Despite our warm, green Christmas, it looks like we'll finally get some snow in the city thanks to a winter storm that's set to begin at approximately 8 p.m. tonight.

UPDATE: While original forecasts last night were calling for more than 15 centimetres of snow, according to Environment Canada, we should now expect no more than 10 centimetres of snow to accumulate along with wind gusts of up to 60 km/h. Around midnight, the precipitation is forecasted to switch to ice pellets; there's also a chance of freezing rain.

Though, don't expect the snow to stick around because it's supposed to rain tomorrow morning and into the afternoon.

Photo by Nisarg Lakhmani in the blogTO Flickr pool.

You can literally see what it would be like to ride the rocket in Carlos Martinez's set of Instagram photos. We've already seen what Toronto would look like in the Star War universe, but this local art director has taken it to the next level by imagining what it would be like to ride the TTC in space.

Martinez says he regularly snaps iPhone photos while commuting and later edits them using Adobe Photoshop. He follows NASA as well as a number of other astronauts on Instagram and their posts make him wish he were in space. Now, his illustrations let him pretend he's floating above the earth too.

While Martinez came up with his idea a while ago, he was reluctant to share his work on social media. "I was super hesitant to post it online just out of fear of how it would be criticized," he says via email of his first jazzed-up photo, which he posted two weeks ago.

"I saw how well received my first post was and it just gave me a bit more confidence to keep doing what I'm doing."

The best guacamole in Toronto is a deceivingly simple dish. While soft, ripe avocado and a squirt of lime juice is essential, everything else is not - great guac needs little else, though the addition of cilantro, onions, and tomato are often welcome.

Here is the best guacamole in Toronto.

This dessert house and cafe near Yonge and College goes beyond bubble tea and cheesecake with curry and rice and noodle soup.

Read my profile of Jule in the cafes section.

The top condo developments announced in 2015 aren't relegated to the downtown core. Rather, they bring well-designed, high-density housing to all areas of the city. These ambitious new projects won't be ready for a while, but many are available for pre-sale if you're considering investing in some swanky new digs next year.

Here are my picks for the top new condo developments in Toronto from this year.

Art Shoppe Lofts and Condos
With names like Lagerfeld (Karl) and Freed Developments attached to it, this condo at Yonge and Eglinton has already gotten a lot of buzz. Architect Peter Clewes of architectsAlliance designed the building and the aforementioned Lagerfeld will lend his talents to create a rather impressive-looking (at least in the renderings) lobby.

Picnic
Located in Bloor West Village, this eight-storey mid-rise building, designed by Quadrangle Architects, will include 68 units. And, it's set to be developer North Drive's second condo in the area (it announced the High Park a couple years back).

Blue Diamond
The amenities at this Forest Hill condo make it stand out from the pack. With two squash courts, a yoga studio and an indoor pool, this Camrost-Felcorp project looks quite luxurious. It features 26-storeys, 226 units as well as townhouses at street level.

The Clover
According to BuzzBuzzHome, units at The Clover start in the $200,000s - that's relatively affordable considering its central location. This project by Cresford Developments, and designed by architectsAlliance, is situated right on Yonge Street, just north of Wellesley.

Fifth on the Park
With its New York City-sounding name, the Fifth on the Park is the fifth tower in Elad Canada's Emerald City community. WZMH Architects designed this 24-storey tower, which includes amenities like an indoor pool and retro games room. Units in this North York condo - that's right on the Sheppard subway line - start in the mid $200,000s.

St. Leslieville
There was lots of confusion surrounding this Leslieville development. However, it's finally underway. As its name suggest, this long-awaited project led by deCargani Developments Inc., and designed by Open Architects, is converting the old St. Clements church into 14 condo units. Many of these spacious suites will clock in at more than 1,000 square feet.

158 Front
The area around the St. Lawrence Market is slowly changing thanks to some new developments, like this one by Fernbrook Homes and Cityzen Development Group. It'll bring nearly 500 units to Front Street. And, it's another allianceArchitects projects, which means you can expect huge windows at these two 26-storey towers.

Daniels Waterfront Lighthouse Tower
It may not be an epic nightclub, but the building that's replacing The Guvernment complex is billing itself as a mixed-use arts hub. Phase One includes the 45-storey Lighthouse Tower designed by Giannone Petricone Associates Inc. with units starting at $279,000.

