Gleaner

Serving Toronto's most liveable community with the Annex Gleaner

ON THE COVER: The Birds of Bloor have landed (May 2022)

May 17th, 2022 · Comments Off on ON THE COVER: The Birds of Bloor have landed (May 2022)

According to Briar De Lange, Executive Director of the Bloor Yorkville BIA, the BIA commissioned this installation as it “wanted to deliver a whimsical, fresh, spring-like display for its sidewalk planting beds.” LISA LOMAX/GLEANER NEWS

Comments Off on ON THE COVER: The Birds of Bloor have landed (May 2022)Tags: Annex · News

NEWS: New highrise planned for Bloor and Spadina (May 2022)

May 17th, 2022 · 2 Comments

Residential development will displace businesses

PROPOSED: Developer’s rendering of the tower. COURTESY BDP QUADRANGLE

By Fox Oliver

A proposed 37-storey highrise in the heart of the Annex could drastically alter the Bloor and Spadina intersection. On November 8, 2021, developer First Capital proposed the construction of a building at 320, 328, and 332 Bloor St. W. 

Designed by architecture firm BDP Quadrangle, the building will have 628 sq. metres of commercial space, 377 residential units, 61 parking spots and 447 bicycle spaces. There will be a new public green space, as well as a path connecting Bloor St. W. with Paul Martel Park.

THEN: Scotiabank at the northeast corner of Bloor and Spadina in 1972. Courtesy City of Toronto Archives

On the proposed site there are currently three mixed-use buildings which house over a dozen businesses and offices. This development will not only displace these businesses, but it will reduce the commercial space from approximately 2000 sq. metres to 628 sq. metres (roughly one third of the size).

There are seven other developments close to the proposed building at 320 Bloor St. W. At 350, 316, and 300 Bloor St. W., there are four highrises in development, as well as one at 145 St. George St. A 23-storey University of Toronto residence is under construction at 700 Spadina Ave., as is an 11-storey purpose-built rental building at 666 Spadina Ave. The International Estonian Centre, KESKUS, held a groundbreaking ceremony on April 8 at 9 Madison Ave. Greater population density at this intersection will increase the number of pedestrians in the area, including in Spadina Station. Sidewalk crowding, due to more pedestrians, can negatively affect the experience of walking through an area, while simultaneously damaging commerce. 

NOW: April 2022, the soon to be demolished retail strip includes Scotiabank, Pizza Pizza, and Fresh. FOX OLIVER/GLEANER NEWS

To many people, replacing these small businesses with highrises feels very damaging to the community. Goodness Me! Natural Food Market (formerly Noah’s Natural Foods) is one of the businesses located on the proposed site. Owner, Sarshad Sahim, is worried that too many towers will damage the unique culture of the Annex.  She said that the food market, in operation since 1984, is well “established within the community. People keep coming back because they have history, and their parents went there years before them.”

If the development goes ahead, Sahim would like current businesses to have the option of returning  to their original locations. At a community meeting, Chris Atkins of First Capital stated that, “given where we [First Capital] are in the [development] process, there have not been discussions with potential tenants or users of that space.”

In response to questions about the building, Atkins said that the residential units would likely be rental units, as opposed to condo units, although he said this could change as the building plan undergoes further revisions.

According to the City of Toronto affordable housing costs 30 per cent or less of before-tax monthly income. As of 2021, for one-bedroom units (one-person households at or below the 60th percentile income) this value was $1090 per month, compared to the average monthly rent of $1980 for a one-bedroom apartment in the Annex. Although representatives from First Capital said that they would engage in discussions about affordable housing, there is no mention of these units in any of the building application documents.

Councillor Mike Layton (Ward 11, University-Rosedale) stated that while the city will continue to negotiate with the developer for the best possible deal for residents, it “cannot force the developer to provide affordable housing.” After repeated attempts by the Gleaner to contact First Capital regarding their plans for affordable housing, they did not reply.

At a community meeting, Layton said that Toronto is experiencing an affordability housing crisis and that developments are important. He believes, however, that “just adding density for the sake of density will not help.” He stressed the importance of looking at how a new development “interacts with the street, the local amenities” and how it can “reinforce what’s great about our communities.” This process involves appropriate and thoughtful use of the commercial space at ground level.

An interesting city bylaw explains why this development has been capped at 37 storeys. The city’s Official Plan states that views of the spire of the former Knox Church, 1 Spadina Cres., must not be obstructed. 

