CABBAGETOWN NEIGHBOURHOOD
REVIEW
FEATURED ARTIST
Eric Morse
Cabbagetown Lane, March 2024, photograph. Eric is a Cabbagetown-based photographer. More of his work is shown on Instagram.
LOCAL NEWS
214 - 230 Sherbourne
A three-way struggle is underway about this property. A developer, King Sett Capital, originally bought it and planned to build a condo. A local activist group, 230Fightback, opposed this plan and demanded that the City of Toronto expropriate the land and create affordable, non-profit housing on it. The City has been reluctant about the whole thing - its bid for the property when it was originally for sale was low and King Sett won. Then everything turned around. King Sett agreed in principle to sell the land to the City. 230Fightback was triumphant. Negotiations have, apparently, been happening since last July and may be stalled over the price. 230Fightback is now annoyed and is demanding that the City walk away from King Sett and simply expropriate the property.
Regent Park demolition
Blue fencing has been erected around 325 and 355 Gerrard East and 274 Sackville and also around 319 Gerrard E. Demolition of the properties will begin soon.
They’re the site of Phase Four revitalization that will eventually include all the property south of Gerrard to River Street. Demolition of these buildings is expected to be competed by July.
Tax return clinic
Marci Ien, our Member of Parliament, and the Association of Filipino Canadian Accountants are hosting a tax return clinic on Saturday March 30 from 10 am to 5 pm in the Wellesley Community Centre (495 Sherbourne). Single residents with incomes below $35,000 and Families with income below $45,000 are eligible. Call to register - (416) 346-1166.
Tents in Allan Gardens
Christina Robinson spoke to Mary Hassan in Councillor Moise’s office about progress toward the removal of all the tents in the park. Over 100 people have moved to shelters, permanent homes or wrap-around services. Four residents remain there - two don’t want to move and plans are in place to encourage them to leave. Streets to Homes staff are in the park every day and when newcomers arrive, they discuss options for housing. The “no encampment” signs are taken away regularly and they’re replaced. There’s no solution yet about the Sacred Fire tents.
Tent in Wellesley Park
The tent was removed quickly late last week. One day after local residents contacted the City of Toronto, staff from the Parks Department took it away. (Photo: Peter Kent)
Allan Gardens encampment dashboard
Councillor Chris Moise’s Encampment Dashboard lists 10 people remaining in the park on March 15 - 5 have other housing plans, 3 were moved to other housing and 1 doesn’t want to leave. 6 tents were removed.
Cabbagetown Farmers Market - volunteers needed
The Market (Riverdale Park west, Sumach and Winchester) happens every Tuesday from 3 to 7 pm from May 14 to October 22 and organizers are getting ready. They hope to recruit volunteers who will make each day a success. There are three different tasks where your help is needed - set-up from 1:30 to 3 pm, take-down from 6:45 to 7:45 pm and market support from 3 to 7 pm. Both the set-up and take-down require some physical activity. For more details, email the Market manager with the heading, “Cabbagetown Farmers Market Volunteer”.
Cabbagetown Festival vendors
The Cabbagetown BIA is welcoming applications from street vendors for the 2024 Festival. This year, it’ll happen on Saturday September 7 and Sunday September 8. Categories and prices range from non-profits to national chains. The deadline for early bird prices is May 31. Click here for all the details.
GET READY FOR EASTER
Cranberries Easter dinner
Cranberries is offering another of its popular three-course meals on Easter Sunday, March 31. Two seatings - 5 pm and 7:30 pm. The menu includes butternut squash soup or organic greens salad, roast turkey with the traditional fixings or lamb shank in port wine sauce and sticky toffee pudding. $45. Please call (416) 925-6330 for your reservation.
Easter flowers at Jay’s Garden
Jay’s (358 Gerrard E) is ready to decorate your home with gorgeous floral arrangements - hydrangeas, cut flowers, bulbs and Easter lilies. Garden supplies will be coming soon.
St Jamestown Steak & Chops
Mark at St Jamestown Steak & Chops (516 Parliament) is ready to provide your favourite Easter meals. He’s featuring turkeys, ham, lamb and prime rib. Check it out at the store.
