Author Archives: Parkdale Village BIA

Join the “Business Tools for Today” Workshop – it’s free!

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You’re invited to attend a free Workshop on Wednesday April 2nd 8pm @ The Mascot Café presented by Offshoot Inc & Vend. Learn more about POS, E-Commerce, Websites and Social Media.

If you think a POS system is too expensive, or that you don’t require inventory management or reporting – think again!

Today’s cloud based systems eliminate the upfront costs of traditional POS systems, giving you the inventory visibility & reporting to make informed buying & selling decisions for your business. For more details & to attend this free workshop, click here.

Offshoot Logo - POS workshop - 2014

Spring into Parkdale on Sat April 26, 2014

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The Parkdale Village BIA is delighted to announce the 2nd Annual Spring into Parkdale Sidewalk Sale & Festival on Saturday April 26th 10am-6pm!

Put on your best sneakers, grab a friend and take a stroll down Parkdale Village’s Queen Street West this Spring for a day filled with free kids activities, sidewalk sale, giveaways, buskers & so much more!Spring into Parkdale Sidewalk Sale & Festival - 2014


Meet the shop owners and community groups that make up our thriving neighbourhood and enjoy a wonderful day exploring Parkdale Village! For more details on how to participate as a vendor, entertainer or volunteer, email director@parkdalevillagebia.com and click below for an update on activities & entertainment:

Cheese, Exploration, Sistema, Horses & Rock!
Pride, Treasure, Superman & Eagles!
Art Market, Spa Deals, Portraits & Tours!

Boulevard Cafe & Marketing bylaws public consultation Feb 6-18, 2014

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The City of Toronto Municipal Licensing and Standards (ML&S) Division is undertaking a review of the existing Boulevard Cafe and Marketing bylaws. The goal of the review is to consider a harmonized boulevard cafe and marketing bylaw which will apply to all areas of Toronto. The review includes in-depth research, analysis and consultations with business operators and the public. ML&S will submit a staff report with recommendations for the industry to the Licensing and Standards Committee in the first half of 2014.

Boulevard cafe:  In the former municipalities of the City of Toronto (except in Scarborough), restaurant/cafe owners can apply for a “boulevard cafe” permit, allowing them to operate a “cafe” or patio on the public right-of-way (boulevard/sidewalk). Boulevard marketing: In the former municipalities of the City of Toronto (except in Scarborough), retail business owners can apply for a “boulevard marketing” permit, allowing them to operate a stall outside of their business on the public right-of-way (boulevard/sidewalk) to offer their goods and merchandise for sale.

For more details click here, contact Olga Kusztelska, Senior Policy and Research Officer at City of Toronto,  416-392-7964 okuszte@toronto.ca or attend one of the following public consultations:

Public Thursday, February 6, 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. City Hall Committee Room 2
Public Tuesday, February 11, 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. East York Civic Centre, Council Chambers
Public Thursday, February 13, 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. Etobicoke Civic, Main Boardroom
Public Tuesday, February 18 from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. North York Civic Centre, Committee Room 3

Restaurant Study Pre-hearing February 14, 2014

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A hearing for the Ontario Municipal Board (OMB) challenge of a City of Toronto bylaw limiting the concentration of bars on Queen Street West in Parkdale takes place Feb. 14. City council adopted the bylaw last summer after the planning department completed a restaurant study of the strip. The bylaw included a cap on the number of bars along Queen West between Dufferin Street and Roncesvalles Avenue to 25 per cent. It also had a number of rules around size of dance floors, patios and prohibiting bars on second floors of buildings.

During that study a moratorium was placed on new bars, restaurants and bakeries opening. Since the bylaw was appealed by the Ontario Restaurant Hotel and Motel Association, the moratorium has remained in place.

An OMB pre-hearing is the first time those involved in the hearing meet. Pre-hearings are held to help identify issues, parties and participants; to determine what documents should be exchanged; and determine procedures before and during the hearing. They are also a time to set future hearing dates. For more details about this Parkdale Village article click here, and for case study details click: OMB Restaurant Study Pre-hearing – Feb 2014.

Join us for a Facade Improvement Workshop February 26, 2014

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Are you thinking of improving your commercial building facade?

