tips to liora@blogto.com

    Photo from Scaddabush's Facebook page

    The 10 most famous bars in Toronto

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    famous bars torontoThe most famous bars in Toronto are those which are famous to us, not necessarily to a wider national or international audience. Spread throughout different neighbourhoods, these are the reliable standbys, the go-tos, most of them steeped in history. "Meeting at Sneak's," for example, is a privilege given the bar's history (and nachos), and with places like this around, it sometimes seems silly to seek out those new spots.

    And, for the record, it would have been easy to populate this list entirely by live music venues, but we've left some of those lovely spots off the list in favour of including a little something for everyone. Here, some of Toronto's most iconic establishments for imbibing.

    Lee's Palace
    The building that houses Lee's has seen a number of incarnations since completion about a century ago. It was born as a movie theatre, morphed into a restaurant, and came into its current form as a somewhat gritty music venue in 1985. Since then, it's welcomed into its fold the likes of Nirvana, Oasis and the Smashing Pumpkins, and something of the '90s does persist over the place, with its graffitied face and cheap beer. Crowned by the Dance Cave, Lee's is an ideal spot to party and catch a show in the Annex.

    The Horseshoe
    The 'Shoe, branded "The Legendary Horseshoe Tavern,"has been around forever (since 1947, to be exact)," and when The Rolling Stones choose to grace your small-scale stage, iconic status is often soon to follow. I've discovered many an up-and-coming band at the 'Shoe, and as Toronto bands grow and start touring, making folks in other cities stoked for their shows, they still routinely play the 'shoe with tix available for $10 to $12. Beyond the music, the Horsehoe is home to one of the city's best bartenders in the form of Teddy Fury, who can spin a yarn with the best of them. This is a grungy spot covered in stickers and scribbles, an ideal place to relax over a bottle of 50.

    The Brunswick House
    The Brunny is where 20-year-olds from U of T and the like go to get hammered on cheap shots and Coors Light and dance around the subject of hooking up. Because of its positioning in the Annex (and maybe the fact that it's been around for 100 years) Brunswick House has become a Toronto institution, whether you like it or not.

    Sweaty Betty's
    Sweaty Betty's was one of the first of about 100 bars that now line Lower Ossington. It prides itself on being designed for those of us who are distinctly unfancy. Drinks are simple; this is not a cocktail bar. You will, however, find PBRs and Jameson, which is all any of us really need, right? The crowning glory of Sweaty Betty's is, for sure, it's huge fairy-lit patio, which has little nooks and crannies to get lost in over a pint.

    Bovine Sex Club
    As most of you will know, Bovine is not (exactly) a sex club. It's the bar at Queen and Bathurst with all the junk attached to its facade. You know, the one with bike parts and wires and other gadgets sticking crazily out into the street. It's been a fixture in the Queen West area since it opened in the '90s, and is generally home to our city's filthy (in a great way) punk rockers and metal lovers. Aside from the music, the 80-seater rooftop patio is a highlight at the Bovine.

    Woody's and Sailor
    "Toronto's hottest gay bar" has been around for a quarter of a century, so that's saying something. Located, of course, in the the Village, this is a good spot to both watch gay chest and ass contests and to drink massive quantities of beer for astonishingly little cash. Like most of the Village, Woody's is a friendly spot, and you're totally welcome to come here and chill even if you aren't a gay dude (or lady). If you're a prude, though...this may not be the spot for you.

    Guvernment
    The Guvernment just might be Toronto's most well-known club. It's actually a complex, including the Kool Haus and Skybar. When I was a young'un, I would visit the Kool Haus for all-ages shows. That's not what the complex is known for, though, let's face it. This is a spot for intense partying. It's a place to indulge in too many drinks (or your poison of choice) and rock out to whatever famed DJ presides that night. The Guv has been around for 15 years and, barring a condo development, I can't imagine it going anywhere anytime soon.

