Scott McGillivray is putting his money where his mouth is in new show Buyers Bootcamp

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9:43 am

If you haven’t heard, the U.S. seems to love Canadian HGTV personalities like the Property Brothers just as much as we do. So it’s no surprise that Income Property’s Scott McGillivray has a new show on the DIY network premiering March 3.

For Buyers Bootcamp, McGillivray teams up with amateur real estate investors, lays down his own capital and helps them flip a property for a profit. The show will also air on HGTV Canada come April 1.

In each episode, McGillivray takes a tour of two homes, each needing a renovation before hitting the market. He decides which house will give him the most bang for his buck, partners with the homeowners to tackle the reno and invests his own money in the project. If they succeed, they split the profits.

Midtown master opens Canada’s first standup sushi spot

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Andrew Mannsbach

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10:46 am

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If you’re one minute early to Tachi, the hostess will point to the LCD clock, showing the time in red, and very politely ask you to return at the exact time of your reservation. This attention to detail extends all the way through the omakase sushi meal.

Found at Assembly Chef’s Hall (111 Richmond St. W.), Tachi is Canada’s first and only standup omakase restaurant, brought to us by two co–exec chefs from Shoushin: Tsuyoshi Yoshinaga and, of course, Jackie Lin.

This food adventure sees a maximum of eight standing patrons being fed 11 nigiri and one hand roll apiece over the course of 30 minutes. No more, no less. Recently the chefs have included Boston uni (sea urchin) and Japanese yellowtail and hotate (scallop) in a meal that will transport you to Tokyo.

Tachi, (located in Assembly Chef’s Hall) 111 Richmond Street West, no phone number.

Local Love: Bone & Busk designer Katharina Mior chats corsets, creativity and David Bowie

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Andrew Mannsbach

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9:58 am

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This week in Canadian fashion, all eyes are on the west coast. Vancouver Fashion Week (VFW) has set up camp in downtown Van City and is celebrating a casual 18 years of success. Compared to Toronto’s still somewhat scattered fashion offerings, things are different out west. First of all, the fashion week is, in fact, a week in length. Secondly, while there are 24 Canadian designers showcasing their goods, the platform is far more global, with designers hailing from 15 countries.

We chatted with Katharina Mior, designer of Toronto’s gothic Bone & Busk label about why she opted to show across the country, how her latest collection is an artist’s reaction to our go-go-go culture and the transformative effect corsets possess.

You’re based in Toronto and have shown at Fashion Art Toronto here — why hop across the country to show in Vancouver? I have performed all over the world, so a quick trip to Vancouver wouldn’t be out of the ordinary for me. (I actually rejected a gig in Dubai for the same week, so it’s saved me from a long flight!) Getting into the fashion week circuit has always piqued my interest, as first and foremost I am an entertainer, and I enjoy being able to produce an experience with clothing. Fashion is just an extension of my overall artistic vision.

What can we expect from your most recent collection — what was your creative jumping off point? Lately, I have been reflecting on the current state of artistic development in the world, particularly within the performing art and music scenes. The deaths of David Bowie and Prince in particular felt devastating. We are losing artists from a time where art was given room to breathe. We are never going to see that ever again. Today, we embrace everything that is fast and easy to consume. So much art that is created today feels like a first impulse — not a refined and calculated decision — because the need to produce content is at an all-time high, thanks to social media.

The subcultures being created are actively rejecting the values of creativity that we upheld. It’s a difficult time to be an artist. I try to focus on my work to reflect the tenants of slow fashion: ethically sourced textiles, locally produced in small batches, in-house bespoke couture creation. This year’s collection is a tribute to those artists that inspire us. Maybe inspire us to take control over our own work and do better. Expect a lot of rich velvets, sequins, new coat styles and corsetry that can be integrated into street wear.

So what did first draw you to architectural corsetry? There are many points of intersection to my fascination with corsetry: from 15 years of professional experience working as a street performer alongside top notch sideshow artists who value the discipline of body modification, to my obsession with collecting antiques that stems from my childhood interest in numismatics and memento mori, to the DIY culture of the goths and punks from the late ’90s. I love the architecture and engineering, the physical and biological. Transformative art has always been my modus operandi: from transforming streets into a stage to transforming a body through dedication and a well-made corset.

How long does it take to craft one of your most intricate corsets, from start to finish? A fully bespoke corset can take anywhere from 16 to 100 hours depending on the complexity of the garment and embellishment. We service a wide range of clientele who have a variety of demands, everything from simple tightlacing pieces to finely hand stitched chantilly lace appliques.

What tends to be the reaction when a customer first dons a corset? How do you find their attitude shifts? One of the most common refrains we hear is how comfortable the corset is. A well-made corset should not be restrictive or hurt: it should feel supportive and comfortable. It is impossible to deny how impacting a corset can be for an individual: from the trans clients whose eyes light up to see the body they always knew existed, to the plus-sized client who expresses relief to never have to wear an underwire bra again, to the bride crying at the sight of their finished garment, to person suffering from back injury who feels instant relief. We are grateful for all of our clients that choose us to work with them in whatever capacity they require.

Vancouver Fashion Week runs until March 25; Bone & Busk will also be showing at Fashion Art Toronto, Apr. 17-21

Stintz on Midtown: After years of construction, Midtown deserves a better public space

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4:12 pm

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Nearly 100 years ago, the Toronto Transit Commission, then named the Toronto Transportation Commission, purchased nearly 10 acres of land at Yonge Street and Eglinton Avenue. Since the TTC did not need all the land to operate its buses, streetcars and then the subway line, it became a landlord along the way.

As a way of bringing additional revenue to the TTC, long-term leases were signed with tenants and many are still operating today. The current tenants include the Canadian Tire Office, the Cineplex Odeon Theatre and parking complex, and the Mandarin.

In addition to the tenants, the TTC owns the current staging area for Metrolinx and the bus bays that operate onto Duplex Avenue.

When the leases were negotiated, the Yonge subway had opened and operated from Union Station to Eglinton. Although there were some apartments in the area, it was not an employment hub, so the city leaders of the day likely used the 100-year lease to entice corporations to locate at a transit hub. Today, the land is some of the most valuable in the Greater Toronto Area and a significant redevelopment opportunity.

Although the TTC has collected $75 million in revenue, the rents are below market rates.

The leases are up for renewal in 2021, which is also when Metrolinx expects to complete the Eglinton Crosstown LRT. The timing creates an opportunity for the City of Toronto to consider these 10 acres and engage in some city building.

Various city agencies have attempted to sort out the long-term leases. Initially it was the Toronto Transit Commission, then Build Toronto and now a new city development corporation, CreateTO.

In 2016, Toronto City Council directed CreateTO to work with the tenants and come back to council with the cost of buying out the leases.

Two years later, Don Loggie, the lead for development at the new agency admitted there is not much to report. Although discussions are ongoing, tenants are not interested in terminating the current leases.

In spite of the development opportunity that exists, it is unlikely the city will be able to terminate these leases in the next three years, except for one parcel that will be returned to the TTC in 2021 — the former bus terminal currently being used by Metrolinx in the construction of the Crosstown. Once the staging site is no longer required, it becomes surplus land.

The next opportunity won’t be until 2070 when all the leases expire.

The city may try to develop the smaller portion of the site, but doing so would miss out on a bigger opportunity. The air rights over the parcel have also been sold.

