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The Beaches trades one coffee shop for another

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Coffee Beaches TorontoNear the end of the Queen line near Beech Ave, the Remarkable Bean has long been the coffee shop of choice with longer lines than the nearby Best Coffee House. Now in an effort to lure in more customers the Best Coffee House has remodelled and rebranded and represents a clean and quiet spot for getting work done. The coffee and strudel isn't bad either.

Read my review of Oscar Coffee & Espresso Bar in the cafes section.


Now you can own a piece of the Sutton Place Hotel

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sutton place auctionA huge hotel auction is taking place in Toronto at the end of the month, and while there won't be any quirky hand painted signs from Honest Ed's, there will be kitchen equipment, furniture, and antiques galore, as the historic Sutton Place Hotel announces that everything must go - and this time they mean everything.

While in 2012 a sale took place at the Bay Street hotel which had the public lining up outside to grab TVs, furnishings, and more, Ryan Haas of Corporate Assets Inc., Canada's largest international industry auction/liquidation company, tells me the sale covered only the "tip of the iceberg" so far as the contents of the hotels' 300 fully furnished rooms are concerned. "Of 300 TVs, about 200 to 250 are left" Haas offered as an example.

The two day auction will attempt to clear everything that remains in the hotel, and they have a lot of ground to cover. Bidding will start on Friday, March 28 with an 8+ hour auction of about 1,500 lots worth of building support equipment and kitchen, restaurant, and laundry room equipment.

Saturday, March 29's auction, probably more interesting to the public, will cover furnishings and oddities: everything from those 250 TVs to artworks, couches and chairs, linens, and antiques like fireplace mantles, brass wall sconces, and a few crystal chandeliers that were valued at $25,000 - 30 years ago. Can someone grab me one of those for my apartment?

Bidding (traditional auction style) will take place in a gala room onsite at the hotel (Haas expects 700 - 1,000 people to attend each day) beginning at 9:30am, but those who can't make it can also participate in the Sutton Place Hotel auction online at corpassets.com.

The Sutton Place Hotel auction will begin at 9:30am on Friday, March 28th and continue on Saturday, March 29th. Learn more about the auction and the items up for grabs here.

Photo by PL Tam in the blogTO Flickr pool

Ukrainians demonstrate in front of City Hall

The original Pizza Nova does more than just pizza

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original pizza novaEveryone starts somewhere, and while the classic Drake track Started from the Bottom is an uplifting song about movin' on up, the original location of the Pizza Nova chain is a different story and yet somehow sprouted into one of Toronto's most famous pizza chains.

Read my review of the original Pizza Nova in the restaurants section.

That time Toronto fought over "The Beaches"

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toronto kew beachThe name of the waterfront neighbourhood in the east end of Toronto with the boardwalk and Kew Gardens? There's a chance you know it as the Beach, or, perhaps more controversially, the Beaches. Historically speaking, the community at the end of the 501 streetcar has long used the singular title, but things got decidedly murky one summer night in 1985.

Late one evening in mid August, Mary Campbell of Benlamond Avenue went to sleep in her Beach home. She woke up in the Beaches. Over night, the city had unscrewed the old acorn-style signs on Queen Street East and installed 14 new ones between Bellefair and Hammersmith Avenues with "The Beaches" written across the top. It wasn't a popular decision.

"It's very obnoxious for people who've lived here for a while to see this," Campbell, who was also the president of the East Toronto Beaches Historical Society, told the Toronto Star. "I've lived here more than 40 years and my parents lived here in the 1920s and its always been the Beach."

She was right: The neighbourhood was often called the Beach, especially by long-time residents, though there were notable exceptions such as the Beaches Branch Library, which opened in 1916. The Beaches, however, made perfect sense to outsiders. The neighbourhood was home to Woodbine, Kew, and Balmy beaches even if it was a single continuous stretch of sand.

toronto queen beachBut the sign switch was indicative of a bigger change in the community, a sudden influx of outsiders who were changing the feel of the neighbourhood.

M. Jane Fairburn in her book Along the Shore: Rediscovering Toronto's Waterfront Heritage, says that in the 1960s it was virtually impossible to find a business in the Beach that sold alcohol, with the exception of the Orchard Park Tavern across from Greenwood Raceway.