A pedestrian looking north from the College and Spadina intersection must be able to clearly see the spire, as well as have an unobstructed view behind it. This 800 metre long “view corridor” restricts the heights of all buildings within it, limiting changes that can be made to this development.

If this project is approved, it will certainly shape the future of this intersection and the surrounding area. Currently, city planning staff are working with the developer to solve preliminary issues, and they will update the community once these have been resolved.  

READ MORE:

→ 2 CommentsTags: Annex · News

NEWS: PCs pick venture capitalist for University-Rosedale (May 2022)

May 17th, 2022 · Comments Off on NEWS: PCs pick venture capitalist for University-Rosedale (May 2022)

Carl Qiu seeks to attract youth vote 

In 2018, Qiu was elected president of Ontario PC youth, a position he held until 2019. COURTESY CARL QIU

By Carly Penrose

The Progressive Conservatives have an uphill battle in University-Rosedale in the upcoming  provincial election. The district has been a longtime NDP and Liberal stronghold, but Carl Qiu, a venture capital associate, has decided to take up the fight as a member of Doug Ford’s PCs. Qiu hopes to be the first candidate to turn the riding blue in over twenty years. 

Qiu was two years old when his parents immigrated to Canada and settled in University-Rosedale. 

He says that his upbringing—his parents’ hard work to make ends meet—taught him the value of a dollar and reinforced the importance of fiscal responsibility.

Qiu’s education and career path reflect those lessons. He studied business at the University of Toronto and then earned an MBA from the York Schulich School of Business. Over the past   four years he worked at major financial institutions in downtown Toronto and recently joined a global venture capital firm. 

On his campaign site, Qiu says that by working in the finance and investment industry he has developed an important skill set for managing the Ontario economy and supporting businesses.  

Qiu’s top priority is fiscal responsibility and he argues that it should be a major concern for all levels of government. 

In interviews, he has said that debt and government spending should be kept to a minimum. He has stated his opposition to some government programs because he says that average Canadians will be left paying for those programs with their taxes, which he says is unfair.

Although he has not released specific platform points, Qiu has said in previous interviews that affordability and climate change are also pressing issues. 

He feels, however, that solutions to these problems should not burden individuals, which is what he says other parties have done with initiatives like the carbon tax.

While studying for his undergraduate degree, Qiu shared his public sector ambitions in a 2017 interview conducted by the University of Toronto. Soon after, Qiu became an outspoken advocate and member of the Ontario PC party.

In 2018, Qiu was elected president of Ontario PC youth, a position he held until 2019. In this role, Qiu campaigned for federal and provincial PC candidates. 

During the 2019 federal election, Qiu was a regular guest on CBC segments about engaging young voters. Qiu hoped for improved turnout and more excitement about civic and political engagement among youth. 

Now, as a candidate himself, his campaign strategy reflects his experience reaching out to younger, first-time voters. In addition to conventional campaign strategies like canvassing and events, Qiu uses social media platforms like TikTok, which makes him unique among his opponents.  

His focus on youth voter turnout and his knowledge of issues affecting young working professionals could be assets. Qiu is in his late twenties and is the youngest candidate in the University-Rosedale race by approximately a decade. 

He is running in a riding where young people 20 to 29 represent over 22 per cent of the population, according to 2021 census data from Statistics Canada. 

There is a common belief that PC policies do not connect with young voters, but Qiu is attempting to change that narrative.

The Gleaner reached out to Carl Qiu for an interview but was informed that his campaign only responds to written questions.

Comments Off on NEWS: PCs pick venture capitalist for University-Rosedale (May 2022)Tags: Annex · News

CHATTER: Annex Residents’ Association AGM covers pressing issues (May 2022)

May 17th, 2022 · Comments Off on CHATTER: Annex Residents’ Association AGM covers pressing issues (May 2022)

The ecological restoriation of Paul Martel Park (formerly Ecology Park) was one of the agenda items at the ARA’s AGM. The park is now home to a Bloor Annex BIA-sponsored mural created by First Nations artists led by local artist Joseph Sagaj. NEILAND BRISSENDEN/GLEANER NEWS

The Annex Residents’ Association (ARA) held their annual general meeting on April 21 via Zoom. Those in attendance included members of the ARA, residents and representatives from development teams, city council and Toronto Police Service. The most notable discussions were about improving safety on Avenue Road, the West Annex Heritage Project, vandalism at St. Alban’s Square and the restoration of Paul Martel Park. 