In light of the challenges, the city has an opportunity to completely rethink how that space should function for midtown. The land creates a perfect opportunity to add parkland to an area that is lacking in green space. It could also function as a civic square with urban art that draws people to the area.

When the leases are terminated in 2070, the city will have an opportunity to rethink the development potential. Between now and then the greatest use for the former bus terminal is a public space that offers a little respite from the construction that has dominated the area for the last 20 years.

Plan to build 14 storeys near Hogg’s Hollow met with criticism from North York residents

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2:38 pm

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A development proposal for a 14-storey residential building in North York has been met with resounding criticism from North York residents and the local councillor alike.

During the City of Toronto community consultation meeting on Feb. 13 at St. John’s York Mills Anglican Church, the consensus was overwhelmingly against the Goldberg Group application for a development at 4155 Yonge St. across from the historic Auberge du Pommier north of York Mills Road.

Trevor Jones, vice-president of the Yonge Ridge Homeowners’ Association, declared to the audience of about 150 people that the proposal was “an invasion on the privacy of our community” and “an unbridled assault on the historical character of this neighbourhood developed and maintained over the past 200 years.”

“Residents are very disillusioned. There’s a lot of outrage,” said Ward 25 councillor Jaye Robinson.

Among the concerns raised by community members are that the mechanical penthouse would push the total building height above 15 storeys, the proposed height of the development would dwarf adjacent buildings and the site is set back only one metre from the bottom of the valley’s slope instead of the bylaw-required 10 metres.

According to the York Mills Office Centre Secondary Plan, a five-storey office building had been pre-approved for the site.

“We hope the city will reject this proposal and that the developer will truly listen to the community and propose something that is right for this location,” said Mitchell Shnier of the St. Andrew’s Ratepayers Association.

This isn’t the first time a developer has proposed a high-rise property in the area and received disapproval by residents. In 2013, a 10-storey condominium building proposal was ultimately rejected by the Ontario Municipal Board (OMB) after community members fought against it.

Given that this proposed building is even higher, councillor Robinson said residents are preparing for another potentially long battle.

“We’re back in the boxing ring for round two,” she said.

Some of the tactics used by the applicant also drew the ire of residents. Prior to the public meeting — generally considered the first step of the process — the developer had already filed an appeal at the OMB.

“That is without a doubt the most disconcerting thing about this application,” said councillor Robinson, adding that the move “completely usurps the city’s planning process and is completely disrespectful to the neighbourhood.”

A City of Toronto planner is currently in the process of compiling a report and recommendation. Goldberg Group declined to speak to press about the proposed development.

An appeal has been submitted to the OMB over contentious Jaffari Village development

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Andrew Mannsbach

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3:20 pm

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An appeal has been submitted to the OMB by the Islamic Shia Ithna-Asheri Jamaat of Toronto (ISIJ) regarding a large-scale development known as Jaffari Village. This appeal follows over four years of community conflict over the proposal to turn the 28-acre plot of land at 9000 Bathurst St. in Thornhill Woods into a community centre and residential hub.

The passage of the Province of Ontario’s Building Better Communities and Conserving Watersheds Act, which will see an overhaul of the OMB, took place on Dec. 12, 2017, effectively creating a deadline for which developers could submit their applications under the old model. The application to appeal was filed in mid-November, according to Shafiq Ebrahim, vice-president of the ISIJ.

“The pure reason for [filing with the OMB] is that our appeal would be heard under the previous governance and not under the revised governance,” said Ebrahim, “We’re just protecting our rights.”

The proposal, first submitted in October 2013, calls for two new residential and commercial buildings, at the height of six and eight storeys respectively, and 60 townhomes. It also includes a new high school.

“They are appealing to indecision of the original application, so they’re saying that the application was in the city for four years and the city hadn’t made a decision,” said Rom Koubi, president of the Preserve Thornhill Woods Association. “[But] the city did make a decision back in September of 2014 when they rejected that application.”

Throughout subsequent resubmissions, City of Vaughan staff and residents found issues with the project’s encroachment into the adjacent ravine land, as well as the parking and traffic strain that would be caused by the hundreds of new residents on this largely low-rise residential area.

“We have dealt with all the aspects with regard with height, the density, the parking, the traffic, the environmental and heritage issues,” said Ebrahim. “This is after four years and a series of 29 working group meetings and at least five revisions to the original plans.”

In a statement, Ward 4 councillor Sandra Yeung Racco wrote, “Over the years, staff from the City of Vaughan has listened and worked with residents, the developers, as well as with York Region and the Toronto and Region Conservation Authority to review the proposed development plans and to address the concerns raised by the community.”

Local Love: Ross Mayer branches out into menswear with new FW/18 collection

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Andrew Mannsbach

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9:25 am

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A fashion industry mainstay for over a quarter of a century, Ross Mayer is known for his glammed-out approach to womenswear. The designer has been all over Toronto as of late, popping up at Toronto Fashion Week in Yorkville in addition to a collective presentation at TOM* Tweed, a cannabis-inspired runway show, plus a solo show at the same Toronto’s men’s fashion week.

What’s the grand occasion (other than fashion)? Mayer has finally dipped his um, fabric shears into the well that is menswear, showcasing designs that speak to him directly.

We spoke to the designer about his FW/18 collection, the man that is Mayer, and why it’s so important to support Canadian fashion.

You’re known for your womenswear — why did you decide to branch out into menswear at this point in time? I have wanted to do this for quite a while and the timing just seemed so right. Guys everywhere are really coming into themselves with their wardrobes and overall appearances and that’s so exciting! Traditionally, it was women that were taking the spotlight but now men are vying for that same spot, showcasing their individual style.

How would you describe the Mayer Man? Are you designing your ultimate dream wardrobe or is this for a fantasy man? The collection is really focused on coats and jackets — the foundation of every guy’s wardrobe. I think my major push and inspiration in designing the collection was the lack of really great quality pieces that were unique and had that cool factor yet retain a sense of timelessness that can be in our closets for years.

Ross Mayer’s FW/18 collection focuses on coats and jackets

What’s the inspiration behind the FW/18 collection — was there anything in particular that really struck a chord and set you off? The collection is really my dream wardrobe that incorporates all my essential must-haves together with statement making prices that encapsulate my vision of “luxe-meets-street.” When I put the collection together I was really inspired by juxtaposition. I wanted formal jackets and coats to pair up with supercool pieces — whether it be a metallic hoodie or a great pair of athletic joggers… I think this concept is so modern and is really the way so many of us want to dress now!

How important is it to you that your garments remain based in Toronto? Has there been much pressure to move production abroad? I cannot say this proudly enough, that for over 25 years in my women’s business and now men’s, we make locally right here in Canada — specifically Toronto. Canadian workmanship is absolutely superb and clients see that! Supporting our industry in terms of jobs and the local economy is crucial and we are so proud to say that our garments are “Made with Love in Canada.”

Where do you see the future of Canadian fashion? Why is it important for Canadians to support local talent? There is so much Canadian talent out there and it’s really our time to shine! On the international stage we are still a small player but I see that changing as attention is focusing our way with some pretty major talent coming through in not just fashion but in the entertainment industry and many other fields. So come on everyone, search out the best of the best; it’s right here in Canada!

Mayer Man by Ross Mayer.

