Category Archives: Uncategorized

Downtown Transportation Operations Study

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The City of Toronto is currently undertaking a study of downtown transportation operations. The purpose of the DTOS is to identify and address congestion and traffic operations issues in downtown Toronto. The study will develop near–to–medium term improvements to the existing surface transportation network that will help to achieve safe and efficient transportation in the downtown.

Roncesvalles and Queen Streetcar 1925

Roncesvalles and Queen Streetcar 1925

The DTOS, is about getting more out of the existing transportation infrastructure, in an attempt to make travel in the downtown less challenging and more efficient for all road users. The survey component is designed to collect information about road user behaviours. The DTOS is:

  • Focused on transportation into, out of, and within the study area.
  • Committed to helping all road users.
  • Based on the existing surface transportation network.
  • Intent on identifying near-term and medium-term solutions to operational issues.

If downtown traffic congestion is a concern to you, click here, or to complete the brief survey, click here.

Even those who don’t live or work downtown are effected by the congestion when travelling in the downtown core.

Spring into Parkdale

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The Parkdale Village Business Improvement Area (PVBIA) invites you to Spring into Parkdale on April 20-21, 2013!

Put on your best sneakers, grab a friend and take a stroll down Parkdale Village’s Queen Street West this Spring for a weekend filled with sidewalk sale deals and free fun for the family.

Meet the shop owners and community groups that make up our thriving neighbourhood and enjoy some special attractions such as rickshaw rides, free crafty workshops and tulip giveaways. Spring into Parkdale 2013 - Small Poster

Stay connected via Facebook and Twitter to learn more about all the Spring into Parkdale activities and how you can participate, or email us at director@parkdalevillagebia.com

The Reclamation Project Documentary Released

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The Parkdale BIA is proud to share the anticipated “The Reclamation Project Documentary“. In July of 2012, 50+ of Toronto’s premier graffiti, mural and street artists liberated one of Canada’s largest graffiti walls. A highly vandalized sound barrier, located at Queen West and Dufferin alongside the Metrolinx rail tracks, targeted by Toronto’s Graffiti Bi-law. At the request of the property developers, the community and in partnership with Metrolinx a team of local artists and community arts workers assembled to organize and coordinate a monumental mural that encompasses the entire wall from end to end. This mural incorporate artists of different urban styles, community volunteers and local arts organizations in an efforts to create a historical installation that represents and preserves Toronto’s street art scene in its current state.

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Executive Producers: Urbancorp Producer, Director: Reginald Tiessen

Special thanks to: Metrolinx & GO Transit, City of Toronto, Parkdale Village BIA, New Found Network, Creative Factory, David Mandell, Tony Manocchio, Alex Gelman, Colin Rauscher, Jodi Callan, Sarah Hamel, Dr. Chris M. Drohan, José-Gabriel, Bill Emerson and all the artists who contributed their time and talent.

Phase II of Capital Design Strategy Breaks Ground in Parkdale!

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The PVBIA broke ground this week for Phase II of the pedestrian lighting project. The installation of 8 additional pedestrian light poles is part of the ongoing Capital Design Strategy for the Parkdale Village BIA along Queen Street West from Roncesvalles Avenue to Dufferin Street.

Although Queen Street West has vehicular lighting, there was no pedestrian lighting within the BIA leaving the streets dark in the evening. Pedestrian lighting was a priority within the capital design project as functional lighting along a main street creates safer streets and ties the neighbourhood together, while attractive design ads to the aesthetic, two basic components of a good streetscape design.

The project will continue to create safer walking and meeting spaces and will add a total of 21 decorative light poles within the Parkdale Village BIA by Spring 2013.

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The additional Phase II lighting will be installed within the following areas;

  • Queen St. W., east of Roncesvalles Ave
  • Queen St. W., south of MacDonell Ave
  • Queen St. W., south of Brock Ave
  • Queen St. W., east of Gwynne Ave

For further details or inquiries about the project, please contact the Parkdale Village BIA at 416-536-6918.

We thank all of our partners, residents and businesses for their patience as we work to improve our BIA through Streetscape initiatives such as this one.

A new series that profiles female entrepreneurs in Toronto: Rustic Cosmo Cafe!

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Check out a recent interview with long time Parkdale business owner Nicole Crowe as she shares her journey with contributing writer Carolyn Grisold for the online publication the Toronto Standard.  

   Petite Bourgeoisie: Nicole Crowe, Owner of Rustic Cosmo

Do you think it’s important for small businesses to be involved in the community?