Cabin
If you're looking for a private oasis in the heart of West Queen West, you should probably look beyond the Cabin's cheesy marketing towards the 25 sun-lit units in Curated Properties's latest building. It's an incoming low-rise development designed by the local architectural firm RAW - it's a definite contrast from the numerous towers encroaching on the neighbourhood.

Heartwood the Beach
This newly proposed project by Fieldgate Homes and Hullmark is unique in Toronto's current condo landscape. That's because it features a timber frame. Designed by Quadrangle Architects, this six-storey condo will include a modest 37 units, a green roof and retail at street level.

What's your favourite new condo development? Add it to the comments.

The payphone isn't quite extinct in Toronto, but its days are numbered. As easy as it is to ignore this bit of communication infrastructure, if you stop to pay attention, you'll notice just how prevalent it remains. Sure, hardly anyone uses them, but they're still a fixture on the streets of this city.

There are approximately 60,000 payphones remaining across Canada, of which 15,000 or more could be left scattered across Toronto. That's a staggering number when you consider how few people use them these days. Of those that remain, it's difficult to know how many are operational, as companies like Bell no longer repair damaged phones.

I probably won't be able to sell too many people on the idea that this decaying infrastructure is actually aesthetically pleasing, but like the neon signage and rundown motels I'm so fond of, I tend to enjoy the manner in which they still haunt the street with their clutter and orange-tinged light.

On a far more pragmatic level, the CRTC has been careful to prohibit the complete de-installation of payphones around the country, as they are still deemed valuable for low income citizens and in the event that cellular service is brought down by a storm (this was the case when Hurricane Sandy hit New York).

It makes sense. Despite the ubiquity of cell phones, it's worth remembering that not everyone owns one. Some of the most vulnerable inhabitants of this city rely on the presence of payphones for both basic communication needs and, perhaps more importantly, in the event of emergencies. They're also useful on subway platforms as a way to contact crisis lines.

While the projected number of payphones that remain is forecast to drop at a rate of 15 per cent annually, you're unlikely to see their complete eradication on Toronto streets -- or at least not for the foreseeable future. The CRTC wants to ensure that a few remain to service those in need of them.

In other words, as the series of photos that dot this post is named, the payphone is an endangered species. Few will miss the payphone when it's gone, but I suspect the last holdouts will take a long time to disappear.

Photos by Dominc Bugatto.

New live music venues in Toronto have given us even more opportunities to support both local and international artists. We got to see shows at a number of unusual spaces, including the Unsound Festival at the Hearn Generating Station. Parkdale's Wrongbar became Miss Thing's, we almost lost the Velvet Underground and we also saw Magpie's Taproom rebrand as Dundas Video this year. Let's see what 2016 brings.

Here are my picks for the top new live music venues in Toronto.

Burdock
As a restaurant, microbrewery and a bona fide venue, Burdock is somewhat of a destination on Bloor Street West. Its intimate, artist-driven music hall boasts a full calendar of shows that won't usually cost more than $15 at the door.

Nest
Nest replaced the Ryze nightclub at College and Bathurst, bringing with it an LED light show and an impressive DYNACORD sound system. The 13,000 square-foot space plays host to local and international DJs - just beware of the cover if you're looking to visit on a Friday or Saturday night.

Fat City Blues
You'll want to venture to Little Italy if you're looking for Cajun-style food (like jambalaya and shrimp po' boys) and jazz and blues tunes. Inspired by New Orleans, this bar and restaurant features live music nearly every night of the week that it's open as well as a side patio in the spring and summer.

Shameful Tiki Room
This West Coast import brings the quintessential tiki experience to Toronto with puffer-fish lamps and rum-infused beverages. The newly opened space also features live music across a number of genres, including rock and rockabilly. Best of all, there's no added cover if you happen to wander in while an artist is playing.

Tennessee
Back in the early 2000s, this Parkdale space was known as the Tennessee Tavern. Now, it's harkening back to its roots after spending a number of years as The Sister and Mitzi's Sister. This west side venue has a full roster of shows, including karaoke nights on Mondays, meaning that you too can take to the stage.

