CABBAGETOWN NEIGHBOURHOOD REVIEW: April 2

This week’s image: the playground in Wellesley Park is taped and off-limits.

CABBAGETOWN

NEIGHBOURHOOD

REVIEW

FEATURED LOCAL ARTISTS

Every week, a new image in the right hand column highlights the work of a local artist.

Throughout April, Bev Jenkins will be featured.

She focuses on nature and its strengths of light, vivid colour and texture. Her thickly applied oils are sculpted in a neo-impressionist style. Bev was trained in Fine Arts at U of T and then in Film & Photographic Arts at Ryerson. Her works belong to collections in Canada, Australia, China, Switzerland, the UK and the USA.

Her Bluebell Forest was displayed at the prestigious Royal Academy of Arts Summer Exhibition in London, UK. Another version of this image is her first entry for April.

LOCAL NEWS

Wellesley Park

The playground is next to the site for the annual Forsythia Festival. This year’s event has been cancelled. They’ll be back.

COVID-19 contact info

Toronto Public Health has a useful website with the latest information, resources and facts.

Public Health at the City of Toronto (416-338-7600)

Telehealth Ontario (1-866-797-0000).

Cleo’s delivery service

Cleo Pettigrew Brown is organizing a delivery service for seniors and disabled people who are stuck in their homes during the COVID-19 shutdown. She’ll pickup groceries and pharmacy items and deliver them at no charge. She’s using a heavy-duty touring bike capable of carrying between 40 and 50 pounds. She’ll leave the delivery on the doorstep and collect payment from the mailbox.

Cheers, Spruce Street

Neighbours along the east end of Spruce are planning a front-yard cocktail party. Bring your own bottle. Don’t leave home - just come out of your house and sit on your porch. Chat with your nearby friends and neighbours. Friday at 6 pm.

Chartwell is hiring

Nahid at The Sumach (146 Sumach) is looking for people who want to work as nurses, care and personal support workers, cooks and servers, housekeepers and reception and administration staff. These are good jobs immediately available - a nice opportunity for people who have been laid off their regular jobs during the COVID-19 crisis. Check it out online here.

Congrats Aberdeen Ave

Most of Aberdeen’s residents came out to their front porches to salute frontline and healthcare workers at 7:30 on Monday evening. They banged pots, shouted out and made lots of noise in celebration of their efforts.

Earth Hour tour in Cabbagetown South

Last week’s self-guided tour of Cabbagetown South during Earth Hour included a number of notable historic homes. You can still see the route and make a copy from the link on the Association’s website.

It’s a great way to learn more about the heritage of this neighbourhood. It starts at The Beer Store parking lot (Gerrard and Ontario). The various homes are described on the Tour notes.

Please remember to keep the proper distance away from others while enjoying your walk.

Corktown’s egg hunt

The annual Easter Egg Hunt in Corktown Common is a neighbourhood success. It is, unfortunately, cancelled this year because of COVID-19.

Cabbagetown Farmer’s Market

Market organizers have issued a call for interested vendors for this summer’s market. That’s a good sign. The market was scheduled to start on June 2 but that probably won’t happen - the City has banned all public gatherings in its parks until the end of June. Organizers have noted that they’re searching for alternate dates in the light of the COVID-19 crisis.

Hidden Gardens & Private Spaces

The Spring garden tour scheduled for Sunday June 14 has been cancelled. The Cabbagetown Preservation Association announced the cancellation and the new date planned for 2021. Volunteers and gardeners who signed up for 2020 are gratefully thanked - please stay for next year’s Tour.

Dog walking

Both the City of Toronto and the provincial government have closed off-leash dog walking facilities in the city’s parks. This ban includes the playing fields at Riverdale Park West and Corktown Common. Please also avoid any groups who may be tempted to get together for a regular chat. We’re reminded to keep a social distance when we meet other people.

On-leash dog walking is permissible on sidewalks, in parks and elsewhere as part of our daily routines.

Social distances in the park

Complaints have arisen about people gathering near the wading pool in Riverdale Park. Many have their young children with them. Apparently, adults know how to stay apart but the kids don’t.

