CABBAGETOWN NEIGHBOURHOOD
REVIEW
A PERSONAL VIEW
Cabbagetown Cares
The Cabbagetown BIA has started a remarkable project. Throughout March, merchants and restaurants are collecting funds to donate to the food banks at Saint Luke’s Church and Dixon Hall. The idea is simple - when you buy a select item in the store or on the menu, part of the proceeds are going to tackle food insecurity. It’s easy for us and very important for the food banks. There’s a list of participating merchants in the story below. Congrats to the BIA and to the merchants for your generosity.
FEATURED ARTIST
Jack Grunsky
Jack is both an accomplished artist and an award-winning musician. So he painted a selfie - “Me & Charlie”, acrylic on a wood panel, 12” by 12”. His website has lots of his music and art.
LOCAL NEWS
Cabbagetown Cares
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. Ask at each place about its special features - and be sure to thank them of their generous support. The campaign will run through March.
The six participating restaurants are Gushi Foods (296 Gerrard E), House on Parliament (454 Parliament), Momo Ghar (568 Parliament), Super Bargain (441 Parliament), Thai Room (243 Carlton) and The Golden Pigeon (424 Parliament).
The eight merchants are Akasha Art Projects (204 Carlton), FTJCo Fine Jewellery (576 Parliament), Labour of Love (223 Carlton), Moira (527 Broadcast Lane), Spiritleaf (238 Carlton), The Epicure Shop (473 Parliament), The Great Mallard (503 Parliament) and You’re Welcome Tattoos (226 Carlton).
Welcome back
A group of active residents has revived the Winchester Park Residents Association. It’s good news. In the past, the Association has been a positive voice seeking neighbourhood improvements - many of them are now completed. They’ve launched an informative newsletter with updates about Margaret’s housing on Winchester, the TCHC rooming houses on Parliament, 233 Carlton, 41 Rose and 279-283 Wellesley. They’re organizing the Association’s annual meeting for April 24 and they’re asking people to join - send an email if you’re interested..
Commercial taxes
Local business owners and landlords along Parliament, Carlton and Gerrard are paying outrageous levels of municipal property tax. One prominent business is paying $25,000 annually - and that’s probably a middling amount. The burden has been lighter since 2021 when a special small business category created a 15% reduction. In this budget cycle, Councillor Brad Bradford introduced a motion to increase this allowance to 25% but Mayor Olivia Chow and a majority of Councillors defeated his motion. Our Councillor, Chris Moise, was among those who voted it down. Click here to see the amendment - scroll down to number 5.
The Forsythia Festival
Festival organizers are getting ready - it happens on Sunday May 5, just two months away. Part of their work involves some fundraising. The Festival is a free event and it doesn’t get huge government grants. The Cabbagetown Residents Association is now canvassing merchants and residents for contributions.
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.
Roofing scam
Beware of these guys. They go door-to-door telling homeowners that they’ve spotted damage on the roof. One guy will talk. Another will go up on the roof - he’ll then create damage himself and they’ll demand hefty deposits to fix it. They won’t reappear later to do the job. They’ve been seen at homes in Winchester Park and Cabbagetown South. Victoria Hadden gives plenty of details on her Aberdeen Avenue site. Heather and Trevor have each identified James O’Brien as a guy who tried this trick on them. He operates as Maple Contractors. He was arrested in 2023 and charged for pulling this scam. (Photo: Toronto Police Service)
Distillery Winter Village
Four charities were teamed up with the 2023 Distillery Winter Village. They received their donations on Wednesday - The Toronto Star’s Santa Claus Fund ($15,000), Fred Victor Mission and Anishnawbe Health ($11,800 each) and Soulpepper Theatre ($5,000).
Carrying the flag
Louise is visiting Sean and Tiffany (formerly at The Tilted Dog) in Alvor, Portugal. Naturally, she took along our flag and proudly waved it with Sean.
Then and now
Steve Yeates and Danny Marks must be feeling nostalgic. They’ve both posted then-and-now photos online. Steve says that he’s been cycling for over 50 years and his 1974 photo is proof of that. Danny has been showing off his 1970’s long hair - he looks like he’s fresh out of a hurricane.