What's your favourite new live music venue in Toronto? Let us know in the comments.

Photo of Nest by Jesse Milns.

The 1940s is a period well documented photographically in Toronto, but it's quite rare to see colour video from this period. That's why the clip below from the Periscope Film Archive is such a gem. Yes, it's silent and not much happens, but once you see the first bright red Peter Witt streetcar go by, you can't help but get excited.

There's a lot to see in this roughly four minute long video. The obvious stuff is the Royal York Hotel, Union Station, and Queen's Park, but for me the intriguing things are the TTC signs, the mailboxes, and the outdoor classroom (possibly in High Park or Victoria Park).

It's also rather fascinating to note the general lack of traffic in the city. While the place depicted in the film feels immediately familiar, the interval of 70+ years also gives it a rather eerie feeling. The view up Bay St. is remarkably similar, but the building facades are actually cleaner today (we don't burn much coal anymore).

Have a look and see what similarities and differences you can spot.

Today in Toronto it's time to start gearing up for NYE. For those who need to take a break between Christmas festivities and New Year's celebrations there's movie screenings at TIFF and colouring at the Gladstone Melody Bar. If you'd rather spend your week drinking and dancing in preparation for the main event, the Drake and Dakota Tavern are hosting live shows.

For more events, click on over to our events section.

• What's in The Box (Drake Hotel)
• Eight Five Two (Horseshoe Tavern)
• Adult Colouring (Gladstone Melody Bar)
• A Place in the Sun (TIFF Bell Lightbox)
• Skittles Holiday Pawn Shop (242 Queen Street West)
• Jason Collett's Basement Revue (Dakota Tavern)

Have an event you'd like to plug? Submit your own listing to the blogTO Toronto events section.

Photo of Zoo Owl (performing as part of What's in the Box).

This week on DineSafe, city inspectors presumably took some time off for the holidays. Even still, they snagged a few familiar establishments and doled out yellow cards to Oddseoul, Prohibition, and Nam Sandwich Shop.

See which other restaurants landed on DineSafe this week.

Nam Sandwich Shop (874 Queen Street West)
Inspected on: December 22, 2015
Inspection finding: Yellow (Conditional)
Number of infractions: 6 (Minor: 3, Significant: 1, Crucial: 2)
Crucial infractions include: Operator fail to wash hands before resuming work. Store hazardous foods at internal temperature between 4 C and 60 C.

Oddseoul (90 Ossington Avenue)
Inspected on: December 23, 2015
Inspection finding: Yellow (Conditional)
Number of infractions: 4 (Minor: 1, Significant: 3)
Crucial infractions include: N/A

Prohibition (696 Queen Street East)
Inspected on: December 21, 2015
Inspection finding: Yellow (Conditional)
Number of infractions: 5 (Minor: 3, Significant: 2)
Crucial infractions include: N/A

Bread & Bowl (2 Murray Street)
Inspected on: December 23, 2015
Inspection finding: Yellow (Conditional)
Number of infractions: 3 (Significant: 3)
Crucial infractions include: N/A

Tea Shop 168 (377 Yonge Street)
Inspected on: December 22, 2015
Inspection finding: Yellow (Conditional)
Number of infractions: 6 (Minor: 4, Significant: 1, Crucial: 1)
Crucial infractions include: Operator fail to ensure food is not contaminated/adulterated.

Pizza Pizza (1300 Finch Avenue West)
Inspected on: December 22, 2015
Inspection finding: Yellow (Conditional)
Number of infractions: 2 (Minor: 4, Significant: 1)
Crucial infractions include: N/A

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

Last night marked Toronto's first snowfall of the season. As the snow fell we reached out to our Twitter and Instagram followers to capture the moments of Toronto's first dusting. As a result countless entries of a snow covered city rolled in. While the snow already seems to be melting away this morning it was nice to finally see a white Toronto.

Here are your photos of Toronto's first snowfall of the season.

Photo by @jamaalism.

Photo by @iggriffero.

Photo by @maryamast.

Photo by @corymainland.

Photo by @lannon787.

Photo by @rocksiroller.

Photo by @melissamachnik.

Photo by @j.oyc.

Photo by @ams2424.