In response to concerns about safety on Avenue Road, the Avenue Road Safety Coalition (ARSC) has teamed up with Brown + Storey Architects to propose significant changes to this area. The ARSC describes Avenue Road, between St. Clair Avenue  and Bloor Street, as “a six-lane, high-speed road that is unsafe to pedestrians and cyclists.” The proposed changes would reduce the number of lanes on Avenue Road from six to four and expand the sidewalks from 1.5 to 8.5 metres. The increased space on either side of the road would make room for a linear park or bike lanes. This proposal has not yet been approved by the city.

Sandra Shaul, co-chair of the ARA heritage committee, described the upcoming West Annex Heritage Project. The ARA and the city have collaborated to identify and assess sites for inclusion in the West Annex Heritage Conservation District. Heritage sites are protected from demolition and renovation if the changes harm the heritage value of the property. Property owners can apply for additional funding if the property is damaged or requires maintenance. Shaul stated that heritage conservation is part of maintaining the public realm, and that there is “great merit in doing more designation [of heritage sites].”

One of the longer discussions concerned the destruction of rose bushes at St. Alban’s Square in February, 2022. A concerned citizen felt that their reports about this vandalism had not been taken seriously. Councillor Mike Layton (Ward 11, University-Rosedale) said that the vandal was apprehended but the Crown did not press charges because the damage occurred on Crown land. The concerned resident, who had also maintained the garden, was not satisfied with this update. Representatives from the Toronto Police Service suggested that residents take photos or videos if they notice vandalism and call 911.

Another topic of discussion was the ecological restoration of Paul Martel Park (formerly Ecology Park). Paul Richard, a retired city gardener, has organized a team of Indigenous gardeners to restore the park. He reported that they have received ten weeks of funding which will cover the planting of grasses, flowers, and shrubbery, as well as the restoration of other park features. Richard expressed his gratitude to the community and received a warm reception from members of the ARA. 

—Fox Oliver/Gleaner News

READ MORE:

Comments Off on CHATTER: Annex Residents’ Association AGM covers pressing issues (May 2022)Tags: Annex · News

EDITORIAL CARTOON: How Nice (May 2022)

May 17th, 2022 · Comments Off on EDITORIAL CARTOON: How Nice (May 2022)

Updated Tory Campaign Slogans

SEE MORE BY BRETT LAMB:

Comments Off on EDITORIAL CARTOON: How Nice (May 2022)Tags: Annex · Editorial · Opinion

EDITORIAL: Ford’s climate fiction (May 2022)

May 17th, 2022 · Comments Off on EDITORIAL: Ford’s climate fiction (May 2022)

We are just weeks away from the provincial election and voters are being besieged with election advertising. Every party is making bold claims of course, but the ruling Progressive Conservatives under Doug Ford are touting their environmental credentials, and that is nothing but offensive and absurd.

Ford’s recent love affair with electric vehicles (EV), for example, and the “greening” of steel production should not make us forget his litany of failures on the environment and climate change file that has set this province back decades. 

Upon taking office, Ford cancelled the charging stations planned for provincially controlled highway service centres, scrapped EV rebates and dropped a requirement for new homes to feature wiring for potential EV chargers.  What followed was a series of attacks on anything green, and a refusal to contemplate solutions to a manmade climate crisis of epic proportions.

The PCs cancelled the previous government’s relatively comprehensive “cap and trade” carbon reduction program, triggering a war with the federal government over their carbon pricing schedule—a war Ontario lost at the Supreme Court of Canada. They tore up 700 renewable energy projects, including ripping down nearly completed windmills which cost taxpayers millions in termination fees.

They pledged to build more highways over environmentally sensitive lands— a move that will no doubt induce more sprawl and rewrite planning rules to favour developers. It’s like it’s 1960 all over again.

In favour of resource development, the current government weakened protections for endangered species, removed the province’s toxic use reduction legislation and took apart the regulatory framework that controls industrial water pollution. 

All of this might have caught the attention of then Environmental Commissioner of Ontario, Dianne Saxe. Doug Ford, though, was thinking ahead, so he eliminated that position, thereby denying citizens this vital watchdog. Since the creation of the office in 1994, it held the government, of whatever stripe, to account on environmental files. It reported directly to the Legislature. Given the demonstrated failures of this government, had Saxe been allowed to do her job, we might now be more aware of the damage Doug Ford has inflicted over four years. 

