Dan Seljak
@anotherglassbox.bsky.social
Building hater/appreciator out of Toronto. He/they. Hates your neighbourhood’s character, yes, specifically yours.
so @joshmatlow.bsky.social has posted a motion that allows councillors to adopt neighbourhood retail in their own wards, effectively allowing the removed attachment to be adopted on a ward-by-ward basis. it's not perfect but it's something!!!
November 10, 2025 at 7:28 PM
so @joshmatlow.bsky.social has posted a motion that allows councillors to adopt neighbourhood retail in their own wards, effectively allowing the removed attachment to be adopted on a ward-by-ward basis. it's not perfect but it's something!!!
I got some brutal family health news last night so I've spent the day so far in the ravines with Penny (she says hi, btw) to parse. I'm going to try and spend less time online this weekend, but wanted to post some action items re: the upcoming council meeting on Nov. 12.
November 7, 2025 at 7:11 PM
I got some brutal family health news last night so I've spent the day so far in the ravines with Penny (she says hi, btw) to parse. I'm going to try and spend less time online this weekend, but wanted to post some action items re: the upcoming council meeting on Nov. 12.
Came across another indie coffeeshop coping with unusual circumstances last night...remember how the new age crystal store was a holdout at Mirvish Village? Well, a multi-vendor market has opened in its place, including the physical location for Spirited Tarts.
November 7, 2025 at 7:10 PM
Came across another indie coffeeshop coping with unusual circumstances last night...remember how the new age crystal store was a holdout at Mirvish Village? Well, a multi-vendor market has opened in its place, including the physical location for Spirited Tarts.
Reposted by Dan Seljak
I've seen dozens of videos of Zohran Mamdani being asked for his favourite bodega food.
In Toronto, that question would be "what do you buy at the Metro to eat at your desk?"
In Toronto, that question would be "what do you buy at the Metro to eat at your desk?"
November 5, 2025 at 2:58 PM
I've seen dozens of videos of Zohran Mamdani being asked for his favourite bodega food.
In Toronto, that question would be "what do you buy at the Metro to eat at your desk?"
In Toronto, that question would be "what do you buy at the Metro to eat at your desk?"
Reposted by Dan Seljak
Dan says it right: this is a city, and we need leaders who will say so.
I wrote an op-ed on what I think about the fight for local neighbourhood retail (and the grousing about Badiali's) means for the urban vision of Toronto. Gift link here: www.thestar.com/opinion/cont...
When even the humble corner store is impossible to open in Toronto, it’s a sign of something deeply wrong
We need to accept that Toronto is now a big city.
www.thestar.com
November 5, 2025 at 4:29 PM
Dan says it right: this is a city, and we need leaders who will say so.
Reposted by Dan Seljak
Prior to 1959, retail units (like one that now contains a popular pizzeria) were allowed without major issue. Then we made rules to block them, and then some people spent a lot of time talking about "old Toronto" as if it was the natural way of things. Which old Toronto? When? Something to consider.
I wrote an op-ed on what I think about the fight for local neighbourhood retail (and the grousing about Badiali's) means for the urban vision of Toronto. Gift link here: www.thestar.com/opinion/cont...
When even the humble corner store is impossible to open in Toronto, it’s a sign of something deeply wrong
We need to accept that Toronto is now a big city.
www.thestar.com
November 5, 2025 at 4:34 PM
Prior to 1959, retail units (like one that now contains a popular pizzeria) were allowed without major issue. Then we made rules to block them, and then some people spent a lot of time talking about "old Toronto" as if it was the natural way of things. Which old Toronto? When? Something to consider.
I wrote an op-ed on what I think about the fight for local neighbourhood retail (and the grousing about Badiali's) means for the urban vision of Toronto. Gift link here: www.thestar.com/opinion/cont...
When even the humble corner store is impossible to open in Toronto, it’s a sign of something deeply wrong
We need to accept that Toronto is now a big city.
www.thestar.com
November 5, 2025 at 3:00 PM
I wrote an op-ed on what I think about the fight for local neighbourhood retail (and the grousing about Badiali's) means for the urban vision of Toronto. Gift link here: www.thestar.com/opinion/cont...