March Break swimwear picks

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Andrew Mannsbach

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10:01 am

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It’s still winter and we’re over it. We got Jeanne to find the city’s most striking swimwear options just in time for a quick March jaunt down south.

A) SEEING GREEN
Avec Plaisir, 136 Cumberland St., $385 + $370
“I absolutely love the colour. Green just came on so strong this past season. There’s a retro vibe.”

B) NAUGHTY-CAL
Sandpipers, 87 Yorkville Ave., $240
“Boy, is this sexy with the laces down the side! And in the back it’s nice and low cut. Very playful.”

C) RUFFLE UP
Melmira, 3319 Yonge St., $356
“This is fantastic! Love the one shoulder, the asymmetry…”

D) IN BLOOM
Minnow Bathers, $180
“Gorgeous floral — they collaborated with an artist for the print. Young and hot.”

E) ROSIE POSY
6 by Gee Beauty, 6 Roxborough St. W., $130 + $100
“There’s something so demure about the cut of this little top. A great look.”

F) PAINTER PLAY
Shan, $365
“Shan is one of my favourite swimwear designers. She’s Canadian and truly someone we can be proud of.”

G) FOLKSY FRILL
Rêve Rouge, Bayview Village, $355
“So sweet with the colours, the ruffles, the little sleeves.… Very whimsical and feminine.”

H) SIDE STRIPE
Hudson’s Bay, Yorkdale mall, $140
“I love the one shoulder aspect, and there is some nice support in this one, which is really great.”

I) AFRICAN INSPO
Andrea Iyamah, $310
“Wow! I love the dual fabrication with the mesh. Very clever. Very sexy.”

Marvellous house-made pasta dishes of the day are the jewel in Annabelle’s crown

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Andrew Mannsbach

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3:17 pm

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Every once in a while a restaurant opens and captures my heart instantly. I can see myself stopping in every week, the servers, no matter their age, morphing into favourite aunts and uncles whose pleasure it is to make me happy — and well-fed.

Annabelle is that place. And such a bummer that they don’t take reservations. But persist. Sunday at 6 p.m. is a good time to get a table.

The downstairs is cosy, entertaining with the bustle of the open kitchen, a few small oak tables: homey. Upstairs I like better. No winter draft, more tables (two of them hightops), warm brick walls, with gilt-framed mirrors and antlers, and a casual vibe. One wall is black and white toile wallpaper. Neighbourhood toddlers scarf down their pasta and learn epicurean gentility. It’s all just cool enough to be the new epicentre of the up-and-coming Christie and Davenport neighbourhood.

Annabelle’s owners also own BOB Coffee Bar at Christie and Davenport. Casual hipster Italiana is their middle name. Forget the different takes on Negronis. The two I tried (frizzante and orange blossom) were highly forgettable, a way to detract from the intensity of my second favourite cocktail. The chalkboard menu and pasta choices change daily, but holy cow, $10 buys their marvellous house-made pappardelle with zucchini ribbons and fresh ricotta, full of flavour.

And $10 also buys their splendid rigatoni with super pork sausages in rich tomato sauce jazzed with the bitter of rapini and the mellow of romano beans. Among their pasta offerings avoid only the crab cannelloni, whose contents taste canned.

I love the burrata. Who doesn’t love mozzarella with a heart of cream? The blackboard informs about the daily burrata. My fave sits on puréed butternut squash (clearly enhanced with the demon butter) with walnuts and beets. I am also entranced by shrimp and polpo with fingerling potatoes. The octopus are just slightly charred, and it’s all bathed in wonderful spicy red sauce, Annabelle’s house-made answer to Sriracha.

Spicy pork meatballs with romesco are cute little meatballs awash in spicy romesco, a splendid Spanish sauce built of puréed nuts, chilies, red peppers and garlic. For $8! You can’t beat that in Toronto. This is a kitchen with heart. They cook with soul and passion, and they’re charging $10 for a plate of marvellous pasta!

As if that were not enough, try the salted caramel panna cotta dessert. It looks like a panna cotta I might make — as if somebody had a problem getting it out of the mould, they cursed out loud and then served it anyway. So it’s all broken up in unattractive pieces. But oh the taste! Salted caramel and cream is the (animal fat) hill I could die on.

Annabelle Pasta Bar, 909 Davenport Road, no phone.

7 Restaurant Success Stories from the Yonge Street Strip

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Andrew Mannsbach

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2:15 pm

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Post City X Yonge Street

City strollers, weekend walkers and foodies all gravitate to Yonge Street, the hub of Toronto’s downtown, for a taste of something special.

Its restaurants are some of the city’s finest, with a selection of top Toronto restaurateurs setting up shop. We hit the strip to give you the rundown on the best eateries that Yonge Street has to offer, from middle eastern dining to pub grub.

Here are their stories…

The Abbot Pub & Fare
Chris Davis & Carrie McCloy, Owners
3367 Yonge St., 416.544.9074

Chris and Carrie came up with the idea for a high end pub back in the nineties, before “gastropub” was even in our vocabulary. They enjoyed the fun comfortable atmosphere of a pub, but craved creative house made dishes of high quality ingredients…and good wines!

The Abbot opened in May of 2000 to a packed house. The Yonge-Lawrence area was obviously the right fit for this concept. The restaurant business is notoriously difficult but it comes naturally to Chris and Carrie, both have been in the business since they were teenagers. They claim their success is due to great staff and wonderful customers.

The Abbot team knows about quality service. The kitchen crew is extremely talented, elevating traditional dishes into great meals, and the floor staff is very professional, while excellent at making you feel like part of the family. A neighborhood restaurant is measured by its regular clientele. “Many of our customers have been coming in since day one. Some couples even met here and now they bring their children!”

What does the future hold? “With our second location in full swing (The Abbot on Eglinton, 508 Eglinton Ave. West) maybe a franchise…”

C’est Bon
Steve & Wonder Chen, Owners
2685 Yonge St., 416.932.2811

C’est Bon was set up in 2000 and success didn’t come easy. It was only after seemingly endless experimenting that eventually created award-winning recipes. The top quality of ingredients used with the impeccable service soon was rewarded with a loyal clientele which enabled the restaurant to manage to stay afloat during the SARS crisis.

Located north of Eglinton on Yonge St., C’est Bon is a local mainstay. Customer favourites are plentiful at C’est Bon. Among them: General Tsao’s Chicken, Crispy Ginger Beef, Seafood Cantonese Chow Mein and of course, the award-winning Sweet & Sour Chicken. According to Steve, the restaurant is best known for its Basil Chicken which is prepared in a homemade sweet soy sauce with garlic, ginger and garden-fresh basil. Vegetarians are in luck as well with a variety of options on the menu including a braised tofu dish with shitake mushrooms.

Steve attributes much of his success to his mother, Wonder Chen. He says her hard-working spirit taught him never to give up. Wonder always encouraged him saying that hard work would be requited with good things.

Tabülè Middle Eastern Cuisine
Rony Goriachy, Owner
2009 Yonge St., 810 Queen St. E., Bayview Village, 494 Front St. E., 416.483.3747, 416.465.2500

Husband and wife Rony Goraichy and Diana Sideris planned to open a middle eastern restaurant. In 2006, they opened the doors to Tabülè & rave reviews followed. They don’t aim to be edgy, they go the traditional route making sure the food is always fresh, delicious and served by friendly staff. They doubled the size of the Yonge location and added a successful delivery, catering and wholesale division. The 2nd location at 810 Queen St East opened in May 2013 and it was one of the most anticipated openings of the year. They kept their original menus but added more gluten free options, vegan selections and a refined cocktail list. Their 3rd location in the Canary District opened July 2016 and their 4th location in Bayview Village Shopping Mall in late Fall of the same year.