As Robert Fulford wrote in Accidental City, "the 1970s were a kind of cultural nightmare" for the Beach's old guard. "It was like going to sleep in your home town and waking up in a garish Hollywood movie set."

On the signs, the Beaches Business Association and the local BIA weren't to be swayed. They had designed and paid $1,400 for the signs and even consulted with the public, they said.

"We knew we wouldn't be able to please everybody, so we took a long dispassionate look at the situation," Arthur Salvatore, an executive member, told The Star. "Historically, this area encompasses more than one beach. The plural of beach is beaches. The media and anyone living outside the area knows it as the Beaches. And the majority of people who have moved here recently call it by that name," he said.

Locals said the BIA didn't have the right to make alterations to the street and insisted Beaches was a shunned commercial and real estate term. An error by the city had allowed the signs to be installed without the consent of local aldermen, Dorothy Thomas and Tom Jakobek.

"I fed up with everything that's happened to the Beach," Shelley Shields, another 40-year resident, told The Star. "I'm tired of people walking in and changing this place."

toronto beach beachesThe unpopular signs didn't last much more than a month. In October 1985, the war of words came to an end with the return of acorn-style signs displaying only the name of the street, but still the Beaches name persisted.

In 2006, the Beaches BIA (still plural) again tried its luck with new street signs, these ones labelling the area "The Beach," resulting in an outcry from hardcore pluralists. A public vote to settle the interminable matter one way or the other resulted in a narrow win for the singularists and the BIA dropped the two controversial letters from the end of its name.

So where do we stand today? I polled several local news outlets for their style guidelines regarding the Beach, or Beaches. The Toronto Star style committee head said, definitively, it's the Beach at 1 Yonge Street. The Globe and Mail, which publishes its style guide online, says "we do not use the singular ... but there is no need to change quotes from neighbourhood old-timers who do so."

Ron Wadden, the Toronto editor of the National Post, says his paper is torn and frequently ends up using both names, though he personally prefers Beaches.

The government says it's plural tool; MP Matthew Kellway, MPP Michael Prue, and councillors Janet Davis and Mary-Margaret McMahon all represent Beaches-East York.

The street signs still say "The Beach."

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

Images: City of Toronto Archives, Toronto Public Library,

Free events in Toronto: March 10 - 16, 2014

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Free events TorontoFree events in Toronto this week run from concerts in the Junction to spa events that require the accompaniment of a child, which may or may not be easy for you (if you come from the Junction it's probably pretty easy -- just grab one, right? I'm kidding, never ever do this). It's March and you're still broke and it's still freezing. Solve both problems with free indoor events, or stay at home clicking refresh on drakeweather.com -- it's your call.

Here are a dozen or so free events in Toronto this week.

Sing For Your Supper 3.2
Calling all theatre types or shy people looking to break out of their shell: hustle to the The Storefront Theatre to perform from selected scripts by indie play-writes. The night looks to be a fun and interactive way to strut your stuff and meet new friends in the Toronto theatre community. March 10, 7pm, The Storefront Theatre (955 Bloor Street West).

Toronto New Music Alliance presents New Music 101
The Toronto New Music Alliance (TNMA) and the Toronto Public Library bring you a free peek into the world of contemporary music. This week's Soundstreams and Spectrum Music showcase will get digital with demonstrations by local artists on SoundMakers, an application that tapes contemporary compositions in Soundstreams' catalogue for remixes and samples. Programming will continue on 17th (also free). Monday, March 10, 7pm, Toronto Reference Library (789 Yonge Street).

March Break SPArty Week at Yorkgate Mall
Wanna do a free mall glamathon? YOU DO. Grab a kid (that's the catch) and make it happen during March break. Yorkgate is treating little chickens to spa treatments: hair care sessions, nail art, temporary tattoos (which I definitely want in on), and a videogame lounge (luxurious videogame lounge?) await all week. March 10 - 14, 12pm - 3pm, Yorkgate Mall (1 Yorkgate Blvd).