Photo by @briancrosby.

Photo by @mich_eleanor.

Photo by @michaeljosephboisvert.

Top photo by Stilez via Twitter.

We've been relatively lucky weather-wise in Toronto so far thanks to this year's super El Nino. But you're sorely mistaken if you thought we'd get off scot-free. Yes, winter has arrived and snow is on the ground.

The City of Toronto sends its fleet of 600 snow plows, 300 sidewalk plows and 200 salt trucks out to combat icy and snowy conditions. These vehicles are responsible for cleaning up expressways, major roads and local streets. Although remember, homeowners are usually responsible for clearing snow from sidewalks.

As a City of Toronto news release says: "In the central core of the city, property owners are required to clear their sidewalks of snow 12 hours after a storm has taken place." If you don't comply, you can face up to a $125 fine.

Luckily, there are numerous private companies that'll do the work for you. And new for this year are Uber-like plowing services that connect you with licensed and insured snow removal companies through a mobile application.

The easyplow app is currently available in Toronto while Eden, as the Globe and Mail reports, is launching in the 905-area suburbs.

Instead of risking it and paying a snow removal company at the beginning of the season, these apps let you hire a private plowing service only when you need it.

Photo by scarboroughcruiser in the blogTO Flickr pool.

Part pizzeria, bakery and Italian bodega, this casual new spot serves up wood-fired thin-crust pizza made by a former Terroni pizzaiolo as well as panini using freshly baked bread made in house.

Read my profile of Mattachioni in the restaurants section.

In Toronto's north end, $2.5 million buys you a modern two-storey with four bedrooms, six bathrooms, a long driveway and attached garage. Located at 87 Otonabee Avenue near Yonge and Steeles, the property was rebuilt in 2015 by Upside Developments and architect firm Linebox Studios.

A space for both work and play, the house, situated on a corner lot, was designed with an abundance of natural light and a transparent staircase that acts as a partition and showpiece. A few features worth noting include a dual-sided fireplace and extensive wine fridge in the kitchen, and a spacious laundry room located on the upper level, not hidden away in the basement.

At 3,300 square feet, those living in a narrow row house might be salivating at the space. The North York location isn't for everyone, but living in the 'burbs has its benefits. Bigger lot sizes, a larger backyard (sometimes a pool), and street parking is readily available for guests.

SPECS

• Address: 87 Otonabee Avenue
• Price: $2,488,000
• Lot Size: 61 x 100 FT
• Bedrooms: 4+1
• Bathrooms: 6
• Parking: 4
• Taxes: $4,600 (2015)
• Walk Score: 73
• Listing Agent: Paul Johnston

NOTABLE FEATURES

• Approx. 3,300 square feet
• Skylights
• Heated floors
• Scavolini kitchen and wine fridge
• Glass staircase
• Dual-sided fireplace
• Home theatre and wet bar
• Driveway and attached garage

GOOD FOR

A mudroom. You don't get a mudroom when you live downtown. The suburban-style home offers a separate place to store those muddy shoes and a large front closest that proves useful when the snow hits.

MOVE ON IF

You want ultimate walkability. While you're close to Centrepoint Mall and Finch subway station isn't too far, you won't enjoy the same amenities as you would in, say, the Annex. But that's the compromise you make for a big and beautiful modern space.

ADDITIONAL PHOTOS

Like this modern dwelling? Have your say in the comments section.

Thanks to Bosley Real Estate Ltd, Brokerage for sponsoring our House of the Week. All content and editorial selected and written by blogTO.

Toronto-based photographer Justin Main is on a mission: he's posting one photo per day for an entire year. While this may sound easy, Main spends up to 10 hours editing his work on Photoshop to create surreal images that often make a statement on current events or pop cultural phenomena.

This is Main's second project 365 and he's currently on day 46 - he started on November 14. He posts all of his daily photos to his Facebook page and also puts many of them on Instagram and on his web site as well.

Along with this personal undertaking, Main say he's also shot a few NBA teams, including the Raptors and the New York Knicks, and his work has appeared in a number of publications.

Since Main lives here, many of photographs feature Toronto-centric imagery, most notably of course, the CN Tower. Check out more of his work below.

All photos courtesy Justin Main.