They believe they achieved success by developing relationships with their clientele and the high quality of their food and service. “People keep coming back and telling others and that is success to me” says Rony. Tabülè has been voted Best Middle Eastern Restaurant by several magazines, voted Best World Cuisine, Top 100 Restaurants 2010 by Joanne Kates – Post City Magazines, Best of Toronto –Toronto Life and has a rating of Excellent in Zagat.

Koek + Koek Food Co.
Nikki Hall, Owner
2685 Yonge St., 416.901.0209

Drawing inspiration from European Cafe-Restaurants, Nikki Hall set out to replicate a similar experience for Toronto diners: delicious food, attentive service and a welcoming atmosphere. Doubling as a gourmet quick-serve health food establishment that transitions into a bistro at night, the end result at Koek + Koek is a winning dining experience. All food is made in house, from scratch everyday, using only the freshest and highest quality ingredients.

Nikki is most proud of the success of the Family Feeds under Fifty. While preparing and cooking meals for our families is something many people enjoy, it’s not always possible to pull it all off. Not willing to sacrifice the family meal bonding time or compromise on the quality of food, Nikki created meals for families that are guilt free, nutritional and feed a family of four for under $50. They only prepare 25 of the family meals a day to ensure the quality and freshness. “I test everything on my own Guinea Pig children. However, you can have the greatest concept or recipes, but if we can’t consistently deliver a quality experience, our friends, families and customers won’t come back for it. That is why we cap the number of meals we provide.”

Capocaccia Trattoria
Salvatore Mele, Owner
1366 Yonge St., 416.921.3141

Capocaccia started from very humble beginnings in 2003 by Salvatore Mele. Salvatore set out to open a bakery and hot table but quickly realized the concept wasn’t going to work. He needed a sit down restaurant that would cater to the overflow of hungry patrons looking for a good, wholesome, food experience. He transformed into a neighbourhood trattoria inspired by the rustic cuisine of southern Italy. His belief that food, like most things in life, should be left to it’s own natural beauty. No funny adaptations, just flavourful southern Italian cooking.

Capocaccia offers house made pastas, and mouth watering roman style pizzas using the finest ingredients. Our Chef’s De Gustazione tasting menu. 4 courses which allows the chef to take you on a truly unique dining experience. Salvatore believes the secret to his success is simple, he states “We feel honoured and indebted to the community, loyal patrons and friends for our reputation and supporting our commitment to quality and service. A walk through our doors ensures guests are welcomed with a genuine hospitality experience”.

Holy Chuck
Johnny Prassoulis, Owner & Chef
1450 Yonge St., 4421 HWY. 7, 586 Yonge St.

Since opening in September 2011, Holy Chuck has made a huge impact in the burger world. Holy Chuck founder, John Prassoulis, is a homegrown Toronto chef who has cooked in some of the great kitchens across the city. His experience has paid off by earning their signature burger The Holy Chuck Burger, “The Best Burger” in Toronto by Joanne Kates & Celebrity Chef Massimo Capra. They have also been rated as one of the Top 100 Restaurants in Toronto in 2014 in Post City Magazines & Top 3 Best Burgers in the World from About Time Magazine in the U.K.

“Holy Chuck is a fun & family oriented atmosphere with ample seating so that anyone of any age can enjoy a truly great dining experience at a reasonable price,” states Prassoulis. Besides the aged fresh beef, what also sets Holy Chuck apart from the rest is the variety in his menu like the deep fried Nutella lollipops, award winning milkshakes & even The Holy Duck Burger (Foie Gras on top of a single patty with double smoked bacon, truffle oil & pure Canadian maple syrup). “It’s quite simple, if you’re looking for a great burger experience that encompasses so much more than just great burgers, fries & shakes, go to Holy Chuck! Not only will you not be disappointed, but you will be wow’d!”

Pho King Fabulous!
Kevin Hoang, Owner
2411 Yonge St., 647.352.5288

Not being satisfied with the pho selection in Toronto, owner Kevin Hoang decided that he could do so much better and opened his own restaurant in May 2015. “Owning my own business has always been a dream. After 25 years of working for others, I decided it was time to do something for myself.” After months of planning and countless hours of hard work, Pho King Fabulous! was born.

Serving authentic Vietnamese dishes along with their main attraction, their delicious broth is created by slowly simmering beef and chicken bones for hours before adding a special selection of spices to bring it all together. “Our process yields an extremely rich broth that separates our soups from others”, says Hoang.

Never resting on his laurels, Hoang states his willingness to adapt to his clienteles needs, as well as his employees suggestions, has been a contributing factor to its success. “Our secret is not really a secret. We keep our customers happy by maintaining a high quality product and providing fast and friendly service. We do make mistakes from time to time, but ultimately strive to not make the same mistakes again.” Making the Top 100 Restaurants list in its first year of service is certainly a testament to this commitment.

Meet 13 of Yonge Street's Retail All-Stars

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1:44 pm

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Post City X Yonge Street

Yonge Street is the main street of our community. Its shops are some of Toronto’s finest and its business owners are some of Toronto’s most exciting entrepreneurs.

Every year Post City Magazine runs a special section dedicated to these local shop owners who are as proud of the services they provide as they are of the community in which they work and live.

Here are their stories…

New Balance Toronto
Sean McGrath, President
1510 Yonge St., 416.962.8662

At a young age Sean McGrath watched his retailer father at the kitchen table buying shoes for his business. “He was a workaholic, respected by his peers and understood the importance of great customer service,” McGrath says. McGrath spent his summers working in retail at his father’s store, learning that proper fitting was equally as important as providing a memorable experience. At University he earned a BCOMM degree with the goal of becoming a retailer. In 1998 New Balance was looking to open concept stores and he jumped at the opportunity…but was denied, too young and inexperienced.

After a promotion within his job at Intrawest he reapplied and opened his first store at Yonge and St.Clair in 2000. New Balance is privately owned by the Davis Family, and like McGrath’s father, they too are customer focused; its about the fit, shoes from 2a-6e, sizes 4-20 and kids widths too. With all those sizes comes serious managing of inventory which initially was daunting.

Luckily with years of experience and a consistent team they have been fortunate to expand to neighborhoods around the city, Oakville, D.C. and soon Ottawa. “I want to thank them for their continued support, passion and candor,” McGrath says.

Paola Di
Paola D. Powell, Owner
3357 Yonge St., 416.322.0430

After graduating from fashion design school, Paola opened Paola Di in 1985, with her mother, Elsa. In a small space in Woodbridge, they began selling their own designs, as well as couture wedding and evening dresses. By 1989 the business grew and moved to the Yonge St. location. There they began selling ready to wear from Europe, as well as Canadian and US designers.

Over 20 years later, they are still here, because their keen sense of style, appeals to a large array of clients. Hand picking interesting pieces, from a vast selection of lines, keeps the store unique, and filled with many hidden treasures. Paola Di carries everything from jeans and tee-shirts, to long evening gowns. Accessories and shoes also play a very important role in finishing the outfit of a Paola Di customer.