Generations of Queer: Opening Events
A panel discussion and art opening in one, John Greyson, Elisha Lim and Kiley May will speak on Wednesday, March 12 from 6:30 to 8pm at OCAD University Auditorium (100 McCaul, Rm 190). Then from 8pm to 10pm, there will be an exhibit opening reception at OCAD U (230 Richmond Street West). The discussion and exhibit will probe queer discourses and activism.

University of Toronto Energy Fair
Students, industry professionals and members of the academy will discuss economics, sustainability, and efficiency all day at the University of Toronto Energy Fair, and you can join in on the fun. How depressing will this be? Is there hope for humankind? Find out on Wednesday, March 12 from 10am-4pm at Bahen Centre (40 St. George Street).

All Handles Different, a performance by Bridget Moser
Whoah isn't every event at Mercer Union supposed to be like $100? This is a free twenty-five minute arts performance (so don't show up an hour late like you usually do) that will use the gallery's current exhibit Push and Pull. Thursday, March 13, 7pm, Mercer Union (1286 Bloor Street West).

Matt O'Brien Comedy Album Recording
The Tallboys basement is hosting a show that just might split your sides down the middle, and not only is it free, you can be a part of Toronto comedy history as the whole thing is going on record. Hey, don't heckle too hard unless you're really funny. Note: if you think you're really funny, you're probably not that funny. Thursday, March 13, 8pm, Tallboys Craft Beer House (838 Bloor Street West).

Fail Again, Fake Better
What's real? No seriously. The 13th Annual York University Art History Graduate Student Symposium will be a two day free exploration to finally determine if real is, indeed, a feeling, or at least how authenticity and fakin' it til you make it (and then faking it some more?) functions in the arts. Iris Häussler speaks on Thursday, March 13 from 5pm - 7pm at Katzman Contemporary (86 Miller St.) and Dr. Laura Levin speaks on Friday, March 14 from 8am - 6pm at York University, Room 130 (4700 Keele St., Toronto). Lunch is free on Friday.

Anchor Shop's One Year Anniversary Bash at Sneaky Dee's
Aukland and Friday Night Trend will perform at this free snow at Sneak's, with Elos Arma DJ'ing. BUT WAIT -- Anchor Shop wants you to double your fun, so at the show you can win tickets to other upcoming Toronto gigs (and do you ever deserve it) which are listed here. Friday, March 14, 9pm, Sneaky Dee's (Sneaky Dee's 431 College Street).

Synthesexer with DJs Digits, ARP 2600, Little Kicks
How could we not hype this up with a tagline like "Get into the Moog" -- plus the DJs know what they're doing. ARP 2600 (Silent Shout), Digits (Silent Shout), and Little Kicks (Pop Lobster) will be making your disco and electropop dreams come true but you have to show up before 11pm, or you'll turn into a synth-pumpkin (a synth-pumpkin who has to pay $5). Friday, March 14, 10pm, The Piston (937 Bloor Street West).

The Big Free Show in the #JunctionTO w. Young Running, Beams & Catl
It looks like 3030 is bringing free music to the Junction on the reg now, and these are some bands that people pay decent cash to see. Beams, Catl, and Young Running will perform, and many people will drink beer. Okay, here's the thing -- the 40 bus up Dundas from Dundas West Station is better than the Keele bus and the High Park Ave bus. I'm not even sure why, but just take the 40. Junctionites, you know what I mean. Saturday, March 15, 9pm, 3030 (3030 Dundas West).

Also check out these regular free events in Toronto

Lead photo of Beams

A sneak peek at the Honest Ed's sign sale

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honest eds sign saleHonest Ed's is selling off many of its iconic, hand-painted signs in a blowout sale on Monday morning at 10am. This news, which broke a few days ago, was met with rabid excitement from Toronto nostalgiacs, history buffs, and folks who like the idea of retaining a bit of the store's legacy before it ultimately gives way to condos in the coming years. But just what will the selection be like, a few of us asked after catching wind of the sale? Ever the good marketers, the folks at Honest Ed's invited media types in for a preview of the sale and a little early celebration of the iconic store's history.