Oh, totally. If the people running businesses in the neighbourhood don’t step up to make it a great place to be, then it’s not gonna get done. Parkdale is full of so many wonderful business owners. It’s such a mix of old and new businesses on this strip now, it’s great. Everyone interacts; we all help each other out whenever we can, and do what we can to bring people down to Parkdale.

What made your parents choose to move to Parkdale?

I’m not sure, but we’ve been here over 20 years now. Parkdale’s always been a very eccentric neighbourhood. It’s great, very community-based. It was a different neighbourhood 17 years ago when we started the restaurant.

How has your restaurant evolved as Parkdale becomes more gentrified?

When we opened, we were Parkdale’s original coffee house; there were no other coffee houses around. We started off with just coffee and desserts – cappuccinos and fun coffee drinks – and then, over the years, we just gradually evolved. We put in the kitchen about 10 years ago. We always did quiches and salads, so we had food options, but not much at the beginning. I had a hot plate before. Now we’re a full-service restaurant.

Do you find keeping up with food trends challenging, or is that something that you thrive on?

We follow food trends to a point; a lot of what we serve has been on the menu for the whole 17 years we’ve been here. We can’t take it off; people just order it anyways. Like the chicken, avocado and brie sandwich. It’s been on the menu since the day we opened the doors.

To read more from the interview, click here.

Photo: Carolyn Grisold

Serving Parkdale for over 43 years – Star Hair Stylists

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The vintage appearing Star Hair Stylists Salon has long and stable roots in Parkdale Village. For over 43 years Pota, her family and team have been washing, cutting and styling the community!

Although they’re flagged by up to 14 other salon service type businesses along Queen Street West in Parkdale, they clearly have a solid base of customers who keep coming back for more TLC after all these years.

This month Pota and her daughter Mary invite you come in for the very first time or as a returning customer for their February Valentines Special; a free cut with highlights or free wash with cut & style! star hairstylists

We know you’ve walked past this gem plenty of times, now come on in and enjoy the Parkdale gossip and hospitality!

Check out some of Star Hair Stylists neighbours: do some banking, pick up your passport photos, grab a bagel, pick up some groceries!

Parkdale Residents Association Meeting Discusses Queen Street Restaurant Study

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The Parkdale Residents Association is holding their Annual General Meeting on February 13th from 7-9 pm at May Robinson Auditorium, 20 West Lodge Avenue. A focus of the meeting will be a panel discussion exploring the recent Interim Control by-law that was passed along Queen Street West, from Dufferin to Roncesvalles.

residentsThe event will include an interesting and informative panel discussion made up of residents and will cover a number of elements such as the by-law restrictions, consequences and debate their merits and discuss alternative or additional measures that the City might consider.

For additional details about this event, please visit the Parkdale Residents Association Website.

Join us for a Facade Improvement Workshop

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Are you thinking of improving your commercial building facade?

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 us on Monday February 25th 6-8pm as Economic Partnership Advisor Michael Saunders discusses which improvements are eligible, 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 or 416-392-1005.

You’re Invited – to get lost in FullWorth!

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If you`ve ever ventured into FullWorth, a local grocery & bargain store at Close Avenue, one of the first things you may notice is the tinted window office that hovers over the cash teller and store, in there lays a Parkdale staple – Kam! Having helped start the family business over 30 years ago in 1980, he`s been working the store ever since and loving it. From luggage to groceries, FullWorth is truly a one stop shop! One of the biggest misconceptions about the store is its size, although it is currently half the original size, new and current customers are still surprised when they venture to the back of the store where fully stocked kitchen, bed and bath departments await. FullWorthAlthough not a resident, Kam is a big part of the Parkdale community, having a few other Parkdale properties under his belt and the store keep him pretty busy, which he doesn’t mind as meeting people is his  passion.

Kam invites you to get lost in the isles, come check out FullWorth on Sunday January 27th for their NO TAX Parkdale Anniversary Sale on all housewares, gifts and clothing!

 

Go Lounge Celebrates!

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What better way to celebrate an Anniversary then with a Party!

This Friday Jan 25th Samantha and Alisa invite you to join them at Go Lounge as they raise a glass to Parkdale Village`s anniversary with drink specials, giveaways, $1.34 Americanos all week long and of course board game fun! If you`re not the board game type at heart, not to worry, the friendly and social atmosphere is just enough to want to sit back and start to wish you were the board game type at heart – it`s never too late!

Go Lounge

Wondering what all the hype is about, read more: blogto, Toronto Life, Well Preserved, The Grid.   

Check out Samantha and Alisa`s neighbours: Eggs Benny please, enjoy some Sicilian food, eco shop, or paint that spare bedroom.              

Photo: Go Lounge, PVBIA