June 15th, 2021 · Comments Off on NEWS: Brunny Rexall to shutter (May 2021)
Closing comes as a surprise after only 3 years in operation
On June 11, as many patios and retailers reopened, Rexall’s sign came down. NEILAND BRISSENDEN/GLEANER NEWS
By Nicole Stoffman
Rexall Pharmacy in the former Brunswick House is closing after only three years, on June 11. Employees will be re-assigned by the corporately-owned store, but the future of management is uncertain, according to an employee. Read more
June 15th, 2021 · Comments Off on NEWS: City moves forward with Garden Suites (May 2021)
Plan could allow homeowners to build additional housing in rear yard
The city is looking at garden suites located in rear yards behind a single detached house, a semi-detached house, and a townhouse or low-rise apartment block. COURTESY THE CITY OF TORONTO
June 15th, 2021 · Comments Off on NEWS: Appeal against 225 Brunswick Ave. (May 2021)
Developer seeks “middle ground” to resolve dispute with neighbour
This architect’s rendering depicts how this one-time synagogue located on Brunswick Avenue might look if it’s converted to residential units. COURTESY SUULIN ARCHITECTS
By Madeline Smart
The approved development plan for the one-time synagogue at 225 Brunswick Ave., whose plan required nine bylaw variances, has been appealed by a nearby neighbour. Read more
June 15th, 2021 · Comments Off on CHATTER: Farmer’s Market returns to the Annex (May 2021)
Cameron and Shaylynn from Sun Ray Orchards in Beamsville, Ontario were happy to be serving customers at the first Bloor-Borden Farmer’s Market of the season. NICOLE STOFFMAN/GLEANER NEWS
The Farmer’s Market returns for a 14th season with 16 organic food vendors, which is the same number found there during pre-pandemic times. Read more
May 12th, 2021 · Comments Off on ON THE COVER: The white elephant (Apr. 2021)
The white elephant in the neighbourhood: for over 17 years this life-sized Indian elephant sculpture has watched over Seaton Village from its home at 77 Yarmouth Rd. The 9 foot tall plaster sculpture was created by Matt Donovan in 1999 as part of his student thesis at the Ontario College of Art and Design and has lived on Yarmouth since 2003. NEILAND BRISSENDEN/GLEANER NEWS
May 12th, 2021 · Comments Off on NEWS: Geary goes green (Apr. 2021)
Construction on first Green Line initiative set for 2022
Widening sidewalks for better accessibility and pedestrian safety surrounding Geary Avenue Parkette is being discussed. COURTESY DTAH
By Mary An
One of the first initiatives within the Green Line is underway. As chronicled in the Annex Gleaner’s February edition, the Green Line will be a five kilometre-long park running along the hydro-electric corridor north of Dupont Street. Read more
May 12th, 2021 · Comments Off on NEWS: Tenants at risk of eviction (Apr. 2021)
Critics see government’s “protections” as toothless
By Nicole Stoffman
Seven percent of Ontario tenants, or 98,000 families, can’t pay their full rent because of pandemic-related job loss. They are accumulating rent arrears that many will never be able to repay, according to the Federation of Rental Providers of Ontario (FRPO). In the Annex alone, 16 eviction applications have been made since November. Read more
May 12th, 2021 · Comments Off on NEWS: Light sculptures appear on Bloor (Apr. 2021)
BIA pays homage to its many food establishments during COVID
The colourful strainers and colanders catch the eye during the day and vibrate unique mandela effects during the night. This cylinder artwork can be found lighting up the new parkette on Brunswick Avenue at Bloor Street West MARY AN/GLEANER NEWS
May 12th, 2021 · Comments Off on CHATTER: The pivot to the mask trade (Apr. 2021)
Stores like David Dunkley Fine Millinery at 974 Bathurst St. have successfully re-tooled to make protective masks for their customers. BRIAN BURCHELL/GLEANER NEWS
Rainbows, sparkles and onesies, it turns out, are no match for a global pandemic. That’s what Lien Nguyen and her business partner found out after COVID-19 forced numerous strategic pivots just to stay alive. Their enterprise, the Unicorn Café, opened up in January of 2020 at 561 Bloor Street W., and attempted to continue running via Uber Eats. Like many businesses, the Unicorn Café entered the mask trade and in that, found some hope. Read more
May 12th, 2021 · Comments Off on CHATTER: Tarragon’s Reinvention (Apr. 2021)
Fans of original Canadian theatre will be pleased to know that the Tarragon is not gone. On offer in May are audio dramas Scorched and Come Home-The Legend of Daddy Hall. Visit tickets.tarragontheatre.com. BRIAN BURCHELL/GLEANER NEWS
The Tarragon Theatre has stayed afloat through the third wave of this pandemic by bringing theatre lovers a full season of audio dramas. This art form enjoyed its golden age in the 40s and had been enjoying a rebirth which has boomed with the pandemic. Theatres have been discovering its usefulness as a cheaper and more reliable way to deliver shows than filmed productions or Zoom plays. Actors record their parts remotely, which are combined by the producers who then add in the sound design. Read more
March 26th, 2021 · Comments Off on ON THE COVER (Mar. 2021)
The Bloor Annex BIA, in partnership with STEPS Public Art and local artists Chris Foster and Layne Hinton, has transformed three of their new parkettes into lighting spectacles. These kinetic installations use bright light sources that slowly pass through a long column of common kitchen colanders. The patterns create dynamic projections that shift as the light passes through in a gesture to the diversity of restaurants that are a staple of the Annex. On site along Bloor St. at Robert St., Major St., and Brunswick Ave. until May 31. COURTESY MELANIE RAMSAY, BLOOR ANNEX BIA