The government seems to be operating under the assumption that those concerned about climate change, the environment, or endangered species would not vote for the PCs anyway. In reality, though, even voters in the 905 regions and beyond, may now be a little more conscious of the implications of climate change. His base may be loyal, but they too can read the government’s own expert advice, for example, about Highway 413—it will save them all of 30 seconds on their daily commute. There is also backlash against this government for using Ministerial Zoning Orders to override local governments in Richmond Hill and Markham in favour of developers. He runs roughshod over democracy for breakfast.

Under Doug Ford, the province moved away from evidence-based decision-making. Do we really need any more proof than the government’s chaotic response to COVID-19? In addition to eliminating the Environment Commissioner Dianne Saxe (who by the way is now running for MPP in University-Rosedale for the Green Party), Ford also fired Molly Shoichet, Ontario’s first chief scientist after only six months into her position. He never let’s the facts get in the way of governing.

We have had government policy seemingly driven by connections and whim; he couldn’t care less if in 100 years the planet is uninhabitable. For Ford, “It’s my way or the highway.” Or just maybe it’s both.

READ MORE EDITORIALS: 

Comments Off on EDITORIAL: Ford’s climate fiction (May 2022)Tags: Annex · Editorial · Opinion

FORUM: A budget for a booming economy (May 2022)

May 17th, 2022 · Comments Off on FORUM: A budget for a booming economy (May 2022)

Inflation, housing and a green transition are all key elements

By Chrystia Freeland

On that Thursday in March, just over two years ago—when our travel plans were hastily cancelled, when our children came home from school, and when we rushed to the grocery store to buy toilet paper and hand sanitizer—we knew then that this virus would disrupt our lives.

But few of us realized quite how much or for quite how long.

Yet here we are. We bent, but we did not break. Canadians have done everything that has been asked of them, and more.

And so, to all of them—to all of you in University-Rosedale—I first want to say thank you!

Last month, I tabled Budget 2022—our plan to grow the economy and make life more affordable for Canadians.

When COVID-19 first hit, Canada suffered a tremendous economic blow. Three million Canadians lost their jobs. Our economy contracted by 17 per cent¬¬—the deepest recession since the Great Depression.

But today, the Canadian economy has not just recovered—it is booming. 

Our real GDP is more than a full percentage point above where it was at the start of the pandemic. As of March 2022, Canada has recovered 115 per cent of the jobs that were lost during those awful first months. We now have an unemployment rate that sits at just 5.3 per cent—the lowest on record. There are more Canadians employed now than before the pandemic.

This is thanks to the remarkable resilience of Canadians, and to the emergency financial assistance we put in place to protect Canadians and Canadian businesses in their time of need.

But while our economy has come roaring back, that doesn’t mean there aren’t more challenges that we need to tackle.

Inflation—a global phenomenon—is making things more expensive in Canada, too. Snarled supply chains have driven prices higher at the checkout counter. Buying a house is out of reach for far too many Canadians. Russia’s illegal and barbaric invasion of Ukraine is directly contributing to higher food and energy prices—both here at home and around the world.

We need to do better, as a country, at innovating and encouraging small businesses to grow. We need to continue to address the existential threat of climate change.

In response to these challenges, Budget 2022 outlines a plan to build a stronger and more resilient economy based on three pillars: investing in Canadians; investing in economic growth and innovation; and investing in the green transition.

Investing in Canadians: Put simply, Canada does not have enough homes. Anyone in Toronto can tell you what that means for housing prices. Budget 2022’s housing measures will put us on the path to double housing construction over the next decade. It will help Canadians save for and buy their first home, ban foreign investment in Canadian housing and curb the unfair practices that make housing more expensive for Canadians. The budget invests in Canadian workers by ensuring they have the skills they need for the good-paying jobs of today and tomorrow, and it will make it easier for skilled immigrants—people our economy needs!—to make Canada their home. The budget also makes further significant investments in affordable child care, in our public health care system and in advancing reconciliation with Indigenous peoples. 

Investing in economic growth and innovation: Our plan includes launching a world-leading Canada Growth Fund that will attract tens of billions of dollars in private investment for  Canadian industries and Canadian jobs. A new innovation and investment agency will help Canadian businesses innovate, grow, and create new jobs. The budget also proposes to implement Canada’s first Critical Minerals Strategy—one that will create thousands of good jobs and capitalize on a growing need for the minerals used in everything from phones to electric cars. Other measures include steps to build more resilient supply chains and to cut taxes for our growing small businesses.