The most exciting real estate developments in Toronto for 2016 represent the evolution of a city in the midst of a building boom, one that continues to chug along without signs of slowing down. If there's a trend to be spotted in the most promising of buildings to be completed next year, it's the sensitivity to heritage elements these projects show. Gone are the days when we demolished first and asked questions later.

These are my picks for the most exciting real estate developments to be completed in 2016.

Broadview Hotel
Will the redevelopment of the Broadview Hotel make Riverside an even more sought after neighbourhood than it already is? It sure seems like it. This hybrid hotel/restaurant project aims to do what the Gladstone and Drake did for West Queen West in the early 2000s. No matter what, the building that once housed Jilly's is going to generate huge buzz when it re-opens.

The Canary District
With the Pan Am Games in the books, we can finally look forward to the true birth of the Canary District, which will begin to open this spring. Condo units once used for the Athletes' Village will be open for occupancy in just a few months, while a brand new YMCA and a host of retail is also slated to arrive in 2016.

FIVE Condos
The at grade retail affiliated with this condo project at 5 St. Joseph Street has already started to open, and boy does it bode well for the development as a whole. The heritage buildings at the base of the tower have been masterfully restored, and the soon-to-be-complete condo is a breath of fresh air for those bored with the city's propensity to build basic glass boxes.

Guild Inn
The Guild Inn has sat neglected for too long. The long forgotten site in Scarborough will once again be used as an event space and cultural hub as existing buildings are restored and new ones are added to the bucolic grounds. The new complex will surely be one of the nicest event venues to open in Toronto next year.

Globe and Mail Centre
The Globe and Mail Centre has already started to take shape on King East, though it will take most of 2016 to do all that's necessary to complete the project. Nevertheless, one can get a sense of the scale of this new development and the density that it'll bring to Corktown. Along with the newspaper headquarters, a score of new retail will be added to the King East Centre.

Add your most anticipated real estate developments in the comments.

Today in Toronto it's time to discover some new bands. The Silver Dollar Room, The Horseshoe Tavern, and the Drake are all hosting live shows that will introduce you to up and coming indie acts. If you're already a music buff, head to the Gladstone Melody Bar to show your skills at Music Bingo.

For more events, click on over to our events section.

• What's in the Box (Drake Hotel)
• Music Bingo (Gladstone Melody Bar)
• Gen Gorman, Mourning Sun & JASCO (SIlver Dollar Room)
• Running Violet (Horseshoe Tavern)
• Deez Laughs presents Chestnuts Roasting (Comedy Bar)

Have an event you'd like to plug? Submit your own listing to the blogTO Toronto events section.

Photo of Mourning Sun via their Facebook page.

King Falafel has always made me feel at home in my neighbourhood. It is one of those places that stays the same as everything outside of it changes. The faded posters of Morocco on the walls, falafel for $3.80, customers with greyer hair each time I see them, and the Rifi family smiling and never failing to ask me "Spicy?".

In the 1970s, relatively new to Canada from Morocco, Abderazzak and Jamila Rifi noticed a lack of freshly made falafel and halal food in Toronto. In 1978, they opened the first shop in the new plaza on the south west corner of Bathurst and Eglinton. King Falafel was born and their daughter Noseiba was born soon after.

For the next 37 years, the family commuted everyday from Mississauga to Forest Hill to serve freshly made falafel and shawarma. Noseiba started frying falafel when she was 13. The parents would work during the day and Noseiba and one of her sisters would run the restaurant at night.

Customers who first starting coming in middle school now bring their children. It was not only the Rifi's second home, but the second home to a lot of customers.

"We are known in this neighbourhood," Noseiba tells me, "I come to visit my mom every week. I see customers that have been coming here for 20 years, since I was little. And other people coming here know each other. So it's like a connection within a connection."

Nine years ago the family lost Abderazzak (always known as Rifi). Their husband, father, and rock. But they kept going, keeping the business alive.

About 18 months ago they received a letter from the owner of the plaza, The Milestone Group, saying that Metrolinx is taking over in March 2016. The plaza will be demolished, used as a parking lot for the subway construction vehicles for the next five years, and then a condo will be built. There is nothing they can do.

December 31st will be the last day for King Falafel.