They attribute their success to the personal customer service they give to each of their clients, putting together outfits that are appropriate and on the cutting edge of fashion. Canada’s Fashion Guru, Jeanne Becker has included Paola Di in her list of favorite fashion boutiques and Rita Zekas of the Toronto Star wrote “Intermix meets tres chic boutique in the south of France.”

Gidon Aesthetics & Medispa
Dr. Martie Gidon MD FRCPC FAAD
1849 Yonge St., Suite 307, 416.483.4541

Dr. Martie Gidon is a board certified Dermatologist, specializing in non-surgical facial and body rejuvenation. She is an innovative leader in Cosmetic Dermatology and is constantly searching for new treatments and products to offer her patients. With over 20 years’ experience, she combines her extensive knowledge in medical and cosmetic dermatology to create a natural, youthful appearance for her patients.

Gidon Aesthetics and MediSpa uses an extensive array of state-of-the-art technologies to achieve the best possible results in a caring environment. Lasers such as Fraxel, Clear + Brilliant and CO2 are used in combination with Thermage, IPL, Botox, fillers, Sculptra, or Selphyl PRP. An exciting new treatment is radio frequency microneedling to improve skin texture, laxity, acne scarring and stretch marks.

UltraShape is a popular body contour treatment. Medical grade cosmeceuticals are recommended to complete the comprehensive package. Dr. Gidon and her aesthetic team will create an individualized treatment plan to achieve a natural, refreshed look. The result is healthy, beautiful skin.

Potato Skins Slipcovers
Lisa Buckland, Owner
2073 Yonge St., 416.484.6299

Creating slipcovers since 1994, Potato Skins specializes in made-to-order covers for any style and size of furniture. Owner Lisa Buckland recognized a need for quality designed covers to be made using a well-curated selection of fabrics. Everyone has to sit on something – sofas and chairs are definitely the focal point of any comfortable room. The adaptability of slipcovers offer a completely different look while still being easy to take off and wash. Whether your furniture has sentimental value; is tired and has seen better days; or is new and loved and deserves protecting – slipcovers have a place in any setting.

Our success has a lot to do with the great neighbourhood we are located in, and the many loyal clients that continue to come back to us to have more pieces covered. Customers appreciate the low impact on the environment by re-using existing furniture. A wide selection of outdoor fabrics is available to update decks, cottages, boat cushions and wicker furniture. Our friendly, knowledgeable staff will help transform your dining chairs, ottomans, wing chairs, sectionals, throw pillows, bench seats, headboards – the possibilities are endless.

Narnia
Sharon Crawford & daughter Lois, Owners
3236 Yonge St., 416.487 7287

Narnia Boutique is located on the west side of Yonge Street just north of Lawrence. The co-owners of this amazing little women’s boutique are a fantastic mother-daughter duo. Sharon Crawford and daughter Lois MacKenzie, say that the secret to their many years of retail success is caring about every single customer that walks into their store – her attitudes, personality, lifestyle and fashion. Sharon is passionate about both fashion and her clientele and states “It’s not only about what fits her or what the trends are. We follow the trends so that we can help each customer interpret them in her own way.”

From jeans to that little black dress (and everything in between!), Narnia offers an amazing mix of moderate to higher-end fashion, including trend lines like Fidelity, Sanctuary, and Velvet. 50% of their collection is made in Canada. As for the rest, you will find great lines from Europe and the United States. Narnia is your ‘go to’ boutique for great style! “We think buying fashion should be a fun, feel good experience!”

MacPherson Toy House
Angie Lewis and daughter London, Owner
1128 Yonge St. (entrance on MacPherson), 416.546.0895

Her name is Angie and that sweet girl on her lap is her daughter, London. Like so many mothers had discovered before her, the arrival of her first born was life changing. London is the inspiration behind MTH, as well as being its number one customer and product tester.

“Shopping for London when she was first born was a real eye opener. Either I found gorgeous clothes that were made with the worst materials, or I found very safe products that were not so pleasing to the eye and London deserved better.” Angie wanted to be able to dress her own daughter & provide her with products that are natural and great quality. And so she embarked on the adventure of opening her own store that could deliver all the things she felt so passionately about: beautiful design, natural products, safe and gentle-to-the-touch clothes and toys — all ethically produced.

“I found a lot of beautiful lines in Canada, but as a traveler, I couldn’t resist in also bringing in the best from Scandinavia, Australia, South America, pretty much the whole world!”. Not stocking anything she wouldn’t have in her own home, it’s quite obvious how personal this store is to her. “I want to create a beautiful experience for customers, every time they visit."

The Coop
Mike & John Corallo, Owners
3435 Yonge St., 416.544.9944

Brothers John and Mike Corallo bought The Coop, a staple of the Men's clothing industry for over 30 years in north Toronto. Then they moved it. When they decided to move The Coop from its original location to its current home at 3435 Yonge St., it felt like starting over. They got to design and build the new store exactly as they wanted it, to create a local neighbourhood shop that also feels like a destination.

There is no doubt The Coop is an independent shop with a wide product selection but John and Mike want their customers to enjoy every part of The Coop shopping experience. They strive to provide exceptional customer service – which includes free tailoring, wardrobe consultation, drop-off & pickup, coffee and lunch bar. They’ll even park your car for you!

John and Mike believe the secret to The Coop’s success stems from their ability to adapt to the changing times. By tailoring their services to their clients’ evolving needs over the years, the relationships they have maintained with their clientele have flourished. “Meeting new generations of clients, folks who bring in their kids to shop, has been exciting. It also connects us to our father’s barbershop, Corallo’s Hair Care. He has generations of families as clients as well!” says John.

S igna Computer Systems
Greg Stapells, Owner
3457 Yonge St., 416.488.9208

“I remember that very first day when we opened in 1993, standing there behind the counter… I was as nervous as I was excited!” When Signa Computers was just getting started, their initial struggle was trying to convince prospective customers that they would be around long enough to cover their 1 year warranty period — they managed to win them over, one customer at a time! 25 years later, they're still here and going strong.

“We have a loyal customer-base, and have continued to improve by adding rush service, in-home/in-office visits, remote assistance directly over the Internet, and now even provide help on evenings and weekends!” Back in 1993, Greg never imagined he’d come so far, or have so much fun dealing with the day-to-day challenges of running a small business and keeping up with the ever-changing technology that Signa Computers services and sells. “Doing what we love seems to come naturally, and we must be doing something right as our customers still seem to love us right back.”

CLEMENTINE'S
Christina & Kelly McDowell, Owners
1260 Yonge St., 416.966.2662

CLEMENTINE’S, the go-to luxury fashion & lifestyle destination, located in the heart of Summerhill/ Rosedale, continues to expand its Concept shop. This atelier-style shop houses beautiful new lines from contemporary brands, including Iro, 3 x 1 Denim, PAIGE, J Brand, and Vince, etc. They also produce their own private label, CLEMENTINE’S x MEROTTO, a capsule collection of chic, modern fashion — all made in Canada.

In their Home/Lifestyle section, you will find that perfect gift, or must-have item- candles from Paris, artisanal wooden bowls from Boston, baby alpaca throws from Peru, and organic creams from Sweden — a refined collection of luxe home décor. CLEMENTINE’S continues to offer a very edited & expertly curated collection of luxury resale. This includes contemporary, New & Like-New designer fashion, handbags and accessories. This shop/ gallery also exhibits & sells contemporary art with rotating installations profiling local & international artists.