Once again, the Parkdale Village BIA will be hosting a Workshop for property owners and tenants who are interested in learning more about receiving funding to redesign, renovate or restore their commercial building facades. Join the many businesses who have taken advantage of this opportunity, including Made You Look, Chantecler and Speedy Queen Coin Laundry.

Join us on Wednesday February 26th 6-8pm as Economic Partnership Advisor Michael Saunders discusses which improvements are eligible, the benefits of applying, application process and more. Improving your facade is a great way to show customers and residents that you care about your neighborhood streetscape and want to provide a more welcoming environment to work, shop and live.

This workshop is free, please email or call us to confirm your attendance and workshop location. If you are unable to attend, you can contact Michael Saunders at msaunder@toronto.ca, 416-392-1005 or access the presentation online. The application deadline is May 29th, 2014.

Explore all the shops Celebrating 135 Years of Parkdale Village

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Tonight marks the kick off of Parkdale Village’s 135th Anniversary Weekend with a local celebration at Porzia Parkdale Restaurant which coincidently opened its doors to locals just 1 year ago this weekend!

Festivities run at over 17 venues throughout the weekend as local shop owners celebrate in their own unique way. It might be chilli, so grab your favourite coffee to go, explore some shops, admire the Victorian architecture & share your Parkdale memories with neighbours and friends.

Participating shops include:

1. Rustic Cosmo Café (1278 Queen W) – Small coffee & cookie $1.35;Jan 25-26
2. Porzia Parkdale (1314 Queen W) – Kick off locals night & snacks; Jan 23 8pm
3. The Well of Alternative Medicine (1344 Queen W) – Free 15 min massage & puppy therapy; Jan 25-26
4. JR’s Natural Health & Bulk (1382 Queen W) – Complimentary tea; Jan 25-26
5. Fixt Point – (1550 Queen W) – 1/2 off for members to the Keith Richards One Woman Show & After party; Jan 25 7:30pm
6. Kitten & the Bear (1574 Queen W) – Scone Sandwich & Tea to-go $5;Jan 25-26
7. Sylvie & Shimmy (1640 Queen W) – Extra 30% off sale merchandise; Jan 25-26
8. Yummy Stuff (1660 Queen W) – Parkdale Anniversary Cookies; Jan 25-26
9. Chartreuse Style (1692 Queen W) – 15-50% off select merchandise; Jan 23-26
10. Fullworth (1371 Queen W) – No tax on housewares, gifts & clothing; Jan 25-26
11. Cambie Design (1535 Queen W) – Win $100 Gift Card in Store; Jan 23-26
12. PARC (1499 Queen W) – Free viral video workshop; Jan 25 1-4pm
13. Boutique Café (1542 Queen W) – 50% off Warm Fleece Leggings; Jan 25-26

and more…

Residents and visitors will also be encouraged to learn more about the community by visiting our History page and Facebook page, where historical photos and stories will be shared throughout the month.
Visit us online for daily announcements and share your memories of this wonderful neighbourhood!

Happy 135th Anniversary Parkdale Village! Click here for photos!

Porzia Parkdale kicks off 135th Anniversary Weekend with a Party!

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To help kick off a weekend of celebrations and specials for the 135th Anniversary – you’re invited to a party on Thu Jan 23rd @ 8pm!!

Over the past 135 years Parkdale Village has seen many ups, downs, trends and changes – and over such a long history, many of them have been for the better! The Parkdale Anniversary Posters - Parkdale Porzia - Jan 2014foodie movement is one such trend and although its recent reincarnation may seen new, Parkdale has in fact had dozens of food establishments for dozens of years, offering cuisine from all around the world. It’s no wonder that many have found welcome and comfort in opening up new establishments and experimenting with food in the area.

One such gem is Chef Basilio Pesces from Porzia Parkdale Restaurant which opened its doors to locals just 1 year ago this weekend! To help kick off a weekend filled with neighbourhood celebrations, the BIA and Porzia invite residents and local businesses to drop in Thu Jan 23rd 8-10pm and sample some specially made cocktails, snacks and share some Parkdale memories with neighbours and new friends.

The festivities at Porzia don’t stop there, to help celebrate their 1st year anniversary, join them on Sunday January 26th for a special 5 course dinner. For ticket info email info@porzia.ca.

