Short Stories From 10 Years Ago – June 23, 2004
Neighbourhood Business
Short Stories From 10 Years Ago – June 23, 2004 – I live in one of Toronto’s east end neighbourhoods called Riverdale. It’s 10 minutes by car to the city centre – 5 minutes to The Beaches, half an hour to the airport, 15 minutes to my office and 45 minuets to get clear out of the city. It’s a friendly (not intrusive) – tolerant, gentrified (not snobby) part of the city.
It doesn’t take itself seriously, has a wonderful blend of professional, technical, artistic, creative people and a lot of long time senior residents who have lived here for 50+ years. It has an interesting mix of nationalities and is happily “gay” friendly. I can’t imagine living anywhere else in the city.
During the twenty-one years I’ve lived in Riverdale, the area has changed dramatically. The Danforth used to be a strip of predominantly Greek restaurants, car dealerships and small, local Mom & Pop businesses. Now, different business owners have created a veritable shopper’s delight. Home decor stores – Moss & Romancing The Home are stocked with wonderful products for the house and garden, Barb at The Cook’s Place has every conceivable kitchen utensil known to humankind, Decor frames prints and pictures with great care and precision, Alex’s cheese shop – say no more – some of the best cheese in Toronto. The Fruit King at the corner of Logan and the Danforth – the ideal, inexpensive green grocer – I shop there all the time and always feel I should tell them to keep the change.
Penthouse Dry Cleaners on Broadview are terrific, as is Reim Custom Paints across the street. My Doctor is located in a clinic on Broadview that also has a bone density lab, x-ray, a blood work lab and a physiotherapy clinic. There are coffee shops – Second Cup and Starbucks and smaller local cafes and so many good restaurants that I lose count. My favourites are Mocca-Mocca, Soda, Avli, Café Brussel, Mezes, Pan, Il Fornello and welcome additions to Queen Street such as Hello Toast and Verveine.
What used to be a predominantly ethnic area with no pananche is now a thriving, cosmopolitan neighbourhood with flourishing shops and vibrant restaurants with international cuisine. The business people are friendly, helpful and appreciative of the support of the community. Whenever possible I like to patronize the local shop keepers. I can almost always find what I want right on the Danforth or a little further afield on Queen Street.
I’m greeted by someone who appreciates my business and welcomes me with a warm smile when I walk through the door. I like to help people succeed in their business ventures and I enjoy networking and putting people together who can help one another.
Local shopkeepers sustain a community and keep it economically strong and successful. When they just happen to be nice people as well, who are committed to the neighbourhood, it’s a pleasure to exchange my hard earned dollars for their products and services. The real payoff is having a small town atmosphere in the heart of a big city. It just doesn’t get any better than that.
My brother and I had dinner last night at Gerrard Pizza on the Danforth. A great meal – wonderful, crisp Caesar salad, home made pizza, the house wine and tartufo. All this a ten minute drive from home. Why not go out and wander around your neighbourhood on the week-end? Drop in to a local shop and say hello, visit a pub or go to a restaurant you’ve never been to before – you may be amazed at who you meet and how nice they are.
Not only that – but you’ll be appreciated and welcomed back on your return visit. Without the small, independent business people who took the risk of starting a shop or a restaurant – we wouldn’t have the vibrant communities that exist in our city today.
It’s easy for corporate big business with their inexhaustible supply of cash to take over a community – but it’s the homegrown people who give a neighbourhood the character that we all love. So don’t think twice about it – get out there and support the shop owners who live and work in your midst!
