We’d like to welcome Linda Belo to Roncesvalles Village. She has opened Belo Fashions Boutique, a wedding gown and evening wear store, at 420 Roncesvalles Avenue. Linda tells me that she and her clientele are excited to become a part of Roncesvalles Village. Her grand opening is still a little while away, but she is open for business, so please … Read More
Mystery Sign Maker Strikes Again!
This past week a number of new signs appeared on construction fencing and gravel piles on Roncesvalles, much to our delight! Clearly this is the work of the same mystery messenger who festooned the neighbourhood with the “So Sucky!” signs that Torontoist reported on a while back. We really liked the “Mt. Roncy” and “♥ Roncy” signs. A good sense … Read More
Tłusty Czwartek (Fat Thursday) Comes To Roncesvalles
An annual Polish tradition, Fat Thursday is the last hurrah before the fasting perios of Lent. Traditionally, celebrants feast on Fat Thursday, particularly on the popular (and really tasty!) Polish “donut” called pączki (pronounced POONCH-kee) and faworki (“angel wing” pastry.) What a better day to try out something tasty! Tłusty Czwartek is big on Roncesvalles. You can expect brisk business … Read More
Another Story Raises Community Funds
We would like to congratulate Another Story Bookstore for their holiday fundraising efforts. Their annual holiday gift-wrapping campaign raises funds for worthy charities. This year they raised $1204 for PARC (Parkdale Activity and Recreation Centre), an important community centre serving Parkdale and Roncesvalles Village. This is yet another example of the terrific community spirit shown by businesses up and down … Read More
Disappearing Trees At Roncesvalles and Fermanagh
Last week we noticed that two large trees at 150 Fermanagh Avenue (at Roncesvalles) had been cut down. The BIA asked what happened to those trees, and here is what we learned from the City: The trees were on private property, and the owner requested permission from the city to remove the trees. One was apparently unhealthy, and the other … Read More
Silver Spoon To Close January 22
From the recent article in Toronto Life: The Roncesvalles institution Silver Spoon is closing in the next two weeks, but chef and owner Rocco Agostino says the never-ending construction on the neighbourhood’s main drag isn’t the reason why he’s packing up. “It’s bittersweet. I’m not going to lie that I didn’t get emotional,” says Agostino, who also heads the kitchen … Read More
Can lessons from the St. Clair streetcar project be applied here?
The TTC has just published “Getting it Right: Lessons from the St. Clair Streetcar for the Implementation of Transit City,” written by Les Kelman and Richard Soberman. The report details the missteps that led to delays and cost overruns with the St. Clair transit project. The Globe and Mail sums up the report’s conclusions nicely: “The price tag of the … Read More
Victoria Flower Shop Moves On…
Alicia, who operated Victoria Flower Shop at 420 Roncesvalles Avenue for 18 years, closed her shop last Friday. She has been thinking about retiring from the flower business for quite some time, and recently sold her property and tells me that she’s looking forward to a lengthy holiday. We wish her all the best in her future endeavours. I had … Read More
Rough Renovations
Toronto Star by Jesse McLean Business is good again on Roncesvalles Ave. – at least until Monday. For months, the street has been choked with construction as work crews dug up and replaced nearly century-old water and sewage pipes. On Dec. 22, construction wrapped up for the holiday season. “It’s amazing how it’s picked back up again. Obviously not back … Read More
Happy Holidays from the Roncesvalles Village BIA
Thanks to everyone who attended our “Pictures With Santa” event at the Revue and all those who packed the theatre for the BIA-sponsored free screening of “The Grinch Who Stole Christmas” this past Saturday. We had record attendance, and lots and lots of happy kids got their pictures taken with Santa. Special thanks to Tenzin Dorjee at Impact Photography and … Read More