COMING EVENTS
Eid Bazaar & Market
Local vendors will be selling henna, jewellery, clothes and more - Daniels Spectrum (585 Dundas E), 2 to 7 pm. Every Wednesday from March 13 to April 3.
Riverdale Farm drop-in
From March 11 to15 during March break, Riverdale Farm (Winchester and Sumach) is open for special events. There’ll be farmers’ demonstrations in the Lower Francey barn and crafts, refreshments and a playroom in the Simpson House. 9 am to 5 pm, free.
Brenda’s step classes
Brenda holds her step classes at the Cabbagetown Youth Centre (2 Lancaster behind the Beer Store) every Wednesday morning at 9:15 am. This will be her regular schedule throughout March except on next Wednesday March 13 - it’ll be cancelled then because of the school break. Everyone is welcome. $5.
Biophilia
On Saturday March 9 from 6 to 7 pm, Kevin Charlie will present a Sound Bath. His immersive soundscapes promote deep relaxation, healing and spiritual connection. 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.
SHOPPING NEWS
Congrats to The Great Mallard
Christina’s been busy. She joined Spiritleaf’s patio party at the end of February. Then, her mango guava scorpion won first place in the snack/preserve category at the 2024 Heat Wave Hot Sauce Expo in London. On Saturday March 9, she’s going to the Celebrate Toronto 190 show in Nathan Phillips Square at City Hall. She’ll be one of 100 vendors offering local crafts and foods. She’s already planning for her next big excursion - she’s been invited to this summer’s Calgary Stampede. Save the date - on Saturday March 16, she’s having a party to celebrate all of these accomplishments. The Great Mallard (503 Parliament).
Congrats to Cycle Solutions
It’s their 24th anniversary. Cycle Solutions (444 Parliament) offers high quality service and new bikes. And they support a wide range of local events. Best wishes for many more.
KIDS NEWS
Apres Ski in the Distillery
From Friday March 8 to Sunday March 17, the Distillery’s Apres Ski will be open from 1 to 7 pm with games, marshmallow roasts, warm drinks and tasty snacks. Dogs are welcome. (Trinity Street in the Distillery)
Charlene Chua
Children’s book illustrator Charlene Chua will visit The Children’s Book Bank (585 Dundas E, Suite 260). Tuesday March 12, 2 pm. She’ll do a special story time and ribbon dance.
THEATRE NEWS
Alumnae’s The Children opens on Thursday. Soulpepper’s Three Sisters continues this week. Citadel presents the return of Sex Dalmatian. Native Earth is staging Dead Elephants. Click here for links and more info.
RESTAURANT NEWS
Welcome back Good Gang Ice Cream
It’s a sure sign that Spring is on the way when Good Gang is open again (540 Parliament). Margaret and Kat are selling their yummy ice creams from Thursday to Saturday each week - Thursday and Friday from 4 to 9 pm and Saturday from 3 to 9 pm. A year ago, blogTO did a nifty summary of their new shop. Check out their menu on their website and their photos on Instagram. (Photo: Fareen Karim, blogTO)
Drop in to The Decoy Bar
The Decoy Bar (370 Queen E) in Corktown features a lively weekly program - every Friday there’s a DJ and the menu includes plant-based snacks and unique Ontario craft beers not readily available elsewhere. On Friday March 8, it’s DJ Shadow Brown with funk, R & B and disco at 10 pm. On Saturday, it’s Antique Rules with DJ olasconola playing sonic nostalgia and fun finds on vinyl at 10 pm. On Friday March 15, Fairweather Brewing will be on tap at 6 pm and DJ Double Denim will play at 10 pm. (Photo: Fareen Karim. blogTO)
Advance warning - St Patrick’s Day excitement
Stout Irish Pub (221 Carlton) enjoys two celebrations - on Friday and Saturday March 16, it’s St Practice Day. On Sunday March 17, it’s the official St Patrick’s Day. Mill Street Brew Pub (21 Tank House Lane) has a preliminary menu now through March 15 with Irish soup, beef stew and lamb burger and there’ll be more intense stuff on Saturday and Sunday. The House on Parliament (454 Parliament), The Golden Pigeon (424 Parliament) and The Aviary (484 Front East) are all planning weekend events. There’ll be more. Watch out for rivers of Guinness. Details next Thursday.