Investing in the green transition: the global economy is changing, and Canada can lead the way on the path to net-zero. 

The Canada Growth Fund will help bring to Canada some of the trillions of dollars in private capital looking to invest in clean industries and jobs. 

In addition to more investments to protect our land, lakes, and oceans, we will also make it more affordable for Canadians to purchase zero-emission vehicles, build and expand a national network of zero-emission vehicle charging stations and make new investments in clean energy.

And to make sure we aren’t leaving our children with bills they won’t be able to pay, we are also continuing to deliver on our fiscal anchor—a declining debt-to-GDP ratio and the unwinding of the COVID-19 deficits we took on to keep Canadians safe. This anchor will ensure our finances remain sustainable for decades to come. Canada has a proud tradition of fiscal responsibility. It is my duty to maintain it—and I will.

Budget 2022 is a responsible plan to grow our economy and make life more affordable for Canadians. It will make it easier for businesses to grow. It will mean more jobs and more prosperity for Canada, and it will mean a better, cleaner economic future for our children. 

And it will make sure that Canada remains the best place in the world to live, work, and raise a family.

Chrystia Freeland is Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance and MP for University-Rosedale. 

READ MORE BY CHRYSTIA FREELAND:

Comments Off on FORUM: A budget for a booming economy (May 2022)Tags: Annex · Editorial · Opinion

FORUM: Build it and they will come (May 2022)

May 17th, 2022 · Comments Off on FORUM: Build it and they will come (May 2022)

Shaw Street, Toronto’s first street with more bikes than cars 

By Mike Layton

When we think of ways to improve Toronto’s cycling network, grand projects such as the bike lanes across the city’s core on Bloor Street or Danforth Avenue, typically come to mind. 

While some of the smaller, quieter changes also improve road safety for cyclists, they tend to be underrated and under-celebrated. 

I want to focus on one such local project that has made a huge impact and is worth celebrating—the Shaw Street Safety Improvements.

New data collected by Transportation Services shows that Shaw Street, the quiet, garden-lined residential street, east of Ossington Avenue, is Toronto’s first street with more bikes than cars.

When the Shaw Street contra-flow lanes were installed in 2013, they quickly became one of the city’s most popular cycling routes. 

In 2020, city staff implemented major upgrades to Shaw Street to improve the operation of the street and the safety of pedestrians and cyclists. 

These upgrades included a directional change to motor vehicle traffic on Shaw Street and adjacent streets to reduce cut-through traffic, the addition of a cycling-only block on Shaw Street between both Essex Streets and upgrades to the contra-flow bike lane. 

The data reveals that the project has accomplished exactly what it set out to do.

Overall, the data shows an increase in cycling on Shaw Street and a decrease in both the speed and number of motor vehicles. 

To highlight a few outstanding statistics, between Harbord and Bloor, cycling volumes are up by 205 per cent, compared to car trips which are down by 60 per cent. 

At its peak, between September and November 2021, there were 4300 bicycle trips compared to just 1479 car trips. 

This trend continues elsewhere on Shaw Street where we see sharp increases in bicycle trips and steady decreases in car trips. 

The data also shows a significant reduction in cut-through motor vehicle traffic on adjacent streets. On Barton Street, where traffic has long been a concern for many in the neighbourhood, there were 1060 fewer car trips over a 24-hour period compared to pre-2020 levels.

There is no doubt that these changes have improved traffic safety for the many commuters, families, and residents who travel and live along Shaw Street. 

We also know that how safe people feel is a significant factor in whether they decide to adopt cycling, which in turn reduces car dependency and eases motor vehicle traffic.

Installing cycling connections on local roads is key to connecting more bike routes throughout the city and should not be overlooked as a critical piece of the puzzle to complete our cycling network. 

It will also play an integral role in cutting emissions and building a greener future for our children.

If you have questions or want more information on this project, or any other, please do not hesitate to contact my office. 

You can also visit www.miklayton.to for the latest on this and many other city-related issues.

Mike Layton is city councillor for Ward 11, University–Rosedale.