Reposted by Dan Seljak
"Neighbourhood interiors were never intended for commercial activity", says one letter writer. To be fair, this is true, if you toss the entirety of human history and modern day Earth outside North America in the trash, and think that urban planning less than a century old is ironclad natural law.
No corner coffee shops: Toronto committee waters down neighbourhood retail plan
It’s the second time in less than a year councillors balked at allowing certain businesses to open on some residential streets
www.torontotoday.ca
October 31, 2025 at 1:29 PM
"Neighbourhood interiors were never intended for commercial activity", says one letter writer. To be fair, this is true, if you toss the entirety of human history and modern day Earth outside North America in the trash, and think that urban planning less than a century old is ironclad natural law.
Two blocks from each other on the same street (Palmerston). Remember: what is at stake here is if Emily Rose goes under and is converted to residential, going back is nigh impossible—a community amenity lost for good.
November 2, 2025 at 1:06 PM
Two blocks from each other on the same street (Palmerston). Remember: what is at stake here is if Emily Rose goes under and is converted to residential, going back is nigh impossible—a community amenity lost for good.
Please enjoy my five minute plea for neighbourhood retail. Also if you do a virtual deputation, Webex doesn’t give vid preview??? So get your angles right first. youtu.be/Eztf53wAhXo?...
Oct 30 - Deputation on Toronto Neighbourhood Retail
YouTube video by Dan Seljak (Another Glass Box)
youtu.be
October 31, 2025 at 3:38 PM
Please enjoy my five minute plea for neighbourhood retail. Also if you do a virtual deputation, Webex doesn’t give vid preview??? So get your angles right first. youtu.be/Eztf53wAhXo?...
Reposted by Dan Seljak
What level of extremely online is it that I knew what this was gonna be before I even clicked play
October 31, 2025 at 4:06 AM
What level of extremely online is it that I knew what this was gonna be before I even clicked play
Well we may have lost today but we did have to listen a lot of people speculate that one day they might be confronted by the reality of living in proximity to millions of people, so in many ways we also suffered.
I’m sick of sharing this link so help me bury the NIMBY opposition to cute neighbourhood shops! They just put a petition with a measly 209 signatures into the record to kill—not modify, kill—this small step towards maybe having corner stores again
Let’s tell them what we want: c.org/fYSGWfvYJv
Let’s tell them what we want: c.org/fYSGWfvYJv
Sign the Petition
Save Finch Store/Martin Cafe and Protect TO Neighbourhood Retail
c.org
October 30, 2025 at 10:06 PM
Well we may have lost today but we did have to listen a lot of people speculate that one day they might be confronted by the reality of living in proximity to millions of people, so in many ways we also suffered.
The actual dynamic I’ve observed here is the ignorant scaring the ignorant into action. Neighbourhood retail=pot shops is one I hear a lot. Well, you can’t have pot shops 200m from schools. And the bubble has burst. And (legal ones) have low margins so need traffic/visibility of big streets.
Why would anyone object to this store or to others like it? I miss the four that have "gone under" in my neighbourhood -- places where people in the 'hood could get to know each other and brag about their kids!
October 29, 2025 at 11:37 PM
The actual dynamic I’ve observed here is the ignorant scaring the ignorant into action. Neighbourhood retail=pot shops is one I hear a lot. Well, you can’t have pot shops 200m from schools. And the bubble has burst. And (legal ones) have low margins so need traffic/visibility of big streets.
Nearing 2800. I’m hoping to wake up to 3k. Tell all your friends that signing this will help the blue jays or something. I dunno.
I submitted this letter into the public record ealier today telling the committee we had over 2600 signatures on our petition. When I do my deputation tomorrow, I will gleefully be telling them we have over (at least ) 2700.
October 29, 2025 at 11:34 PM
Nearing 2800. I’m hoping to wake up to 3k. Tell all your friends that signing this will help the blue jays or something. I dunno.