CLEMENTINE’S owner, Christina McDowell, and daughter Kelly, credit having a loyal community of costumers to their personalized relationship-based service, and their beautiful selection of products. Customers leave knowing they’ve made the perfect purchase for them.

Richard Librach Architect Inc.
Richard Librach, Owner
3414 Yonge St., 416.482.9224

Richard Librach Architect Inc. has been creating unique architectural solutions since 2000 to home and business owners across the GTA and beyond. RLAI prides itself on its close relationship to clients throughout the design and construction process. Inspiring clients to use a relevant personal starting point quickly leads to interactive three-dimensional simulations so that clients can immediately visualize their project. The firm offers representation at hearings and prepares construction documents to obtain building permits. Interior selections are offered as part of an essential service to provide design consistency.

Richard prides himself on offering a unique collaborative approach allowing his clients to be an integral part of the design process. RLAI takes a hands on approach working closely with the client throughout the many stages of the project and often finds inspiration from his clients and their diverse backgrounds and interests. Following his recent talk at Toronto's Interior Design Show, Richard’s passion for his process is now being translated to an intimate three part talk series from April to June this Spring. The first talk entitled “Designing Your Dream Home From The Inside-Out” kicks off in his Yonge Street Studio on April 4, 2018 at 7.30 pm.

Hopson Grace
Martha Grace McKimm & Andrea Hopson, Co-founders
1120 Yonge St., 416.926.1120

Founded in 2015, Hopson Grace is a lifestyle concept that focuses on the art of entertaining. Owners Andrea Hopson (formerly Tiffany & Co. VP) and Martha Grace McKimm (a retail + luxury goods PR exec) gave up corporate life to pursue their dream of launching their own business. Venture inside and you'll find a curated selection of items sourced locally and from around the globe for their beauty, craftsmanship and exclusivity.

The duo believes in mixing materials, styles and prices, considering it to be the key ingredient that leads to great style. Whether it's an Italian pewter platter, agate coasters from Brazil or an Ontario walnut salad bowl, one thing's for sure – you'll be hard pressed to find it anywhere else. Since opening, Hopson Grace has received wide acclaim and has become a go-to for anyonelooking to update their home, find a unique gift or register for their wedding. Hopson and McKimm, whose goal is to inspire you as you plan your next celebration or update your home, will be expanding this year, responding to demand from loyal customers as well as couples who are looking for a one-stop-shop wedding registry experience.

Pop Physique (Toronto)
Jody Watson, Owner
1560 Yonge St., 416.975.0123

Entrepreneurs Richard & Jodi brought Pop Physique, a fitness and lifestyle brand from LA to the GTA. Together they opened up Canada’s first Pop Physique in heart of Midtown Toronto. They fell in love with Pop while in LA and knew that their favorite fitness-focused city would too! “It’s our mission to have Pop be a fun place where everyone feels comfortable to try something new. A place that can change your day, so that no matter what happened, you can come to Pop and leave feeling like life is good.” Pop Physique offers an artistic approach to exercise. They offer 1-hour Barre and Pilates inspired classes and pair them with the perfect playlist to keep you moving. “It's hardcore, fat-burning and fun! Full-body muscles get strengthened and toned, while improving posture and core strength.”

New to the Pop Physique line up is Pop Yoga. Pop Yoga, originating in Toronto, is an athletic flow focusing on core engagement and moving with your breath to great music. Richard and Jodi credit their success to their love for the brand, and their amazing community. Customers new to Pop are welcome to try their first Pop Physique and Pop Yoga classes for free!

Alexia von Beck
Alexia von Beck, Owner
1228 Yonge St., 416.975.8615

Known for her unique linen clothing that is always timeless and elegant, Alexia von Beck’s work has always been in a league of its own even when she started to make her own clothing at the age of 13 in Santiago, Chile. At the age of 14, she started modelling and soon found that people showed more interest in the clothes that she came to work in than those she was paid to model.

After coming to Canada at 20 and then starting a family, Alexia opened her first retail location, a small atelier in Kensington Market, where her linen and leather became an instant hit. After one year she moved to the Queen’s Quay Terminal where she would hone her fashion consciousness with innovative textural colour and design exploitations of linen. After 10 years at the Queen's Quay, she closed shop and went back to Chile but returned two years later and the label Alexia von Beck was born at her present location on Yonge Street where she has been for 25 years. Alexia's secret to success is that she never wavered from her aesthetic vision. Over her 35 years in business, she has built a loyal following of customers. And at present Alexia is using linen, silks, cotton, wools and microfabric thus enabling her to cater to both winter and summer fashions.

Raising Toronto

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With epic commutes, sky-high real estate and taxes up the wazoo, we asked eight Toronto families why they love raising their kids in the city.

Food industry heavyweights

The parents: Grant van Gameren, chef/owner of Bar Isabel & Sunny Stone, metal worker and chef on mat leave
Home: Detached house in Trinity Bellwoods
Kid: Wylie van Stone, nine months

What has it been like so far having a baby in the city?
Sunny: We had a midwife for the birth. The midwife was amazing, the follow-up care was unbelievable. There were a lot of babies this year at my GP. They just did a whole group together for their checkups, and then individually at the end you see a doctor.

What’s the biggest headache about city life?
Grant: Parking sucks around here. I drive everywhere, mainly because at any given moment I need to rush somewhere. We pay for two cars to park, but there’s generally no parking on our street. I’ll just park on Dundas and hope to God I wake up at 8 a.m. Sometimes I’ll wake up and be so tired and pay for parking, but I got a ticket at 8:03 a.m. I’m constantly paying for parking.

Do you eat out as much since having a kid?
Grant: Since we had the baby, we eat at home 99 per cent of the time. Sunny was a professional chef for most of her career, so she cooks amazing dinners.

Have you had many dealings with child care yet?
Sunny: We’ve had three dates in nine months. We take him to every event, every restaurant opening. Daycare is so expensive here in Ontario. Babysitters start at $15 an hour. As it is, child care would be more than my annual salary.

Are there many neighbourhood programs accessible to parents?
Sunny: The Artscape has cool programs; I’ve taken him to the drop-in.

Grant: I want to get him in the restaurants, washing dishes.

Midtown’s cultured condo-ers

The parents: Peggy Sher, full-time parent, former operations manager at Hermès, & Ori Sher, senior director, procurement and security at MedReleaf
Home: Condo at Eglinton & Avenue
Kids: Kai, 12, & Ami, four

Did you always want to raise your family in Toronto?
Peggy: We lived in Thornhill. We moved to Toronto when I was pregnant with Kai, my first child. I was extremely unhappy being pregnant and living up in Thornhill. We were always city people.

Do you find living in a condo is cramped?
Right now we’re currently looking for a house, and it’s been a challenge because we love this area so much. The kids are sharing a bedroom now. My daughter came along when I was 40, so she is sharing her bunk bed with her brother. But if I had one child, I probably would stay in a condo.

Are there many safety concerns with the kids being in the city?
My son walks to school. He goes to Starbucks. He does his own thing. Now he’s got a phone. Kids with phones are life changing. When he’s walking, we use an app where we can literally see him walking to school, and we know he’s on track. When he’s going to his friend’s house, we know he’s on his way, so it’s good.