Cabbagetown Regent Park Museum Historical Tidbit

Image: Eaton’s catalogue 1917, Internet Archive

by Sally Gibson

Hoarding toilet paper during COVID-19 isolation has left store shelves bare, bare bottoms cared for and commentators puzzled. During the Spanish flu of 1918 – 1919, however, TP was probably not an item of such widespread concern. Certainly, in Cabbagetown, where outdoor “privies” were still common, the Eaton’s catalogue was more likely to do the job.

For more Cabbagetown history, photos and videos visit the Museum’s Facebook page

BUSINESS NEWS

Support your community

Buy a gift card from your favourite local restaurants and businesses. It’s a great way to give the business some money up-front. You can always redeem it for a meal or a purchase at a later time and get your full value.

Banking news

ATMs - all local banking services have ATMs and they're available at all hours.

Meridian's Cabbagetown Branch (486 Parliament) is temporarily closed. Local customers can use the services at its Danforth and Logan branch (477 Danforth) while this disruption is going on.

CIBC's Banking Centre (245 Carlton) has also closed.

TD (493 Parliament) has limited hours - 10 am to 4 pm Monday to Friday and 11 am to 4 pm on Saturday.

RBC (480 Dundas E), open for regular business hours - 10 am to 4 pm, Monday to Friday.

Congrats for good management

A number of our more popular shops have started to control the flow of customers. Absolute Bakery (489 Parliament) limits one customer at a time in the store. House on Parliament (454 Parliament) is using a front window as a takeout spot instead of trying to accommodate a lineup inside the pub. No Frills (449 Parliament) and the TD Bank (493 Parliament) both have a lineup system outside with a staff person controlling the flow. Home Hardware (485 Parliament) has shortened its business hours - 9 am to 2 pm daily, closed on Sundays.

Spruce

Kim at Spruce (455 Parliament) has boarded up her windows. She regrets that she has to take this step but she’s had several close calls with break-ins and she feels that this precautionary measure is needed to protect her store.

She’s been updating her website. She’s also now offering free porch-drop delivery (lobby delivery in condos) in Toronto on Mondays and Thursdays. She’s taking serious care preparing your order. Her store and all her products have been disinfected. Her parcels are disinfected and she packed them while wearing gloves. Check out her inventory and her order system online.

Bring back your empties

Starting on Monday April 6, one local Beer Store (227 Gerrard E) is again taking back empties. Store hours for this operation are 10 am to 4 pm, Monday to Saturday and noon to 5 pm on Sunday.

As personal protective equipment becomes available and the workload allows, more stores will be added. At this time, the Parliament Street Beer Store (534 Parliament), the Distillery store (41 Mill St) and the River Street store (28 River) are not accepting empties.

Beer and liquor

Beer Store - Parliament Street store (534 Parliament) 10 to 7 pm Monday to Saturday and 11 to 6 Sundays. Gerrard Street store (228 Gerrard E), Distillery store (41 Mill St) and the River Street store (28 River) are all open from 10 to 7 pm Monday to Saturday and 11 to 6 Sundays

LCBO (512 Parliament), Tuesday to Sunday, 11 am to 6 pm, closed Mondays.

Longslice Brewery - the retail store (484 Front) is open daily from 11 am to 11 pm. Home delivery on Monday (order deadline previous Sunday) and Friday (order deadline on previous Thursday). E-transfers only. Call 647.352.SUDS or email info@aviarybrewpub.com

Mill Street Brewery - You can order beer from Mill Street Brewery (21 Tankhouse Lane, Distillery) for home delivery. Next day service, seven days a week, free on orders over $50.

OPEN NOW

Call your favourite store for details. This list is current to Thursday April 2. Check back here regularly - as more info becomes available, it’ll be added to the list

Animal services

Cabbagetown Pet Clinic (239 Gerrard), (416) 928-6761.

Parliament Animal Hospital (584 Parliament), (647) 347-3300.

Bay Cat Hospital, (525 King E), (416) 941-8920

Bay Dog Hospital, (525 King E), (416) 941-8920

Menagerie Pet Shop (549 Parliament), (416) 921-4966 - delivery and pickup only.

Pet Valu (240 Carlton), (416) 961-0661 - delivery and pickup only.

Dentists

Clinics are closed. Existing patients can call for emergency services.

Dr Binh Au and Dr Cynthia Sayat, Cabbagetown Dental Clinic, 588 Parliament, (416) 927-7600

Dr Michael Lam, Dentistry on Parliament, 463 Parliament, (416) 960-3311

Dr Peter Shillingford, Owl Dentistry, 470 Parliament (416) 923-7492

Food and grocery

See below for restaurant and pub services.