    Sneaky Dee's
    Sneak's landed in Toronto in 1987. Originally positioned on Bloor, it later migrated down to the south east corner of College and Bathurst, where its wacky, punky signage beckons today. Everyone from BSS to Arcade Fire to Fucked Up has graced the bar's upstairs stage. The downstairs is laid out as a restaurant serving up deliciously junky Tex Mex. Vandalism is actually encouraged here: the place is layered in years' worth of graffiti, and the washrooms are truly a sight to behold for that reason (they're also a treasure trove of basic wisdom).

    The Pilot
    The Pilot feels more like a pub than anything else, complete with a long, stretchy bar. Established in 1944, this Yorkville establishment was originally located on Yonge Street north of Bloor before moving to its current Cumberland location. It's known for its rooftop patio (cheesily dubbed The Flight Deck). The Pilot also hosts weekly jazz nights, and there are 20 beers on tap, alongside 25 choices for bottled beer and cider.

    Brant House
    What would this list be without something for the west-end clubbers among us? Brant House, located, of course, on King West, is aimed at the glitzier folk of the city. You can't, for example, show up at the door in scuffed cowboy boots or (gasp!) flip flops and expect to be admitted. The club bills itself as a place for "Toronto's elite young professionals," so there's an air of exclusivity that's been cultivated with multiple VIP tables and the requisite bottle service areas.

    MAP

    OTHER BARS THAT JUST MISSED THE CUT

    The El Mocambo
    Silver Dollar Room
    Communist's Daughter
    The Madison
    Drake Hotel

    What would be on your list of famous Toronto bars?

    For more info on Toronto bars, download our Bars, Pubs and Late Night Eats app for iOS.

    Toronto food trucks coming to a park near you

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    Toronto food trucks pilot projectToronto food trucks are about to become a fixture at five Toronto parks as part of a pilot project that loosens the reins on the burgeoning street food scene in the city. Councillors Josh Colle and Mary-Margaret McMahon put the pilot together, which is set to start on August 1st at Woodbine Park, Sherbourne Common, Roundhouse Park, Canoe Landing and Allan Gardens. Prior to this initiative, Toronto food trucks were only able to operate on private property, where they also met occasional resistance from local BIAs.

    The pilot project is set to run for two months and will feature 18 food trucks, including Gourmet Gringos, Buster's Sea Cove, Fidel Gastros, The Feisty Jack, Caplansky's, and Urban Smoke BBQ to name a few. There's been talk for some time of cutting the red tape that surrounds street food in Toronto, but aside from allowing hot dog vendors to sell salads and corn, this is the first major step in making that a reality. It would have been nice, of course, to see the pilot start earlier in the summer, but it's hard to complain given the positive and, quite frankly, unexpected nature of the news.

    Both the councillors who spearheaded the pilot and food truck operators hope to turn the project into a permanent fixture and increase its range. For now, Toronto food trucks have a chance to shine in locations that make sense and with the full approval of Municipal Licensing and Standards. That sure sounds like progress to me.


    By the numbers: CityPlace condos

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    cityplace condoDepending on how you look at it, Toronto's CityPlace condo development is either a ghetto in the making or a trendy urban playground, rising from the waterfront's post-industrial ashes to revitalize an area once dominated by rail sidings, soot-blackened workshops, and roundhouses.

    Most criticism tends to centre around the neighbourhood's lack of services and its relatively isolated location south of the rail corridor, north of the Gardiner Expressway. The heavily trafficked southern portions of Bathurst and Spadina bookend the area to the west and east.

    toronto cityplace towersAnother concern centres around the high number of investors buying and leasing out units, a fear echoed by Cllr. Adam Vaughan in The Grid in 2011. He says low ownership numbers could result in a transient population and lack of upkeep. Few restaurants, bars, and independent stores give outsiders little reason to venture inside.