Cyril’s soup
His juice is blood oranges, hibiscus, and regular oranges. This week’s soup is butternut squash and pear with ginger, rosemary and whisky barrel-aged maple syrup. Soup - $3.50 per cup for 3 to 9 cups and $3 a cup for ten or more. Juice - $9.50 for two cups. Deliveries on Saturday March 9. Please email him to place your order.
WEEKLY CALENDAR - CLUBS & PUBS
THURSDAY MARCH 7 TO SUNDAY MARCH 17
For contact info about these clubs and restaurants, see the list at the bottom of this page.
THURSDAY MARCH 7
Labour of Love
7 pm, Kevin Charlie’s Sound Bath
Old Flame Brewing
8 pm, Open mic with Landon
FRIDAY MARCH 8
Super Bargain
10 pm, DJ Shamz
Old Flame Brewing
7 pm, live music
Decoy Bar
10 pm - DJ Shadow Brown
Distillery
1 to 7 pm, Apres Ski Weekend and all-day happy hour
SATURDAY MARCH 9
Old Flame Brewing
7 pm, live music
Decoy Bar
10 pm - Antique Rules with DJ olasconola
Distillery
1 to 7 pm, DJ and Apres Ski Weekend
SUNDAY MARCH 10
The Aviary
11:30 am, Jazz brunch
Distillery
1 to 7 pm, Apres Ski Weekend
Super Bargain
3 to 5 pm, Paint nite
MONDAY MARCH 11
Distillery
1 to 7 pm, Apres Ski
Stout Irish Pub
7 pm, Headscratchers Trivia
Super Bargain
7:30 pm, Tricky Trivia
TUESDAY MARCH 12
Distillery
1 to 7 pm, Apres Ski
Stout Irish Pub
7 pm, Headscratchers Trivia
The Aviary
7 pm, Bird Brain Trivia
The Golden Pigeon
4 pm, $2 oysters
7 pm, live jazz
WEDNESDAY MARCH 13
Distillery
1 to 7 pm, Apres Ski
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 Aviary
7 pm, Euchre Socials
8 pm, Karaoke night
The Vibrational Apothecary
7:30 pm, traditional West African drumming classes with Amadou Kienou
THURSDAY MARCH 14
Distillery
1 to 7 pm, Apres Ski
The Aviary
8 pm, Night People
Old Flame Brewing
8 pm, Open mic with Landon
FRIDAY MARCH 15
Stout Irish Pub
Noon, St Practice Days
The Aviary
St Paddy’s Day celebrations with Longslice green beer
Decoy Bar
6 pm - Fairweather Brewing on tap
10 pm - DJ Double Denim
Super Bargain
10 pm, DJ Shamz
Old Flame Brewing
7 pm, live music
Distillery
1 to 7 pm, Apres Ski Weekend and all-day happy hour
SATURDAY MARCH 16
Stout Irish Pub
Noon, St Practice Days
The Golden Pigeon
St Patrick’s weekend with a special menu, drinks, karaoke, dancers and more.
The Aviary
St Paddy’s Day celebrations with Longslice green beer
Old Flame Brewing
7 pm, live music
Distillery
1 to 7 pm, DJ and Apres Ski Weekend
SUNDAY MARCH 17
House on Parliament
St Patrick’s Day Irish menu and dancers
Stout Irish Pub
11 am, St Patrick’s Day - Celtic music, food and dancers
Golden Pigeon
St Patrick’s weekend with a special menu, drinks, karaoke, dancers and more.
The Aviary
11:30 am, Jazz brunch
St Paddy’s Day celebrations with a live band from 7 pm and Longslice green beer
Distillery
1 to 7 pm, Apres Ski Weekend
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
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