COMING EVENTS
Nowruz Celebration
Friends of Allan Gardens are hosting this event on Saturday, March 23 from 1 to 4 pm in the Children’s Conservatory (19 Horticultural Ave). It’s open to everyone. It’s focused on sharing Iranian culture and celebrating the arrival of Spring and Summer. Anahita Nayeli will perform the Hoor dance. There’ll be a musical workshop for kids by Diaram and Mozhdeh. Enjoy crafts, a scavenger hunt, snacks and tea.
Book donations
It’s donation day at the Children’s Book Bank. Drop off your new and gently used books at the warehouse (334 Bleecker). Saturday March 23 from 11 am to 2:30 pm.
Eid Bazaar & Market
Local vendors will be selling henna, jewellery, clothes and more - Daniels Spectrum (585 Dundas E), 2 to 7 pm. Every Wednesday until April 3.
Apres Ski in the Distillery
The Distillery’s Apres Ski will be open from 1 to 7 pm on Friday, Saturday and Sunday with games, marshmallow roasts, warm drinks and tasty snacks. Party in your parka on Saturday from 3 to 7 pm with DJ Obuxum. Life-size games for the whole family on Sunday. Dogs are welcome. (Trinity Street in the Distillery)
SHOPPING NEWS
Artists’ exhibition space
Labour of Love (221 Carlton) has space available inside the store for artists who wish to exhibit their work. The space at the back of the store is beautifully lined with wooden walls and is well lit. Artists can rely on Labour of Love to handle sales and to supervise the site when needed. There’s a kitchen/bar area at the front for receptions. For rental details, contact Regina at the shop.
Participating businesses - Cabbagetown Cares
Six restaurants and eight merchants are participating - for a complete list, click here. This is the Cabbagetown BIA’s fundraising campaign on behalf of the food banks at Saint Luke’s United Church (353 Sherbourne) and Dixon Hall (188 Carlton). When you buy one specific item at a participating merchant, the proceeds go to these agencies. It’ll run through March.
Kendall & Co
Kendall has thousands of fabrics in the library. They can create cushions or pillows to suit your taste - and wallpaper of the same print to match. 514 Parliament.
Biophilia
Elham Hazfi will conduct a special culinary workshop to show how to make drinks and snacks with rhubarb. Saturday March 23, 1 to 2 pm. Biophilia is a celebration of human connection to nature at Labour of Love (223 Carlton). It continues to March 30. Lawrence Bernstein’s photographs and Elham Hazfi’s art will hang in Labour of Love throughout the exhibition’s events. To learn more and to register, go to Eventbrite.
THEATRE NEWS
Soulpepper’s Three Sisters continues through this weekend to March 24. J Kelly Nestruck has written a glowing review about it in the Globe & Mail. Alumnae’s The Children is on stage to March 23. The second instalment of Allies & Friends is on stage at The Citadel on March 22 and 23. Canadian Stage is bringing Searching For Eastman in early April. Click here for links and more info.
RESTAURANT NEWS
Congrats to the House on Parliament
blogTO has published its list of “The Best Pubs in Toronto”. House on Parliament (454 Parliament) is #1. “As perfect for an afternoon pint as it is for a weeknight dinner, a rollicking night out or a Sunday brunch, this Cabbagetown go-to has been in the business of serving great food, drink and hospitality for more than 20 years.” Check out the list here. (Photo: Hector Vasquez, blogTO)
Lisbon Hotel Bar
A friend visited this new bar in Corktown and liked it. The Lisbon Hotel Bar is a cozy spot that’s serving interesting cocktails, craft beer and small snacks. It’s located at 19 Lawren Harris Square at the foot of River Street. Open Tuesday to Saturday, 5 pm to midnight. They reassure us that it’s neither a hotel nor Portuguese, so don’t let the name fool you. Check out its offerings online. And read blogTO’s review here. (Photo: Fareen Karim, blogTO)
Tapas at Bisou
Every Friday from 4 to 8 pm, it’s Tapas Night at Bisou (350 Berkeley).