I encourage you to visit, grab a falafel, and say goodbye to Jamila before she heads back home to Tangiers for a well deserved and much overdue visit.

"Now I have some time. Nothing to think about," Jamila tells me as she prepares a customer's falafel, "The first time I can relax since my husband passed away. What can we do? Life is too short sometimes."

In addition to all of the remaining falafel, everything in the store is also for sale. Everything from the shawarma rotisserie down to the timeless silver Moroccan tea sets. Some of the Moroccan posters have already been purchased by longtime customers.

Noseiba is optimistic about reopening a new location in the future, "I would want to open up a new one. We have all of the recipes in our hearts, but my mom does it the best. Everything is in her head."

We all have our own King Falafels in our neighbourhoods. Thank you for all the years, meals, and feels. Long live the King. 1978-2015.

Writing by Ryan Collins-Swartz. Photos by Ryan Collins-Swartz and Abigail Ainsworth.

Toronto's top crop of buildings from 2015 was bolstered by the arrival of the Pan Am Games, which graced the city with a variety of legacy projects. But it was our university campuses that were the major beneficiaries of new structures this year, with stunning projects coming to fruition at Ryerson, York, Centennial College, and U of T Scarborough.

These are my picks for the top buildings to arrive in Toronto this year.

Scarborough Civic Library
Toronto's 100th library might just be its nicest, complete with soaring windows and exposed wood beams. The LGA Architectural Partners-designed space is as stunning on the inside as it is from outside and will surely age well given its minimalist but warm design.

Bergeron Centre
My pick for the most beautiful facade of the year, the new Bergeron Centre is no slouch when it comes to well-designed interior space. Nicknamed the cloud, the entire building flows seamlessly from one learning space to the next. This is a big deal for York University with the subway on the way in 2017. Perhaps the campus has finally turned the corner on the architectural front.

Ryerson Student Learning Centre
Two words: indoor beach. Expectations were high for the new Student Learning Centre at Ryerson if only because of the historical baggage the building carried from the start. As it turns out, the replacement for Sam the Record Man is a lovely addition to Yonge and Gould, and the old neon sign will find a better home atop Yonge-Dundas Square.

Pan Am Athletes' Village
Soon to be the Canary District, the Pan Am Athletes' Village served as a noble host space for the thousands of competitors who visited Toronto for the Games this summer. The pool and athletic space will become a YMCA, the athletes' housing is soon-to-open as condos and rental units, and an entire neighbourhood has been added to the city's east side.

Queen Richmond Centre
The soaring 70 foot atrium punctuated by x-shaped delta frames that hoist the Queen Richmond Centre above existing heritage structures is certainly a showstopper. This is yet another example of how Toronto is slowly learning to make heritage preservation an advantage to new structures. Full marks to Sweeny & Co. for the design.

Centennial College Student Hub
Another enviable academic space to arrive in Toronto this year, the student hub at Centennial College functions as a library, study space, and to announce the campus in a similar way that Graduate House does for U of T. It's a sleek glass structure that has immediately become the nicest that the school boasts.

Scarborough Pan Am Centre
Toronto's former suburbs had a banner year for development in 2015, with Scarborough's Pan Am Centre one of the crown jewels. Adorned with BGLs vertical swimming pool installation in front, the space actually excels in more pragmatic areas, with an Olympic-sized stadium pool and diving facilities as well as a climbing wall, running track, and a shiny basketball court.

Theatre Park
One of the more recognizable buildings to grace the Toronto skyline this year, the zig-zag pattern of the facade of Theatre Park is both iconic and subtle. Toronto's glass condos don't always hit the mark, but this one gets two thumbs up.

River City Phase 2
My vote for the most interesting ongoing residential development in Toronto, River City is now two thirds complete. The second phase might not be quite as bold as the soon-to-be-built final stage, but compared to other Toronto condos, the architectural vision on display here from Saucier+Perrotte is as understated as it is inventive (the in-room amenities alone blow most conventionally designed condos out of the water).

Ice Condos
Possibly the most controversial addition to this list, Ice Condos (top photo) won't be to everyone's aesthetic taste, but for residential skyscrapers, their design is at least ambitious. The Swiss cheese-like crown atop each building just looks cool, and their rounded edges set the development apart from so many of Toronto's boxy glass towers.