Ambal Trading (591 Parliament), (416) 928-6665

Brick Street Bakery, (27 Trinity, Distillery), (416) 214-4949

Cabbagetown Organics (499 Parliament)

Epicure Shop (473 Parliament), (416) 928-0291

FreshCo (325 Parliament and 559 Sherbourne)

Lennie’s Health Food (489 Parliament), (416) 920-3777

Matt’s No Frills (449 Parliament)

St James Town Steak & Chops (516 Parliament)

Staij & Co Cafe & Pastry (552 Parliament), (416) 792-2505)

Terroni sud forno (22 Sackville), (416) 368-4248

Velvet Lane Cakes (194 Carlton), (416) 262-4159

Home services

Dollar4U (405 Parliament), (416) 929-4419.

Dollarama (425 Parliament), (416) 944-0536.

Royal Home Hardware (485 Parliament), (416) 924-3921 - delivery and pickup only.

Penguin Pick-up (453 Parliament), (416) 972-6122

Rexall, (539 Parliament), (416) 926-1658

Shoppers Drug Mart - 467 Parliament, 565 Sherbourne, 593 Dundas E, 351 Queen E

RESTAURANT NEWS

Takeout beer, wine and liquor

Takeout and delivery of beer, wine and liquor from restaurants is now legal in Ontario. It can be added to any food order. Check your favourite pub online for availability and prices. Delivery services like UberEats and DoorDash are still slow to agree - they want to observe “contactless” services and they have difficulty with ID and sobriety verifications.

Stout is back

Erin and Paul have opened Stout Irish Pub (221 Carlton) for takeout service. You can pick up your order on Wednesdays to Sundays from noon to 8 pm. Check out the menu online and call (647) 344-7676 to place your order. There’s a big selection of beer and wine available as well.

Haldi

Order a yummy dinner for pick-up from Haldi (568 Parliament) and get a 15% discount on your order. Seniors will get home deliveries free. Call (647) 898-5680. The menu is listed on Haldi’s website.

Staij & Co

Anastasia at Staij & Co (552 Parliament) is offering free delivery for breakfast pastries and Easter goodies. Available Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. Details are listed online.

Good food keeps coming!

House on Parliament (454 Parliament) is offering up a nifty menu for its takeout window. You can add your choice of beer and wine to go with it. Local delivery service from 4 pm is available for $5. Pre-order please at (416) 925-4074. Debit and credit cards only.

The Irv

Check out The Irv (195 Carlton) (647) for takeout and delivery from 4 to 8 pm - snacks, full menu items, beer and wine. Menu details are available on Facebook.

Cyril’s soups and juices

Cyril’s soup for Saturday is a social distance special at $9 - garlic and potato. His juice is apple, celery, kiwi and ginger, $9.

During the current COVID-19 fight, he’s making two changes. First - he’s back to disposable plastic containers and saving the glass ones until the battle is over. Second - he’s urging customers to use e-transfers rather than cash.

He makes two soups every week - on Tuesday and Saturday. He informs interested people about his menus in advance by email. He usually prepares a regular version and vegan one.

His order deadline for Saturday delivery is 5 pm on the previous Thursday and for Tuesday, it’s 5 pm on the previous Sunday. He delivers to his Cabbagetown-area customers. He accepts payments by e-transfers and cash. Email him at abeautifulbowl@gmail.com

RESTAURANTS WITH DELIVERY/TAKEOUT SERVICE

This list was compiled on Thursday April 2. Details change rapidly. Check with your favourite restaurant for its latest information - Facebook and website links are listed here.

If your restaurant isn’t listed, check anyway. It may not be closed. If you see an error or omission, please let us know.

Aviary Brew Pub, 484 Front St E (647-352 7837). Takeout food and beer from Longslice Brewery.

BLCK, 383 Dundas E, (416) 364-6565. Every fifth caller for pickup food service will win a free meal. Home delivery as well.

Butter Chicken Factory, 556 Parliament, (416) 964-7583. Menu is listed on the website.

Chew Chew Diner, 186 Carlton, (416) 924-7583. Take-out and delivery, 7 days a week from 9am to 3pm. Free delivery . Buy 1 get 1 free specials through UberEats, also available on DoorDash and Foodora.