Old Flame Brewing
Old Flame & Friends House Warming Party with awesome tunes, delicious beers and food. Seven craft breweries will be special guests. Saturday March 23, noon to 6 pm, 43 Tank House Lane.
Cyril is taking a holiday
After he delivers his clam chowder for March 23, Cyril is off to a family event in France. He’ll return in time to make his April 19 and April 25 deliveries.
WEEKLY CALENDAR - CLUBS & PUBS
THURSDAY MARCH 21 TO SUNDAY MARCH 31
For contact info about these clubs and restaurants, see the list at the bottom of this page.
THURSDAY MARCH 21
Old Flame Brewery
8 pm, open mic
FRIDAY MARCH 22
Bisou
4 to 8 pm, tapas night
Decoy Bar
10 pm - Oakeve presents hip hop, R&B, funk and soul jams
Distillery
1 to 7 pm, Apres Ski Weekend and all-day happy hour
Old Flame Brewery
7 pm, live entertainment
Super Bargain
10 pm, DJ Shamz
SATURDAY MARCH 23
Decoy Bar
9 pm - Troglos with BassKase
Distillery
1 to 7 pm, Apres Ski Weekend with DJ Obukum
Labour of Love
1 pm, Culinary workshop with Elham Hazfi
Old Flame Brewing
Noon, Old Flame & Friends House Warming Party
SUNDAY MARCH 24
The Aviary
11:30 am, Jazz brunch
Distillery
1 to 7 pm, Apres Ski Weekend
Old Flame Brewery
2 pm, live entertainment
Super Bargain
3 to 5 pm, Paint nite
MONDAY MARCH 25
Stout Irish Pub
7 pm, Headscratchers Trivia
TUESDAY MARCH 26
The Aviary
7 pm, Bird Brain Trivia
The Golden Pigeon
4 pm, $2 oysters
7 pm, live jazz
Stout Irish Pub
7 pm, Headscratchers Trivia
WEDNESDAY MARCH 27
The Aviary
7 pm, Euchre Socials
8 pm, Karaoke night
F’Amelia
Wine Wednesday bottles over $100 at half price
Old Flame Brewery
7 pm, Trivia night
Stout Irish Pub
7 pm, euchre night
The Vibrational Apothecary
7:30 pm, traditional West African drumming classes with Amadou Kienou
THURSDAY MARCH 28
Old Flame Brewery
8 pm, open mic
FRIDAY MARCH 29
Bisou
4 to 8 pm, tapas night
Decoy Bar
10 pm - Notorious AMJ
Distillery
1 to 7 pm, Apres Ski Weekend and all-day happy hour
Old Flame Brewery
7 pm, live entertainment
Super Bargain
10 pm, DJ Shamz
SATURDAY MARCH 30
Decoy Bar
10 pm - Murr from LAL
Distillery
1 to 7 pm, Apres Ski Weekend and Lucie Tic
Old Flame Brewery
2 pm, live entertainment
SUNDAY MARCH 31
The Aviary
11:30 am, Jazz brunch
Distillery
1 to 7 pm, Apres Ski Weekend
Old Flame Brewery
2 pm, live entertainment
Super Bargain
3 to 5 pm, Paint nite
CONTACT INFO
Alice’s Place - 554 Parliament
Aviary - 484 Front East
Bisou - 350 Berkeley (at Gerrard)
The Vibrational Apothecary - 243 Gerrard E
Cranberries - 601 Parliament
Decoy Bar - 370 Queen E
Distillery - Mill Street and Parliament
El Catrin - 18 Tank House Lane, Distillery
Golden Pigeon - 424 Parliament
House on Parliament - 454 Parliament
Johnny G’s - 478 Parliament
Keating Channel - 2 Villiers St
La Gloria Mexican Coffee - 453 Parliament
Mill Street Brew Pub - 21 Tank House Lane, Distillery
NJ Lounge - 507 Parliament
Old Flame Brewery- 45 Tank House Lane, Distillery
Playground - 492 Parliament
Stout Irish Pub - 221 Carlton
Super Bargain - 441 Parliament
Wing House - 420 Parliament
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