CABBAGETOWN NEIGHBOURHOOD
REVIEW
NEIGHBOURHOOD UPDATES
502 - 508 Parliament
Renovations here have been slow but finally the outside tarps are down and the exterior is visible. Work continues on the interior with an opening targeted for Spring 2023. The finished buildings will have forty units comprised of single rooms with kitchenette facilities. People with homeless problems will be priority residents. Dixon Hall will provide a wide range of supports for them. A property management team will also be available on a 24-hour basis.
Condo at 227 Gerrard E
The Beer Store on this site has closed in preparation for the construction of the Georgian condos. It’ll rise seven storeys and contain 107 residential units and three street-level retail spaces. The developer has engaged in extensive consultations with the local community. A few questions remain about the future Beer Store space. It’ll occupy 7000 square feet. Residents have asked that its windows be clear and open and that the retail and bottle returns be contained in two distinct spaces. There are ongoing concerns about a proposed drive-in area with an elevator - the space will be open to anyone who wants to enter it.
Daycare at Sackville
The building at Sackville and Amelia (459-461 Sackville) is being converted into a daycare centre. The owner, Robert Ulicki, has all the necessary municipal and provincial permits to proceed. He did, however, encounter delays with the final permit from the City of Toronto. He also has to navigate the pricing models that he faces. A new, for-profit daycare like his will be listed at the most expensive level for parents enrolling their children. Renovations are proceeding.
292 - 296 Parliament
This building was purchased by the City of Toronto in the summer of 2021. It’s been successfully converted into 24 self-contained affordable housing units managed by St Jude Community Homes for people who are at risk of homelessness. Funding for the purchase and renovations came from the City and federal government. Operating funding is supported by the province.
Daniels on Parliament
This condo project at Gerrard and Parliament is the final one being developed by Daniels in Regent Park. Construction is underway and sales are being registered. The corner building will rise ten storeys. The website says that it’s coming in the Fall 2025. For more info about unit sizes and prices, visit the project’s website.
Reports still to come
Several other significant projects will be covered in coming weeks - the women’s respite centre at 233 Carlton and the former Oban Flats development at Gerrard and Sherbourne.
LOCAL NEWS
Volunteers needed
The popular Tour of Homes returns in September. Check out the Tour's website for more details. Volunteers are being recruited to support the Tour in each home. If you’re interested, please complete the Contact Form here.
The Beer Store is closed
The one at 227 Gerrard at Ontario. It’s the start of the construction of the Georgian condos on this site. Thirsty people can still go to 28 River Street and 534 Parliament - both stores also handle bottle returns. Beer connoisseurs can drop in to the Beer Store boutique at 41 Mill Street in the Distillery - this location sells a major selection of craft beers. (Photo: Jordan Allison)
Who can resist another puppy
Max (the human) has been adopted by Dexter. Dexter is now almost three months old and he’s growing like lightning. He’s going to be a big guy. He’s a genuine puppy - he’s full of energy and nipping everything in sight.
Outdoor skating rinks
The City of Toronto operates three rinks in our area - Regent Park (480 Shuter), Riverdale Park East (550 Broadview) and Sherbourne Commons (61 Dockside). Check the City’s lists before heading out to the rink - weather conditions may affect the ice.
Lookin’ good
On December 20, Olympic gold medalists Sydney Payne (right) and Kristina Walker (left) served as Cannon Dolls in the National Ballet’s 2022 Nutcracker. They joined other celebrities who have danced throughout this year’s season. The photo below shows them at their artistic best.
(Photos: National Ballet at the top and Kelly Rogers at the bottom)
Sally’s final Tidbits
Sally Gibson wrote two extra Tidbits for us just before her death last month. This week’s Tidbit is the first of them. It’s a sequel to the one that she wrote about turn-of-the-century Chinese laundries. The next Tidbit will appear on our regular schedule in two weeks.
Cabbagetown Regent Park Museum Historical Tidbit
COMING EVENTS
Marilyn’s nail clinic
Marilyn’s regular monthly nail clinic for your pets. Saturday January 7 at Pet Valu (240 Carlton), 9 am to 4 pm. Bring your pals - she’s handled cats, dogs, Guinea pigs and rabbits. She often has a full schedule for the day so she asks you to make an appointment. Call her at (416) 920-6814 for a reservation. $12, cash please.