Does your family take advantage of Toronto’s cultural offerings?
We just signed up for the Infinity Mirrors at the AGO. We take advantage of every event at the ROM or AGO — we have family memberships. We just came back from Ripley’s Museum too.

Neighbourhood-driven news anchor

The parents: Dwight Drummond, host of CBC Toronto News at 6 & Janice Drummond, model
Home: Detached house at St. Clair & Bathurst
Kids: Jolie Kara, 11 & Kayla Catherine, 15

Was raising your family in the city always in the cards?
Dwight: We thought about raising a family out in the burbs, but it didn’t really appeal to us — especially after the long drive back into the city after looking at houses out there. We were lucky enough to be able to stay in the city.

What do you love about your neighbourhood for kids?
We like that our kids can walk the neighbourhood with friends that they’ve had since kindergarten. They all started playing at Hillcrest Park in the sandbox, and now they play there on the basketball court. We go for family walks at Cedarvale in the summer and tobogganing there in the winter. There is a lot to do close by.

Do you think your kids have unique advantages living in the city?
With the population density in the city, there is more diversity, which for us is a good thing. We chose our neighbourhood over others because there were so many different kinds of folks living here. Our children are being exposed to different cultures, and their circle of friends reflects that.

T.O. nature lovers

The parents: Jurgita Dronina, principal dancer with the National Ballet of Canada, now in The Sleeping Beauty & Serguei Endinian, real estate agent with Chestnut Park
Home: Semi-detached house in Summerhill
Kid: Damian, five

Did you always plan on living in the city?
Jurgita: I did want my child to grow up having both a city and nature setting. Once we moved to Toronto, we were looking for something very central in the city as well as having a neighbourhood that offers plenty of nature.

So how easy is it to access that nature?
We live just by a city ravine and have a small house. We come from Europe, where it’s all apartment living in the city, so having a house feels like a luxury. We spend a lot of time outside and are rarely stuck at home.

Do you take much advantage of Toronto’s cultural offerings?
We love going to the Royal Ontario Museum, Ontario Science Centre or to a kids’ performance. Days off are strictly for family, and we treasure our time together.

How does your commute affect your family time?
I don’t drive, so the distance between work, home and the theatre is very important to me. Home to school is a 30-minute walk, and home to the theatre is 15 minutes. I don’t depend on traffic.

What unique advantages does your child have here?
Our son loves the city, and no matter how much we all travel, we always want to come home to Toronto. The education is fabulous, and the balance between work and life is splendid. Damian is often a guest at the National Ballet of Canada performances.

Community- loving east enders

The parents: BJ Barone & Frank Nelson, TDSB high school teachers & bloggers
Home: Semi-detached home in the upper Beaches
Kid: Milo, three

What unique advantages do city kids have?
Frank: I think for us, for a diverse gay family, I think the most diversity per square mile is here in Toronto. There are a lot of families that look like ours in our community.

How engaged are you in your community?
We’re so involved in our community. Having a smaller house, all the kids on the street play together, and we’re lucky enough to live across the street from the school. We play movies on the back of our fence. One of the perks of being a teacher is they lend us the projectors for the summer.

How is your access to health care?
Milo’s had a few health scares. We constantly talk about how lucky we are to live in a city like Toronto, which has an amazing hospital like SickKids. Milo had surgery when he was four weeks old, and they took very good care of him and us.

Do you have any safety concerns stemming from city life?
It’s a question after a shooting in a school, and it’s hard not to reflect on safety in bigger cities. We had a neighbourhood kid one night last winter write “f**k LGBT” on our car. I don’t know if it’s only being city-bound, but you feel unsafe — and you worry more about safety — when you have a child. We probably should have more of those talks, but we’ve been more worried about him running across the street and other things — those have been huge safety concerns.

What has it been like sharing your journey as a gay family on your blog?
BJ: After our birth photo went viral, we decided to start the blog, Family is About Love. We wanted more visibility for gay families out there. We have the same problems and issues as straight families in terms of disciplining and how much iPad time Milo gets.… We’re different, but we’re the same.

Forest Hill power couple

The parents: Debra Goldblatt-Sadowski, president and founder of Rock-It Promotions, & Matt Sadowski, head of production and development, partner at Original
Home: Detached house at St. Clair & Bathurst
Kids: Mila, nine, & Jax, four

How family-friendly is your neighbourhood?
Debra: We love it. We have a lot of young families all around this area. All of the kids’ pals are in this neighbourhood. My daughter takes piano lessons on the street. My son goes to Hebrew school five minutes away.

What has your experience with schooling been like?
We’ve had an interesting journey. I thought it would be an interesting time for me to talk about our daughter’s learning disability — now they call them LDs — because a lot of people don’t talk about it. We’ve empowered her so that there’s no embarrassment attached to it. Identifying it for us was a really long journey with the TDSB, but now that she’s diagnosed, they’re really supportive. We’ve had to use some private resources to help her as well. I would say our decision to keep her in the TDSB so that she is able to walk to school every day — stay with her friends, stay with her routine — has been a positive decision on her behalf. We are so proud of her for working so hard and dealing with her additional challenges. What I want to tell other parents is don’t be afraid to be loud and don’t be afraid to trust your gut.

How do meals work at your home?
Because I’m an entrepreneur and a mom, I tend to use grocery delivery services. Our school has a new program this year where they provide hot lunch for kids and they do it three days a week. It’s healthy; they love it.

Has living in the city taught your kids anything special?
I think it’s taught them a different sense of empathy and a little bit more about what real life is like. There’s not a filter. They’re seeing it every day.

TV parents in North T.O.

The parents: Catherine Reitman, creator, executive producer, writer and star of CBC’s Workin’ Moms & Philip Sternberg, producer and actor on the show
Home: Detached home at Lawrence and Yonge
Kids: Liam, one and a half, & Jackson, four

After living in L.A., what’s Toronto been like?
Philip: There is an ease here. We work stupid hours, but people do respect the holidays and the three-day weekends. People definitely embrace family time more. There’s a little more humanity. It’s a beautiful quality when you’re trying to raise good people.

What do you like about your ’hood?
Catherine: We love the people in the area. We moved from L.A. two years ago. It’s got a really nice family feel here that we find grounding.

Philip: It’s not necessarily as hip as downtown but it’s got a lot of character. There’s a lot of great families in the neighbourhood who are like-minded and hard-working and smart.

Thoughts on local health care?
Catherine: Coming from America, we’re astounded at how amazing the Canadian health-care system is and, in particular, our pediatrician has been. I just adore her. She’s a working mother herself, and I’ve been floored with her generosity with my boys, who seem to catch everything under the sun.

What’s a constant city parent struggle?
Philip: Crosstown traffic. If there’s a snowstorm or something, it takes me about an hour to get home, and then I miss dinner with the kids. You’re negotiating with people to come pick up your kids or meet them at the house.… It’s a humiliating constant challenge that working parents have to face.

Has school in Toronto been a positive experience?
Catherine: We love the school we’re at, and he loves it too. We can’t wait to get his brother in. His brother is with a nanny, and he comes to set a lot — in fact he threw up on set all over Mommy when she was in full wardrobe and about to shoot a scene. Now every time he comes to set, the crew goes, “Uh-oh.”