On hand were Wayne Reuben and Douglass Kerr, the employees responsible for the signage, both of whom did a few demonstrations of their work. It's remarkable just how precise and quick they are. It might be cliche, but it really is remarkable that a discount retailer employees full time sign painters in 2014. Alas, with the store scheduled to close on December 31st, 2016 this dated practice will soon be another bit of Toronto history.

Get a sneak peek of the Honest Ed's sign sale in this photo gallery.

In the swing


Today in Toronto: Honest Ed's Sign Sale, The Starkman Cup, Trampoline Hall, Danny Michel, In Conversation with Helen Oyeyemi

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today in torontoToday in Toronto The Starkman Cup, a trivia challenge presented by the Toronto Professional Firefighters' Association, will go down at the Steam Whistle Roundhouse, hosted by TVO's Steve Paikin, with all proceeds going to the Daily Bread Food Bank. This evening also finds everyone's favourite twisted 'lecture' event Trampoline Hall returning to The Garrison, and Danny Michel's Monday night residency continues at The Dakota. Acclaimed British author Helen Oyeyemi will be at Indigo on Bloor discussing (and signing) her latest book Boy, Snow, Bird.

Of course, the event that has everyone abuzz is the sign sale at Honest Ed's. It gets underway today at 11am. Check out our giant preview of the sale here. For more events, click on over to our events section.

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

Photo by Matt in the blogTO Flickr pool

This Week in Music: Digital Dreams line up, Fourtet at Foundry, new F-cked Up, Paper Lions, FAWN Opera

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Music TorontoThis Week in Music rounds up the latest news, releases and concerts coming to Toronto.

Digital Dreams release line up
The line up for Canada's largest EDM festival so far includes heavy hitters like Art Department, Tisto, Deep Dish, Luciano, NERVO, and Flux Pavilion. The fest will bring blinding neon light to Echo Beach on June 28th and 29th. Tickets are on sale here for $118.75+.

‪Brrrrr! Winter Music Festival 2014 Official Aftermovie‬
Speaking of neon, did you miss the Brrrrr! Fest in February because like, it was cold outside? Do you want to know what a bunch of people wearing parkas (or not! Where are their jackets?!) and colorful sunglasses partying to EDM in freezing, snowy environment looks like? Do you have a toque fetish? Watch below.

F-cked Up's next album hits this summer
Hey F-cked Up fans, whoever you are: F-cked Up have announced their album Glass Boys will be released by Matador Records this summer. I know it's weird to read about a F-cked Up related project that's actually F-cked Up, but here you go. Watch a trailer below.

‪'Walk On The Wild Side' at the CBC‬
CBC Music recorded this performance at their birthday tribute concert to Lou Reed at the Glen Gould. Kevin Hearn (Barenaked Ladies/Rheostatics), friend and musical director to Lou, put it all together. The stage hosted members of Lou's band, Broken Social Scene, Metric, The Tragically Hip's Gord Downie, Carole Pope, Chris Hadfield (what?), Ron Sexsmith, Andy Kim, and more. It's a terrible cover, but if you're into Canadiana rock you might tear up or something. RIP Lou.

Paper Lions release free EP
You can download Acquaintances for free here, as the band heads down to SXSW.

Bry Webb will release new album in May
Now that he's made everyone happy by announcing a Constantines reunion, Webb made some more goofy local smiles this week by announcing his album Free Will will drop May 20 on Idée Fixe Records. ‪

New Toronto tracks & videos

Odonis Odonis - "Angus Mountain"

Cale Sampson "The Truth Is"

Weaves - "Do You See Past"

BADBADNOTGOOD - "Can't Leave The Night"

This week's hot tickets

Arcade Fire / March 13 / Air Canada Centre / sold out
The most badass thing the Arcade Fire has ever done is calling their own fans out on being too frumpy at their arena shows. "Wear something nice already, you're making us sick" - The Arcade Fire, last true punk band in indie rock.