    Fears and predictions aside, the largest development ever built in Toronto is approaching completion almost 8 years after construction work began in earnest. 20 new low- to mid-rise residential towers are in various stages of completion and habitation, including two - Harbourview Estate B and West One - that top out at a substantial 49 storeys.

    toronto cityplaceAccording to the latest statistics, 22 CityPlace and four Park Place buildings are occupied, giving the development a total population of 13,500. The average unit size at CityPlace is around 708 square feet. The separate Park Place development has slightly larger units, averaging 759 sq. ft.

    For these first residents there are officially 31 retail outlets.

    One of the most visible features of the development is the elevated bridge that connects the PARADE 1 and PARADE 2 towers. Officially the Concord SkyBridge, it's 40 metres long and stands about 7 metres (around 2 storeys) tall between the 28th and 30th floors of the two buildings.

    It took 14 hours to raise from the ground and secure in to position last June. Fully loaded, it can support the weight of about 100 people.

    toronto cityplace bridgeThe bright yellow pedestrian bridge that spans the Union Station rail corridor also stands out against the relatively colourless backdrop of condominiums. The Puente de Luz, or Bridge of Light, weighs 270 metric tons (600,000 lbs) and is 125 metres long. During construction it was subject to numerous approvals by Metrolinx, the owner of the tracks, and was delayed by several months.

    It was closed for around a month shortly after opening due to minor problems with the expansion joints and mesh walls.

    What do you think about CityPlace? Have you had a chance to visit and check out what the area has to offer? Would you consider buying a condo there?

    Chris Bateman is a staff writer at blogTO. Follow him on Twitter at @chrisbateman.

    Image: George Socka/blogTO Flickr pool.

    Nutella fries and spring rolls coming to Toronto

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    Nutella CNEFor many Torontonians, food at the CNE is a bigger draw as any of the rides. For most of us, the exhibition is a venture in questionable calorie intake, and this year, there are many worthy new culprits to join the esteemed list of past foods, which include deep fried bacon hot dogs and doughnut cheeseburgers. Take, for example, Spread, a new member of the Food Building's roster. This stall takes Nutella, everyone's favourite hazelnut spread (which, I'm not ashamed to admit, even tastes phenomenal straight out of the jar) and morphs it into fries and spring rolls, among other treats.

    Aside from that particular standout, you'll also find several new snack options, from Ku Khan, which serves grilled Mongolian snacks, to the promisingly-named Philthy Phil Philadelphia, which, obviously, serves Philly cheese steaks. Returning vendors range from Bacon Nation to Wild Child Kitchen to Far East Taco. And, of course, there will be food trucks There are plenty of sweets on offer too, of course, ensuring no one is left out of the binge fest that is the Canadian National Exhibition.

    This year, the CNE will run from Aug. 16 until Sept. 2.

    Backyard BBQ joint opens behind Rose and Sons

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    Rose Sons BBQWith two Playa Cabanas, and now two concepts from ex-Drake Hotel chef Anthony Rose, the sleepy stretch of Dupont between Spadina and Avenue Road has suddenly become a dining destination. The newest hotspot is this backyard BBQ joint hidden away behind Rose and Sons where cocktails are served by the pitcher and platters of expertly grilled meat is the draw.

    Read my profile of Big Crow in the restaurants section.

    The top 5 outrageous foods coming to the CNE in 2013

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    Bacon MilkshakeYesterday the CNE sent us a press release of some of the new foods slated to be on this summer's menu. Among the offerings the nutella fries and spring rolls stood out, but after a bit more digging we were able to discover some additional outrageous foods that will be available this August that weren't mentioned in the initial release.

    Here are five outrageous, gut-busting foods to try at the CNE this summer.

    The bacon and peanut butter milkshake
    Bacon Nation, the outfit that brought deep fried bacon covered hot dogs and other bacon surprises to the CNE last year is back in 2013 with this ultimate, fattening summer treat. And if a bacon drink isn't filling enough, Bacon Nation also promises to be selling something called The Canuck (aka The Pig Mac) which is a burger featuring a patty made with ground bacon.