READ MORE BY MIKE LAYTON:

Comments Off on FORUM: Build it and they will come (May 2022)Tags: Annex · Editorial · Opinion

FOCUS: Construction begins on Estonian Centre (May 2022)

May 17th, 2022 · Comments Off on FOCUS: Construction begins on Estonian Centre (May 2022)

Ceremony launches ambitious building schedule

Not at all dissuaded by the rain, approximately 100 gathered for the groundbreaking. BRIAN BURCHELL/GLEANER NEWS

By Joshua Snow

KESKUS International Estonian Centre, located at 9 and 11 Madison Ave., held their official construction launch on April 8. The expected opening date is October 2023. 

KESKUS replaces Toronto Estonian House, and it will be a vibrant community hub dedicated to celebrating Estonian heritage and innovation. 

A gathering place for Estonians and the public, the venue will include classrooms, a grand hall, and a café. 

It will also house the Estonian Credit Union, the Estonian Choir, and Estonian schools.  

Construction began in early March, and the groundbreaking marked a milestone for the Estonian community. 

“This is finally the historical moment with this monumental project,” said Ellen Valter, a project leader at KESKUS. 

At the ceremony, many people flew Estonian and Canadian flags, and former Governor General, Adrienne Clarkson, spoke about the valuable contributions immigrants make to Canada: 

View, looking East from Madison Avenue, of the soon to be constructed Estonian Cultural Centre. The proposal has widespread support from the residents’ association and the city alike. COURTESY ALAR KONGATS

“This is the beauty of Canada … We bring our culture and contribute to the fabric of Canada. Don’t ever forget where you come from. We must be united in our stand for freedom, and support countries around the world in their pursuit of independence,” said Clarkson.

The five-day opening ceremonies will celebrate the facility and Estonian culture. 

“Estonia is seen as a tiny nation capable of running big ideas. KESKUS brings the vision of a stunning contemporary Estonian cultural centre to life,” said Valter.

“For five days we will make Toronto rock in all harmonies Estonian,” Valter continued. 

Estonia’s ambassador to Canada, Toomas Lukk, attended the construction launch and received the first invitation to the opening ceremonies. 

“This landmark international centre, to go from dream to reality is a great source of pride for Estonia and for Estonians everywhere,” said Lukk.

KESKUS provided updates about the project through a virtual community engagement webinar on March 24. 

“We expect to be done by October 2023, but on time and under budget is seldom the case,” Valter said. 

The total project budget is approximately $41 million.  

“Leadership donors doubled and tripled their donations to ensure the construction of KESKUS could responsibly begin,” said Liisa Käärid, board chair of the Estonian Arts Centre. 

Built by the Estonian community, KESKUS International Estonian Centre is the first of its kind in over half a century.

READ MORE:

Comments Off on FOCUS: Construction begins on Estonian Centre (May 2022)Tags: Annex · General · Life

FOCUS: Annex Food Hall pivots to Asian night market (May 2022)

May 17th, 2022 · Comments Off on FOCUS: Annex Food Hall pivots to Asian night market (May 2022)

“Rising tides raise all boats”

Superfresh is named after the 24-hour Korean-owned grocery store that operated out of this location for many years.

By Danielle Popov

The Annex Food Hall closed during the pandemic, but it will soon be reborn as an all Asian-owned 4,000 sq. foot night market called Superfresh. 

Outside the market, a neon sign says fresh in Korean and Mandarin. Rachel Lee, a bartender at one of the new vendors, explains that “we’re not one restaurant, we’re multiple restaurants taking care of each other. At the end of the day, if one restaurant is struggling, everyone is struggling. We thought it was the best time, even with the help of the government.” 

Superfresh celebrates Asian pop culture with a nostalgic twist.

Superfresh evokes an Asian night market and transports visitors to an alleyway in Korea, Northern China, Nepal or Taiwan. Featuring cuisines from different parts of Asia, the market also celebrates Asian pop culture with a nostalgic twist, from the décor to the name itself. Superfresh was Toronto’s first 24-hour Korean-owned grocery store that operated at this location for many years.

The market was cofounded by James Lee, (owner of the former Annex Food Hall), Trevor Lui (Joybird), Jae Pak and Dave Choi, and it will include Joybird Fried Chicken, Big Beef Bowl (traditional Lanzhou-style hand-pulled noodles) and Auntie’s Supply (a superette featuring snacks popular with millennials). The other vendors remain a surprise.  

The night market aims to transport visitors to an alleyway in Korea, Northern China, Nepal or Taiwan.

“Rising tides raise all boats,” said owner, James Lee, about the collective decision to replace the food hall with a concept many years in the works. Lee would like Superfresh to be a cultural and community hub, as well as destination hot spot. In addition to celebrating Asian food, the market will feature a bodega, pop-ups, live DJs, and events in secret locations.  