Foundry / March 14th to April 5 / Tower Automotive / 10pm / $99.50 series pass, $19.50-$49.50 single nights
Last year Foundry brought together a wide network of underground dance music promoters and scenesters to throw an eclectic mini-festival. This year they'll do the same at the Tower Automotive Building (recently used for the Promise Heart Party), with another talent-stacked lineup, including the unpredictable experimentalist Four Tet and Canadian electronic duo Purity Ring. This weekend features Four Tet + Anthony 'Shake' Shakir + Gingy + DJ Colin (Friday) and Purity Ring [DJ Set] + Shigeto [Live] + Blue Hawaii [DJ Set] (Saturday). Check out our preview of the fest here.

Emergents III: FAWN Opera & New Music Michael Vincent, curated by Chelsea Shanoff / Friday, March 14 / 8pm / The Music Gallery (197 John Street) / $12
This looks to be an amazing Music Gallery show for lovers of dramatic performances and experimental music. FAWN is all about "Synesthesia concerts" which apparently usually take place in art galleries. Music and visuals will combine for some kind of psychedelic contemporary opera, with a whole lot of weirdness, naturally. Watch below.

Crosss / March 15 / Smiling Buddha / $8
If you haven't heard, Smiling Buddha is totally different now - well, except for a few things that the new owners just couldn't change. Mark Pesci (of Mark Pesci's Toronto Punk and Hardcore Shows) is booking gigs now, so it remains to be seen if this will still be the city's best bet for shows where you have no idea what is going on. Montreal loud-band Crosss is joined by loud-bands Soupcans, Special Noise, and Ketamines.

Recently announced concerts

  • Weaves / April 26 / Cinecycle
  • Chelsea Wolfe / May 27 / Winter Garden Theatre
  • Phoenix / June 10 / The Sound Academy
  • Boston / June 23 / Molson Ampitheatre
  • Tori Amos / Aug 8 / Massey Hall

What we got up to this week

Photo of Fourtet from Facebook

Kyary Pamyu Pamyu makes Toronto cute for a night

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Kyary Pamyu PamyuJapanese pop princess Kyary Pamyu Pamyu brought out a seldom-seen side of Toronto Saturday. The Little Bo Peep-on-acid, bunny suit wearing, excited, adorable side.

The Sound Academy was as packed as I've ever seen it, but everybody, and I mean everybody, danced. People wore tiny backpacks, pink hair, ruffles, and various animal hats. In short, on Kyary's first trip to Canada, she threw an amazing Harajuku party. Honestly, I think Toronto could do with a little more wow wow wow yay yay yay in its life. And maybe a few more acid trips.

Kyary Pamyu PamyuKyary's music is not really the focal point of her shows. A lot of people seem to come for her style, her energy, and the show itself.There was a giant pink bunny leaping around, a troupe of precious dancers with Minnie Mouse headbands, and Kyary's own unique brand of hard-to-ignore head adornments.

Kyary got her start as a model and fashion blogger, and her style is a combination of early Tavi Gevinson, Sailor Moon (I had to), and the most wild Vogue editorial spreads, but her special twist is that everything is pink. She also doesn't give a eff: In 2012, she wore one of her trademark giant hair bows on TV, accidentally blocking sight of band Kanjani8. She apologized, and was very sweet about it obviously. But Saturday, the show was hers, and she joyously wore that fucking bow and brought some giddiness to our broken, frosty winter-in-Toronto hearts.

Kyary Pamyu PamyuThough one could say Kyary's music is secondary to her image, the music is insanely fun. She started with Invader Invader ("The antenna grows, on the rainbow UFO"). The crowd went apeshit in a way I rarely see in this city. I think I'm going to start listening to this gem of a human when I am stomping around the city feeling especially homicidal.

Kyary Pamyu PamyuKyary spoke Japanese for the most part when she addressed the crowd. But there was no real language barrier, somehow, as much of the crowd either understood Japanese, or were just so into it that they knew wassup anyway.

Kyary Pamyu PamyuEveryone fell in love with the adorable Kyary, is what I'm saying here, myself included. We wildly demanded an encore, and she came back with Candy Candy and Tyantyakatyantyan. For me, that was a highlight.

Kyary Pamyu PamyuThat, and watching crowds of fluffy-booted, glittery Torontonians march off into the night with a little bit more hope and optimism than they showed up with.