    The spice cream cone
    Just because bacon never goes out of style, ice cream vendor Just Cone It will be aiming to top last year's dirty bacon cone with something they're calling a spice cream cone. Move over Ed's Real Scoop. This is the ice cream treat to end all ice cream treats. It starts with a specialty hot baked cone which is then smothered with nutella, filled with vanilla soft serve ice cream and topped with spicy chili flakes and loads of crispy bacon of course.

    The Epic Burger
    This burger promises to be so epic the details of it are still tightly under wraps even the staff at the CNE aren't in the know. What we do know is that the burger is the latest offering from the same outfit that brought us the Krispy Kreme cheeseburger back in 2011.

    Nutella everything
    As we mentioned earlier today, nutella promises to be a big theme this year with at least two vendors prominently featuring everyone's favourite hazelnut spread. Along with the aforementioned nutella spring rolls and fries, expect nutella ravioli, deep fried nutella banana, nutella-strawberry grilled cheese and nutella wontons.

    Pulled pork in things it shouldn't be in
    Last but not least, pork fans should be pleased to know that bacon won't be the only swine food offering at the CNE this year. Pulled pork will be back in a big way thanks to return vendor Pull'd. Last year you might remember they served up the oh-so-indulgent red velvet pancakes layered with pulled pork. This year they're promising plenty of menu additions so stay tuned until August when they have the full reveal.

    Which new food offering at the CNE are you most excited or repulsed about this year?

    Bacon milkshake photo from Done Right.

    New plans revealed for Loblaws' former headquarters

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    toronto lake shore loblawsLoblaws is getting serious about redeveloping a disused warehouse at Lake Shore and Bathurst in to a full scale retail and residential complex, according to the latest available information. A new set of architectural drawings show two residential towers rising in front of the Gardiner Expressway and a new rooftop addition for the heritage-protected structure.

    If built, the warehouse, the former nucleus of the Loblaw Companies, would be extensively renovated and repurposed in to a substantial retail centre close to CityPlace, an area that's seen as lacking in amenities. It would also mark the return to the neighbourhood after more than 40 years for the supermarket giant.

    toronto loblaws lake shoreThe art deco Loblaw Groceterias Building opened in 1928 as the headquarters and central warehouse of the growing supermarket chain. Designed by Sparling, Martin and Forbes, the architects behind the Masonic Temple at Yonge and Davenport, it once included office space, a processing area, storage refrigerators, a large freight dock, and even an on-site bowling alley and billiard room.

    The new building at the rear was added 1934 and Loblaw's remained on the site until the '70s when a new headquarters opened on St. Clair Avenue East. The Daily Bread Food Bank used the surplus warehouse until 2000 and the city protected it as a heritage structure in 2001.

    toronto loblaws lake shoreLoblaws re-acquired the site in 2004 and planned to clear the property for a brand new supermarket, but that concept was eventually rejected by the Ontario Municipal Board. These drawings represent the company's latest attempt to redevelop the site, this time keeping the protected heritage features — but, notably, adding some anonymous box atop the old building.

    toronto lake shore loblawsThe 1934 addition at the rear of the warehouse, not included in the heritage designation, has already been demolished in advance of the project getting final approval from the city for the entire complex. Currently, Loblaws still needs zoning approval and the green light from city council.

    What do you think of the plans? Could Loblaws do better by the historical building in light of the magic spun at Maple Leaf Gardens? What about those residential towers? Sound off below.

    QUICK STATS:

    Tower A - West Buiding Height: 125.88 metres, 37 storeys
    Tower B - East Building Height: 137.88 metres, 41 storeys
    Tower A residential: 396 units
    Tower B residential: 444 units
    Total residential space: 54,830 sq. m.
    Total retail space: 17,134 sq. m.
    Total office space: 9,777 sq. m.
    Total ground floor area: 8,1742 square metres
    Total site density: 5.9 x
    Bicycle parking: 965 spaces (275 at grade)
    Car parking: 859 spaces

    toronto lake shore loblawsChris Bateman is a staff writer at blogTO. Follow him on Twitter at @chrisbateman.

    Images: Architects Alliance, City of Toronto Archives

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