What did I miss? Add your picks for Toronto's nicest new buildings in the comments.

Lead photo by Tom Ryaboi.

Some well loved (and lesser-loved) Toronto shops, restaurants, cafes and other local businesses closed this past year. While the most high profile flameouts might have been Future Shop and Target there were a slew of smaller establishments that we also bid farewell to over the past 12 months including some longstanding Toronto institutions.

Here's a roundup of some of the notable Toronto businesses that closed in 2015.

TORONTO INSTITUTIONS

Active Surplus
After over 30 years on Queen West, the unique, miscellaneous electronics shop has vacated the area.

Daiters
The creamery and appetizing store on Bathurst joined the deadpool this year after five decades in business.

Guvernment
The entertainment complex threw a final blow out party in January 2015.

Just Desserts
Once a thriving chain of dessert cafes, the last surviving location shut down in July.

King Falafel
After 38 years in business, this Middle Eastern take-out shop in Forest Hill will serve its last falafel on New Year's Eve.

O'Connor Bowl
The 24-lane complex closed this year just shy of its 65th birthday. This condo is rising in its place.

Rancho Relaxo
The long-time College Street institution gave way to the opening of the Old Laurel when it packed it in and served its last margarita in August. Fear not, this Mexican eatery is due for a resurrection, re-opening at the corner of Edwin and Dupont in the new year.

Splendido
New Year's Eve is the final blow out for this Harbord restaurant famous for its tasting menu and fine service. Chef and owner Victor Barry will shutter the 25-year-old Toronto institution in order to pursue "work-life balance," writes the Globe

St. Andrew Poultry
The Kensington Market stalwart had been in business since 1962, but suddenly shuttered right before Thanksgiving and even left a few customers in the lurch when they came to pick-up their pre-ordered turkeys.

Velvet Underground
The name is going to live on but the goth club will be converted into a revamped live music venue after 20 years on Queen West.

Zimmerman's
The Kensington Market stalwart announced its closure late last year and shut the doors to the discount emporium at the onset of the new year.

BARS

The Geraldine
The sultry cocktail parlour in Parkdale closed in August just short of its two year anniversary.

The Charlotte Room
The pool hall shut down in April after 17 years in business. Lucky for billiards fans, The Roxy Bar has picked up where it left off.

Crush Wine Bar
The longtime fixture on King West shuttered in June after an almost 13 year run, and is now home to Fring's, an abomination of burgers and bottle service owned by homegrown celebs.

The Sister
The Parkdale watering hole shut down in February and was newly re-christened as The Tennessee by spring.

Souz Dal
The popular Little Italy Tiki bar is out of commission and soon to be replaced by a new craft beer bar from the same team behind Bar Volo.

CAFES

Sam James Coffee Bar
The hole-in-the-wall coffee shop on Ossington has been squeezed out of this neighbourhood by American retailer Shinola. The cash-only cafe closed up shop on Christmas Eve.

Sense Appeal
The massive cafe and coffee roasting operation shut down two Toronto locations after owners parted ways in March.

Seven Grams Espresso Bar
The popular Yorkville-area cafe closed this fall after a nearly five year run.

The Slow Room
The tiny coffee shop at College and Ossington suddenly found itself in a sea of competing indie cafes this year and called it quits.

Moo Milk Bar
Cookie lovers in The Beach(es) will mourn this mainstay, known for cookies, flavoured milk and ice cream sandwiches.

RESTAURANTS

Happy Hooker
The fish shop on Dundas West was once home to a solid selection of oyster po'boys and fish tacos, but quality had been sinking prior to its close. The Pie Commission popped-up in its place soon after.

Amaya the Indian Room
The restaurant on Bayview closed in July only to be later reborn as the Indian Street Food Co.

The Atlantic
Not even a Million Dollar Review could keep Chef Nathan Isberg's interest piqued in running a conventional eatery. The restaurant operated on a pay-what-you-want model and had done away with booze, but Isberg still found the concept unfulfilling.

Babur
After two decades on Queen West, this Indian restaurant shuttered in the fall when chef Rajendra Wadhawan retired.