MORE PHOTOSKyary Pamyu PamyuKyary Pamyu PamyuKyary Pamyu PamyuKyary Pamyu PamyuKyary Pamyu PamyuKyary Pamyu Pamyu

Photos by Matthew Kozovski

Crowdfunding site for indie artists launches in Toronto

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Fund What You CanThe Toronto Fringe Festival has been busy - the creative force behind the Creation Lab, a space aiming to provide affordable studio access in the city, is now taking their goodwill toward artists online. On Friday the Fringe launched Fund What You Can (FWYC), a new online crowdfunding platform intended specifically for Canadian independent artists.

The name, which obviously riffs on PWYC (pay what you can), a staple of low budget arts events, offers artists "Keep What You Raise" or "All Or Nothing" options similar to other crowdfunding sites - but the difference is that FWYC isn't charging a fee for their service. This could make it an attractive option for a lot of cash-strapped Canadian artists - stay tuned to your Facebook feeds for funding pleas of all kinds.

Fund What You Can's website is so far a home for a one woman clown show, a number of theatre, dance, and Fringe projects, and a "travel guide to a fictional city." Thus far there are no entries under Music or Film - which isn't too surprising as the Fringe theatre fest is behind the platform - but given both are popular areas for crowdsourced dollars, as word spreads I'd expect the bands-on-tour and send-me-to-Slamdance projects to begin rolling in too.

You can learn more (and maybe fund your dreams) at fwyc.ca.

Yakitori bar opens above Kinton Ramen on Bloor

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YakitoriThis newly opened Japanese yakitori bar from the Guu team majors in chicken and beef brochettes, but also offers a vast assortment of accoutrements like rice balls, poutine and even desserts like beer sorbet and sake ice cream.

Read my profile of Yakitori Kintori in the restaurants section.

10 photos of pub food in Toronto

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pub food TorontoWith a week to go before St. Patrick's Day it's good to know that Toronto isn't devoid of pub food options. From the Beaches to Bloor West Village, pubs dot our city and serve up reliable comfort food. To get a look at what everyone is eating these days we challenged our readers to share their favourite photos of pub food. We're excited to announce tc_photography, who shot the above English breakfast-eggs benny hybrid photo at Kennedy Public House, is the winner of dinner for two at The Fifth Pub House.

You can check out all the submissions in our #pubfoodTO photo stream, and be sure to sign up for emails about future photo challenges.

pub food TorontoWings by savvyabroad at 420 Smokehouse.

pub food TorontoShrimp po' boy by leeohnelle at Weslodge Saloon.

pub food TorontoFried chicken by jennapettinato at The Stockyards.

pub food Toronto Breakfast poutine by joefresh511 at Prohibition Gastrohouse.

pub food Toronto Steak and mash potatoes by hindumagic3003 at Owl and Firkin.

pub food Toronto Duck poutine by whatagirleats_to at Burger Cellar.

pub food TorontoFried chicken by lindamatarasso at The Fifth Pub House.

pub food Toronto The works by imtimkim at Jack Astors.

pub food Toronto Lamb sloppy joes by smilingmango_to at Museum Tavern.

For more photos of pub food check out our Pub Food stream.

15 takes on cosplay from Toronto ComiCon 2014

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Toronto ComiCon CosplayThousands of fans of pop culture, sci-fi and fantasy rolled through the Metro Toronto Convention Centre this weekend for ComiCon 2014. As always, cosplay was out in full force, as attendees busted out everything from Lord of the Rings characters to Ghostbusters to heroes of their own creation. Some wore elaborate get-ups, while others tended toward the minimalist and revealing, but it was all geeky and fun.

See all the costumes in our style section.


Country themed coffee shop opens steps from SkyDome

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The Coffee bar torontoToronto's newest indie coffee shop has opened in an unexpected location - mere steps from the SkyDome, er, Rogers Centre. What's more, this java spot is right on trend with rodeo and country-style motifs like rope chandeliers and horse tapestries.

Read my review of The Coffee Bar in the cafes section.

Food trucks can soon park on Toronto streets (maybe)

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toronto food trucks park streetToronto food trucks could finally be about to enter the 21st century. Details of the long-awaited shakeup of the city's archaic street vending laws were released earlier this afternoon, giving a first taste of what might be in store this summer.