Visit us weekly as we share more Anniversary Celebrations, or click here to learn more about Parkdale’s rich history.

The Well of Alternative Medicine Celebrates 135th Anniversary with puppies!

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Two of our favourite things are coming together for the 135th Parkdale Village Anniversary – free massages & puppies!!Parkdale Anniversary Posters - The Well - Jan 2014

Parkdale Village was for many years a retreat for Toronto’s wealthy where they could come and not only vacation with family and enjoy numerous forms of entertainment, but also relax and recover in nature. The neighbourhoods close proximity to High Park and the waterfront as well as many green spaces, offered visitors a perfect retreat for health & wellness. Continuing the tradition is The Well of Alternative Medicine located just east of Brock Avenue. This Parkdale staple which boats “Made in Parkdale” in their signage and is managed by Parkdalean Marta Dos Santos will be offering:

1. Free 15 minute massages from 10:30-4:30pm all weekend

2. Free Puppy Therapy sessions. The puppies will be homed in the front window of the clinic and available for people to come in and pet or play with outside of nap and pee times. Interacting with animals, especially puppies can reduce stress, lower blood pressure, reduce feelings of loneliness and of course put a smile on anyone’s face

3. An opportunity to win a free 60 minute massage or 45 minute Infrared Detox Sauna Treatment by visiting The Well of Alternative Medicine on Facebook and clicking “LIKE” throughout January. You’re name will then be entered into a draw.

Visit us weekly as we share more Anniversary Celebrations, or click here to learn more about Parkdale’s rich history.

Below, a historical snapshot of visitors enjoying what Parkdale Village and the surrounding areas had to offer.

Enjoying the waterfront in 1908

Enjoying the Waterfront in 1908

High Park Sidecars 1904

Enjoying High Park in 1904

CNE 1911Strolling the 1911 Canadian National ExhibitionJameson South from King 1946

The lush greenery of Jameson Avenue in 1946

FIXT POINT Celebrates 135th Parkdale Anniversary with Theatre!

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What better way to celebrate an Anniversary then with music and theatre!

Parkdale Village has had a long love affair with entertainment, boasting over 6 movie theatres and endless leisurely attractions, the area was a hub for entertainment seeking visitors for over 100 years. In present day, entertainment, music and theatre are still present with the help of numerous small businesses, one such is FIXT POINT Studio’s.

This month, FIXT POINT presents The Keith Richards’s One Woman Show at their 1550 Queen St W studio.
Produced by their sister company Suitcase in Point, the play features Mona who loves The Stones. She can’t get enough of Keith Richards. She’s pretty-well obsessed.

Performed by Deanna Jones, Mona’s ‘trip’ through Keith’s life from boyhood to drug-Parkdale Anniversary Posters - Fixt Point - Jan 2014bust (Toronto 1977) includes run-ins with Mick Jagger, Anita Pallenberg, Gram Parsons and a giant tongue. A live rock score, played by Kevin Richardson, invokes the world of the Stones and, in particular, the raw sounds of Keith.

You’re invited to come celebrate Parkdale Village’s 135th Anniversary by supporting theatre and enjoying this rock & roll play on Saturday January 25th @ 7:30pm. Advance tickets ate $15 and $20 at the door, space is limited, cash bar, play running time 60mins, not intended for children. For ticket details click here.

Visit us weekly as we share more Anniversary Celebrations, or click here to learn more about Parkdale’s rich history.

Parkdale Village Celebrates 135th Year Anniversary!

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Parkdale Village 135th Anniversary - 2014The Parkdale Village BIA invites residents and visitors to celebrate the 135th Year Anniversary of Parkdale Village.

Although January 1st marks the date that Parkdale became a village, the Parkdale Village BIA (PVBIA) will be celebrating the rich history of Parkdale Village from January 25-26th, 2014 by inviting residents and visitors to take a stroll down memory lane, explore the many businesses who will be celebrating in their own ways, and admire the Victorian architecture within Parkdale Village. Residents and visitors will also be encouraged to learn more about the community by visiting the new Parkdale Village BIA website and Facebook page, where historical photos and stories will be shared throughout the month.
Visit us online for daily announcements and share your memories of this wonderful neighbourhood!

Happy Anniversary Parkdale Village!