Black Skirt
This charming southern Italian restaurant on College St. served white anchovy crostini and made one excellent Amaretto Sour. It shuttered this summer and is soon to be replaced by a new concept from the Playa Cabana family of restaurants.

Catch
The sustainable seafood spot on St. Clair just couldn't sustain itself.

Celline Garden
Leslieville's oldest Chinese restaurant closed its doors this past spring and has since been replaced by The Thirsty Duck, a Haligonian-inspired bar.

Czehoski
After a decade in business on Queen West, this popular restaurant shuttered in October.

Destingo
The casual Italian eatery on West Queen West couldn't seem to attract enough attention even with its awesome street side patio.

Enzo Pizza Bar
The West Queen West pizzeria is among few on this list moving on to bigger and better things. The restaurant was bought by an American hospitality group, and while it's deadpool in Toronto, the restaurant will live on in Los Angeles and Mexico.

Essen
The closure of this Jewish restaurant on Dundas West made me all verklempt. Alas, I got over it when the Saucy Pierogi moved in after.

Fishbar
Fans of sustainable seafood were left gutted when this restaurant on Ossington went belly up at the end of June when the landlord locked them out due to unpaid rent.

Gilead Cafe
Jamie Kennedy's Corktown restaurant shuttered this year and is now home-base for Feast lunch delivery service.

The Grilled Cheese
This sandwich shop in Kensington Market shut down amidst allegations of shady business practices and unpaid wages. New owners took over and promptly reinstated a grilled cheese-centric outlet in the neighbourhood.

Hot Beans
The vegan takeout counter in Kensington Market served its last burrito before spring even arrived. The address is now home to vegan Caribbean eatery, Veggie D'Light.

Hudson Kitchen
The promising restaurant opened amidst the glitz and glamour of TIFF but closed its doors in mid January 2015. Now you'll find Old School occupying the same Dundas West address.

The Huntsman Tavern
Joining the streak of short-lived establishments at this address (Mitzi's and Red Fish among them), this comfy public house has closed and been replaced by Fat City Blues.

Loire
First Tati and now this. It's almost as if Harbord Village (and its multi-million dollar duplexes) can't sustain a French bistro.

Osteria dei Ganzi
The Italian restaurant housed in a historic mansion in Church Wellesley Village quietly closed its doors - forever ending hope of another In-N-Out pop-up.

Porzia
This Italian restaurant in Parkdale went deadpool without warning in November. Chef Basilio Pesce remarked of the closure that "It's time to close this chapter and move on to what's next."

Rock Lobster (Leslieville)
The east side arm of this seafood restaurant called it quits after just one year in business. The Queen East address is now home to PO Box 1192.

Sadie's Diner
The vegetarian brunch destination on Adelaide closed in June when owner Al Ridley retired.

Swan
This popular West Queen West diner served its last brunch in March and was then acquired by Anthony Rose who preserved the interior and the name.

This End Up
The late night snack/cocktail bar on Dundas West was once home to the Better Mac, a totally awesome upgrade on McD's signature offering. The place closed its doors after a three year run and has been replaced by Antler.

THR & Co.
Cory Vitiello's 60-seat dining room on Harbord Street is soon to be replaced by his fast casual concept, Flock, which specializes in rotisserie chicken and salads.

Trimurti
That little pocket of great Indian food on Queen West is thinner than ever with the closure of Trimurti too.

The Vegan Duchess
The vegan eatery closed up shop at Yonge & Eglinton this fall and has since revamped its business model as a raw vegan catering, juice cleanse and meal delivery service.

Vita Sociale
Formerly high profile Centro, this restaurant had been revamped as a casual, accessible Italian eatery but found itself shuttered just a week into 2015.

RETAILERS

Bicyclette
The retail shop on West Queen West closed up shop in February this year and moved sales to online only.

Cabaret Vintage
The vintage shop on Queen West has been dealing in flapper dresses for 20 years, but will become a relic of its own at the end of the year.

The Film Buff
The video store on Roncy shuttered in December after a nearly two decade run.

Noble Hop
The home brew supply shop quietly shut its doors back in October.

Vortex Records
After nearly 40 years in business, the record shop sang its swan song.

What did I miss? Add your notable Toronto businesses that closed this year in the comments.