After months of consultation, city staff suggest tossing out several old bylaws and licensing regulations in favour of something a little more flexible. A new $5,066.69 (yep, and 69 cents) Mobile Food Vending Permit would be created, allowing food trucks to set up in many more places than the current narrow rules allow.

The recommendations will be presented at next Tuesday's licensing and standards committee meeting and passed on with possible changes to city council later in the year. Here are the highlights from the proposed new rules.

ALLOW FOOD TRUCKS TO USE PAY AND DISPLAY PARKING SPOTS

City staff say food trucks should be allowed to use pay and display spaces, lay-bys, and private surface lots provided the location is more than 50 metres from an open restaurant and 30 metres from a school or place of worship. The city estimates there are about 350 places that fit the suggested criteria in Toronto. Permit holders will still have to pay parking and meter fees, though.

As for Green P lots, the Toronto Parking Authority will study the possibility of allowing in food trucks over the summer.

LIMIT FOOD TRUCKS TO TWO PER BLOCK

If the rules are adopted as is, no more than two food trucks will be allowed to operate on a single city block at the same time. This idea appears to be an attempt to prevent sidewalk crowding and traffic congestion caused by parking vehicles but it could also force food truck owners to spread out across the city.

IMPLEMENT A THREE-HOUR TIME LIMIT

Food trucks will not be allowed to sit on prime spots all day. The new bylaw would require truck owners to find a new spot every three hours or risk a fine. Good news for people who like change.

GIVE THE LOCAL BIA AND CITY COUNCILLOR VETO POWER

Rather than provide a blanket set of rules for every neighbourhood, city staff say the local councillor and BIA should be allowed to designate no-go areas for food trucks. This could become a source of friction, especially if restaurant owners have sway of the decisions of the BIA. It could also give established business owners the chance to unfairly snuff out potential newcomers.

START VERY SOON

Provided the new laws are approved by the committee and city council gives the green light, the new food truck laws could be in place by May 15, just in time for summer. Any food trucks operating under the old permit must upgrade by December 31, 2016.

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

Image: Jen Chan/blogTO Flickr pool.

The Best Candy Stores in Toronto

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Candy TorontoThe best candy stores in Toronto are replete with childhood memories. Who doesn't remember holding coins in a small, sweaty palm, eyes traveling back and forth over the brightly coloured little gems, trying to decide on which of those candies to spend that hard earned dough? The only differences in the memory may be generational or cultural -- older folks yearn for humbugs and chicken bones, British colonialists miss Flakes, Yorkies, or wine gums, while those from warmer climates might miss sweets flavoured with tamarind or chiles.

I came from the era of Big League Chews, Bubble Tape, Garbage Pail Kids, Fun Dips, Goodies, Punkys, Nerds, Fireballs, Ring Pops and Dinasour eggs -- all of which I ate an unfathomable amount. Sometimes you just couldn't stop yourself. Everyone either loved or hated Thrills, a gum invented in and unique to Canada. While marketed as 'rosewater' flavoured, anyone who's taken the dare and chewed the stuff knows it tastes exactly like soap.

Whatever your candy experience, the many Toronto sweet shops offer just such trips down memory lane, to the celebration of your tongue and the detriment of your teeth.

Here are the best candy stores in Toronto.

See also

The Best Bulk Food Stores in Toronto
The Best Cookies in Toronto
The Best Chocolate in Toronto

Above Toronto

Today In Toronto: Augustines, Anja Dornieden and Juan David Gonzlez Monroy, The Carousel, Cometry Poedy

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Today in TorontoToday in Toronto Brooklyn's Augustines hit The Garrison with openers My Goodness, and TO's Liaison of Independent Filmmakers (LIFT) presents an evening of Anja Dornieden and Gonzlez Monroy's films at Cine Cycle. The Berkley Street Theatre hosts Megan Follows' The Carousel from now until the 30th, and you can catch both poetry and comedy on the same stage (a wonderfully ancient concept) at The Central tonight for Cometry Poedy, with a large cast of TO talent. For more events, click on over to our events section.

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

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