Superfresh opened to the public on May 14, 2022.  

READ MORE:

Comments Off on FOCUS: Annex Food Hall pivots to Asian night market (May 2022)Tags: Annex · General · Life

ARTS: A corridor of possibilities (May 2022)

May 17th, 2022 · Comments Off on ARTS: A corridor of possibilities (May 2022)

Photography festival explores the shocking and the everyday

Vista, 2021, by Alison Galley from the Lifescapes: Through the Lens exhibit at the Dignam Gallery is part of the Scotiabank Contact Photography Festival. COURTESY ALISON GALLEY/THE DIGNAM GALLERY

By Meribeth Deen

It’s been a long winter, so you may have forgotten, but you live in a destination hot spot. The days are getting longer and warmer, so there’s no excuse not to get out there and find a little inspiration. You live in the Annex, so you don’t need to travel very far—the Bloor St. Culture Corridor is at your doorstep: museums, films, concerts, art exhibitions, theatre performances, family events, and classes. 

All these opportunities represent some of Toronto’s cultural diversity, including French, Jewish, Italian, Estonian, Japanese and Indigenous.  

The Scotiabank CONTACT Photography Festival takes place in May in galleries throughout the city—it’s a great time to delve into the raw realism this medium has to offer.

Presented by The Istituto Italiano di Cultura at 496 Huron St., the exhibit Surviving Humanity takes place at the Allen Lambert Galleria (Brookfield Place, 181 Bay St.) and features works by Italian photographer and journalist, Alberto Giuliana. Giuliana’s focus is on how human ingenuity might prevent our extinction from climate change, and the installation confronts a question asked by Giuliani’s children: “How will the world be when we grow up?” In the following statement, he elucidates the project.

Eden Project biospheres, Cornwall, UK, 2017 by Alberto Giuliani is on display at the Allen Lambert Galleria (Brookfield Place, 181 Bay St.). COURTESY ALBERTO GIULIANI/ INSTITUTO CULTURA ITALIANO

“My life as a journalist and explorer revolved around a single goal—to find a way to defy death, and in broader sense, to learn how the massive changes facing the planet were being addressed. 

“For the first time in world history, these changes were jeopardizing the survival of a large part of the population. After all, there was a prophecy for that too—humankind itself was said to face extinction. 

“In pursuit of such answers, I crossed the globe…and the steps I took led to the cities of the future, havens deep in the earth’s core, safe from outside cataclysms. The things I learned, and the people I had the privilege of meeting—scientists, luminaries, astronauts, researchers, visionaries, politicians—were more than anything I could ever have imagined.”

Next stop is, Tartu College, located at 310 Bloor St. W. Organized by VEMU, Estonian Museum in Canada, the exhibit Ukrainian Frontline Photography presents photographs that document the war in Ukraine. 

The exhibit includes works by Ukrainian street photographers as well as the Estonian photographer, Dmitry Kotjuh. Here is how the Bloor Street Culture Corridor website describes the photographs: “They show crushed municipal and civil buildings, vehicles, and bridges; soldiers and ordinary citizens with all kinds of weapons and Molotov cocktails; carrying the deceased ones and rescuing domestic animals; rolling suitcases on ruined streets, fire, and smoke in snowy trenches. The exhibit runs until the end of July. 

The Dignam Gallery, at 23 Prince Arthur Ave. presents Lifescapes:  Through the Lens, a group photography exhibition by members of the Women’s Art Association of Canada.

Who knows what other cultural gems you’ll find in the corridor just by stepping out of your house this month. If you encounter anything particularly great or inspiring, let the Gleaner know! 

Comments Off on ARTS: A corridor of possibilities (May 2022)Tags: Annex · Arts

ON THE COVER: Bird Seeded (Spring 2022)

April 11th, 2022 · 1 Comment

Coming up April 20 to 30 at the Women’s Art Association of Canada (WAAC) is the Barbara Feith Memorial Exhibition. Feith, who passed away on Feb. 11, 2021 was an inaugural member of the Royal Conservatory of Music and a long-time member of WAAC. In recognition of a very generous bequeath, WAAC has designated her former studio as the Barbara Feith studio for their artist-in-residence program. COURTESY WOMEN’S ART ASSOCIATION OF CANADA

→ 1 CommentTags: Annex · News