IN THE MEDIA
Family Health Teams
Kelly Grant has written a Globe & Mail story about the effectiveness of Family Health Teams and their renewal this year. The clinics at St Michael’s Hospital Family Health Team are examples that she draws on. Click here to read her story. (Photo: Yader Guzman/Globe & Mail)
Cafe Zuzu
Narcity asked six top chefs to list their favourite new Toronto restaurants. Cafe Zuzu (555 Dundas) is on the list, chosen by Nuit Regular, executive chef and co-owner of Kiin, “It's such a great space in the neighbourhood: people can come meet up with friends, grab a quick bite to eat, or do some work. I also admire their community outreach programs.” Click here to read the article. (Photo: Narcity)
THEATRE & DANCE NEWS - JANUARY
Coming in January
Aki Studio (Daniels Spectrum, 585 Dundas E) - Martyr
January 13 to 29
Alumnae Theatre (70 Berkeley) - Vanya & Sonia & Masha & Spike. January 20 to February 4.
Canadian Stage (26 Berkeley) - Miigis: Underwater Panther
January 22 to January 29
Citadel + Compagnie (304 Parliament) - La Complainte du Givre
January 12 to 14.
RESTAURANT NEWS
Momo Ghar on Parliament Street
Taste tested yesterday - the potato momo and the house sauce are both great. They’re just opening and they’ve got beef, pork, chicken and cabbage momo on the menu. Take your pick - boiled, deep fried and pan fried. A full list is coming soon with items like butter chicken momo and tandoori momo. The room is bright and cheery with banners and lots of colour. Lower level, 568 Parliament.
Weekly tequila tastings
El Catrin (18 Tank House Lane, Distillery) is offering tequila and dinner tastings every Tuesday starting on January 10. Unique bottles are paired with traditional menus. To see the weekly specials, click here and scroll to the bottom of the page.
WEEKLY CALENDAR - CLUBS & PUBS
THURSDAY JANUARY 5 TO SUNDAY JANUARY 15
- For contact info about these clubs and restaurants, see the list at the bottom of this page.
THURSDAY JANUARY 5
Dominion
7 pm, Pubstumpers Trivia
Bolokelen Malinke Percussion
7:30 pm, Group drumming classes for beginners with Anna Melnikoff
FRIDAY JANUARY 6
Alice’s Place
9 pm, Karaoke
Super Bargain
10 pm, DJ Shamz
Wing House
9 pm, Karaoke
SATURDAY JANUARY 7
Bolokelen Malinke Percussion
Noon, traditional West African drumming classes with Amadou Kienou
Dominion
7 pm, Live music
SUNDAY JANUARY 8
Dominion
6 pm, Dinner and 7 pm stand-up comedy
MONDAY JANUARY 9
Stout Irish Pub
7 pm, Headscratchers Trivia
TUESDAY JANUARY 10
Stout Irish Pub
7 pm, Headscratchers Trivia
WEDNESDAY JANUARY 11
Bolokelen Malinke Percussion
7:30 pm, traditional West African drumming classes with Amadou Kienou
THURSDAY JANUARY 12
Dominion
7 pm, Pubstumpers Trivia
Bolokelen Malinke Percussion
7:30 pm, Group drumming classes for beginners with Anna Melnikoff
El Catrin
6:30 pm, Tequila and dinner tasting events.
FRIDAY JANUARY 13
Alice’s Place
9 pm, Karaoke
Super Bargain
10 pm, DJ Shamz
Wing House
9 pm, Karaoke
SATURDAY JANUARY 14
Bolokelen Malinke Percussion
Noon, traditional West African drumming classes with Amadou Kienou
Dominion
7 pm, Live music
SUNDAY JANUARY 15
Dominion
6 pm, Dinner and 7 pm stand-up comedy
CONTACT INFO
Alice’s Place - 554 Parliament
Bolokelen Malinke Percussion - 243 Gerrard E
Cranberries - 601 Parliament
Dominion - 500 Queen E
El Catrin - 18 Tank House Lane, Distillery
House on Parliament - 454 Parliament
NJ Lounge - 507 Parliament
Stout Irish Pub - 221 Carlton
Super Bargain - 441 Parliament
Wing House - 420 Parliament