Curator of culture in Koreatown

The parent: Mia Nielsen, director of arts and culture at the Drake
Home: Two floors of a rented house in Koreatown
Kid: Ian Le Quelenec, 13

What is the best part about your nabe?
Mia: It’s a really creative neighbourhood. There are lots of little parties and festivals in the summer that are very unique to the area. I walk a lot, and my son skateboards, so we’ll walk down to Kensington Market. We’ll go to the AGO. We’ll go to concerts. That’s what I love about the city.

What has your experience been like with schooling in Toronto?
Ian goes to an amazing school: Horizon Alternative. I was looking for a program that was academically advanced and challenging but something with a little bit of a different approach than the gifted stream. It’s a lot of work, but I think it’s a good fit. There’s also a lot of room for creativity. It’s a really neat program.

What has your journey been like as a single parent?
I think there are lots of pros and cons to being a single parent. I feel like Ian and I have a really special bond because it is just the two of us. He often comes with me to openings and receptions and performances. I feel like, with it just being him and I, there isn’t as much distinction between “adult time” and “kid time.” Sometimes I’ll have friends over for dinner, and he’s usually there at the table with three other adults, discussing politics or whatever. One thing I’m really fortunate to experience is that, because I work in culture, I’m always really curious about it — whether it’s new music or street art — and I think that aspect of my job has allowed me to connect with him in different ways as he gets older.

Do you feel that city kids grow up with certain advantages?
City kids learn to be independent because of the public transit system. My son told me a story where he was on the subway with a friend engrossed in conversation and they missed the stop where they had to transfer. When you’re 11 or 12 years old, you have to think on your feet and be confident that you can solve this.

Nature-loving 905ers

The parents: Nikki Andal, photographer and blogger who works in IT, & Lenard Andal, software developer
Home: Detached home in Richmond Hill
Kids: Mason, four, & Carter, two

Did you always plan on raising your kids in Richmond Hill?
Nikki: We didn’t want to be downtown Toronto. Raising two kids, we wanted to be outside with parks and have just a little bit of a slower life. It’s like cottage life, but we’re five minutes from the 404 to go downtown.

Do you find there are any challenges that come with living north of the city?
If you’re trying to go to a concert or a Blue Jays game, you might have that extra half hour drive. And sometimes we miss that downtown food. We’re OK with those two.

Where do your weekends take you as a family?
We love the outdoors and we have a lot of adventures. Every weekend now, we’re out on the boat in the lake in the summers, or we’re hiking through the trails. I find we’re a little more physical now. The kids are inside less and spend less time on their electronics. They’re more apt to be outside with the kids in the area playing.

Do you find that there’s a great sense of community in your neighbourhood?
When we moved in, all the neighbours came out and started telling us where to go and where to eat. There are so many kids around us. It’s just an amazing environment that we love raising our kids in. There are days when we don’t even lock our door. It’s just a different mindset. We can just go walking at night and not worry about the kids playing. We always have our eyes on them, but it’s a different kind of safety. It’s a great feeling.

Bayview brood

The parents: Ann Kaplan Mulholland, Real Housewife of Toronto and CEO of iFinance Canada, & Dr. Stephen Mulholland, plastic surgeon
Home: Detached house on The Bridle Path
Kids: Luke, 28; Gabie, 26; Barrett, 26; Keaton, 25; Destiny, 20; Rock, 18; Molly,15; & Chase,14

Do you think city kids have unique advantages over those raised elsewhere?
Ann: I know kids who have grown up in more remote areas, but it doesn’t seem to be the area as much as the parenting. I’ve always wanted to raise my children where they had access to different activities. We utilize the Duke of Edinburgh program, so they can measure their community involvement in arts and athleticism.

How much independence do your younger kids have?
My younger ones would call me a helicopter parent, but I do need to know where they are. I think independence has to be earned and proven. There’s a lot of temptations and choices and being keenly aware and working with your kids on having parameters and limitations is important. I do have a group of parents that are like-minded, and we talk on a regular basis. When we do have concerns, we meet up and get coffee. That is something that I am proactive about.

Do you have many safety concerns, especially with your daughters?
There’s a lot of safety talk in our home. I find it frightening that my 20-year-old daughter has men come up to her, making gestures. Look at what’s come out with #MeToo. I couldn’t help but look at my daughter and think, “Have I done enough to teach her to speak out? Or to be able to assess a situation and say, ‘This is wrong’?” If I don’t talk to them and give them the tools, how can they learn?

Humewood homeowners

The parents: Marnie Adler, freelance TV producer & director and Pilates instructor, & Stephen Adler, executive director for the Canadian Friends of Tel Aviv University
Home: Detached house in Humewood with detached Pilates studio in back
Kids: Samantha, 11, & Mia, 9

How has it been raising a family in the city?
Marnie: We lived in Thornhill for 10 years, and we only recently moved to Toronto. It was unaffordable for us to live in the city, so we made a 10-year plan to move into the city. The Humewood neighbourhood is unbelievable. We spent a lot of time thinking where the best place for adults and children and school and social would be, and I think we nailed it.

How has the move affected your commute times?
When asking my daughter Mia, the major difference that’s a big deal for her is that she gets to see her parents more often. Stephen now has a 10-minute commute. The accessibility has been life-changing. It was 10 years of commuting. I can remember the day when I got into my car technically “early” at six o’clock, and it took me two hours to get home.

Do you have major safety concerns now that you’re in the city?
I worry about it 10 times more than when we lived in Thornhill. We read about break-ins in the neighbourhood. Friends of ours have had their cars broken into multiple times. Did I ever think about locking my door in Thornhill? Here I’m locking my door and putting my shades down. We will need to get our older daughter a phone way earlier than I would have considered it. For safety, I think it’s a priority.

How has the schooling transition been?
In Thornhill, we put them into French immersion, and they started getting bussed to their school. When they got home, there was no one to play with. Now they can they can walk to school, have play dates after school.…

Downtown transplants

The parents: Jessica Kalsi, full time parent, & Tony Kalsi, chiropractor
Home: Detached house at Yonge & Sheppard
Kids: Nyla, two, & Nolan, 13 months

Had you always planned on raising children uptown?
Jessica: We were downtown initially, and after I had my daughter we moved. I prefer living uptown over living downtown as a family. When we were downtown, we were in a condo, so we didn’t have the kind of space that we do now. Just having neighbours is the best part about being up here. Now I’m part of mom groups in the neighbourhood. I’ve now started my own circle time in my house and have a guy who comes over and plays the guitar and sings. I do like parenting up here because everything is so accessible.

Do you think city kids have unique advantages?
Living in the city, the kids have more options and accessibility to some of Ontario’s main attractions. But even with the zoo, for example, we’re not too far from it. We have annual passes, and we always say, if we lived anywhere else, coming to the zoo wouldn’t happen as frequently as it does. Being able to explore more might get their creativity flowing and expand their minds.

What are your plans when it comes to putting your kids in school?
My daughter is in Montessori right now. She loves it. They had several options, so we just started with the three days, and you could tell that she wasn’t very comfortable, so we did switch her to the five days, and it made a huge difference. Every morning she looks forward to going to school. We have also been looking into private schools, and we found one that’s not too far. It wasn’t like we did research on the schools in the area and didn’t like the ratings — it is just something my husband wants. We checked out a couple, and some of their methods are really good. At the Montessori school, the kids get the same teacher three years in a row, which is really interesting because the teacher can really get to know the students and work with their strengths and weaknesses.