China Gourmet, 235 Carlton, (416) 515-0088. Pickup and delivery - menu online here.

Cranberries, 601 Parliament, (416) 925-6330. Full service menu available from noon to 9 pm. Pick-up only.

Fusilli, 531 Queen E, (416) 214-5148. For pickup, call the restaurant. Delivery with Skip The Dishes and DoorDash. Menu online here.

Gushi, 296 Gerrard E , (437) 241-1710. Pick up only. Visit the website.

Haldi, 568 Parliament - upper level, (647) 898-5680. Save 15% on all takeout orders or get free delivery - menu online here. Available with Uber Eats.

House on Parliament, 454 Parliament, (416) 925-4074. Takeout window at the front of the restaurant. Local deliveries after 4 pm, $5. Check Facebook for menu specials.

The Irv, 195 Carlton, (647), 350-4787. Takeout and delivery from 4 to 8 pm, menu available on Facebook.

Johnny Gs, 478 Parliament, (647) 368-3866. Menu online here.

Kibo, 533 Parliament The menu is listed online.

Kingyo, 51B Winchester, (647) 748-2121. Takeout and delivery menu online here. Delivery with UberEats.

Mill Street Brew Pub, 21 Tankhouse Lane, Distillery, (416) 681-0338 ext 4. Open for takeout from noon to 9 pm. Beer and menu items available - menu is online here.

Peartree, 507 Parliament, (416) 962-8190. Pickup orders available from 12:30 to 10 pm - 15% discount. Menu on the website. Delivery orders through Uber Eats, Skip the Dishes, DoorDash and Foodora.

Phosome, 482 Parliament, (416) 551-6395, delivery with UberEats.

Saigon Pai, 446 Parliament, (416) 920-8424, menu info is online here.

Salt & Tobacco, 521 Parliament, (647) 348-2993. Check out Facebook for menu, delivery and pickup details.

Shalom Ethiopian & Eritrean Restaurant, 587 Parliament, (416) 964-7271. Menu available at the website.

Souk Tabule, Canary Park, (416) 583-5914. Open from 11:30 am to 9 pm. Menu details and delivery service online.

Sweet Escapes, 24 Tankhouse Lane, Distillery, (416) 214-2253. Order by 9 pm online for pickup from noon to 5 pm the next day.

Tender Trap, 580 Parliament, (416) 920-5147. Menu on the website.

Terroni Sud Forno Produzione e Spaccio, 22 Sackville (416) 368-4248. Pick-up. Ready made pasta, prepared pizza kits, groceries, wine, bread and pastries. Every day, 9 am to 6 pm. Menu is online.

Thai Room, 243 Carlton, (647) 352-8424. 20% discount on pickups. Menu, hours and pickup/delivery details are online.

Tilted Dog, 424 Parliament, (416) 961-9425. Order from DoorDash for pickup and delivery from 2 to 9 pm, menu available on Facebook

Tokyo Ramen, 568 Parliament - lower level, (647) 352-1122. Delivery by Skip The Dishes. Hours and menu details online here.

Urban Thai, 415 Parliament, (416) 513-1020. Deliveries with DoorDash. Menu is online here.

Wing Machine, 443 Parliament, (416) 961-1000, delivery by DoorDash.

MARCH & APRIL

THEATRE & DANCE PRODUCTIONS

Listed by starting dates.

Our theatres are now closed following directives from the City’s Public Health staff - Aki Studio, Alumni Theatre, Canadian Contemporary Dance Theatre, Canadian Stage, Citadel, School of Toronto Dance Theatre, Soulpepper, Toronto Dance Theatre.

CLUBS & PUBS – DAILY LISTINGS

THURSDAY APRIL 2 TO SUNDAY APRIL 12

Our restaurants and pubs are now offering only takeout and delivery services. Entertainment and special events have been cancelled until the COVID-19 shutdowns are over.

CONTACT INFO

ALICE'S PLACE

554 Parliament St, (647) 931-9088,

https://www.facebook.com/alicesplacetoronto

ARVO

17 Gristmill Lane, Distillery, (647) 352-2766

CRANBERRIES

601 Parliament St, (416) 925-6330,

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Red-Cranberries-Restaurant/133328393362150

DOMINION PUB & KITCHEN

500 Queen St E, (416) 366-5555,

https://www.facebook.com/DominionTO/