I submitted this letter into the public record ealier today telling the committee we had over 2600 signatures on our petition. When I do my deputation tomorrow, I will gleefully be telling them we have over (at least ) 2700.
October 29, 2025 at 8:22 PM
I submitted this letter into the public record ealier today telling the committee we had over 2600 signatures on our petition. When I do my deputation tomorrow, I will gleefully be telling them we have over (at least ) 2700.
I don't think everyone needs to take up street photography or even choose the mundane subjects I focus on...But I do think it's nice to meditate on simple beauty during your morning commute.
October 29, 2025 at 1:40 PM
I don't think everyone needs to take up street photography or even choose the mundane subjects I focus on...But I do think it's nice to meditate on simple beauty during your morning commute.
Reposted by Dan Seljak
In the City survey, 72% supported small businesses in Neighbourhoods, with 50% wanting more permissions than are proposed. But many RAs are writing in opposition, despite the proposal being watered down after they asked for more consultation last year.
October 28, 2025 at 8:09 PM
In the City survey, 72% supported small businesses in Neighbourhoods, with 50% wanting more permissions than are proposed. But many RAs are writing in opposition, despite the proposal being watered down after they asked for more consultation last year.
I’m sick of sharing this link so help me bury the NIMBY opposition to cute neighbourhood shops! They just put a petition with a measly 209 signatures into the record to kill—not modify, kill—this small step towards maybe having corner stores again
Let’s tell them what we want: c.org/fYSGWfvYJv
Let’s tell them what we want: c.org/fYSGWfvYJv
Sign the Petition
Save Finch Store/Martin Cafe and Protect TO Neighbourhood Retail
c.org
October 28, 2025 at 4:55 PM
I’m sick of sharing this link so help me bury the NIMBY opposition to cute neighbourhood shops! They just put a petition with a measly 209 signatures into the record to kill—not modify, kill—this small step towards maybe having corner stores again
Let’s tell them what we want: c.org/fYSGWfvYJv
Let’s tell them what we want: c.org/fYSGWfvYJv
How many petitions and walks does it takes to pass a piece of policy that cranks are mad about but that the general public is overwhelmingly in favour of? Because whatever I did is not enough—still think this has dicey chances.
October 27, 2025 at 10:10 PM
How many petitions and walks does it takes to pass a piece of policy that cranks are mad about but that the general public is overwhelmingly in favour of? Because whatever I did is not enough—still think this has dicey chances.
I’m like if Snow White gave urban walking tours
October 26, 2025 at 9:17 PM
I’m like if Snow White gave urban walking tours
Three neighbourhood tours in two days. After hours of having to be “on” in overstimulating environments, can’t wait for the quiet peace of my apartment.
The quiet peace of my apartment:
The quiet peace of my apartment:
October 26, 2025 at 9:08 PM
Three neighbourhood tours in two days. After hours of having to be “on” in overstimulating environments, can’t wait for the quiet peace of my apartment.
The quiet peace of my apartment:
The quiet peace of my apartment:
The Slovenian urge to yap in front of a garbage bin
October 26, 2025 at 12:47 AM
The Slovenian urge to yap in front of a garbage bin
Extremely kind words from Josh. Appreciate him coming on the walk today and his continued and consistent support for expanding options for neighbourhood retail! Also he’s very nice lol
I enjoyed joining Dan Seljak on his walk today to learn more about the benefits of neighborhood retail and how local cafes and corner stores contribute to the vibrancy of cities and quality of life of residents. Dan is truly a civic treasure.
October 25, 2025 at 7:18 PM
Extremely kind words from Josh. Appreciate him coming on the walk today and his continued and consistent support for expanding options for neighbourhood retail! Also he’s very nice lol
I have added a handful of spots to all the time slots for the neighbourhood retail tours I’ll be leading this weekend! Not that you need another excuse to learn about zoning reform but the kind people at Office are offering a discount for attendees!
www.eventbrite.ca/e/neighbourh...
www.eventbrite.ca/e/neighbourh...
Neighbourhood Retail & Residential Tour
Join us for a lively discussion on the future of local businesses and residential living in Toronto's neighbourhoods.
www.eventbrite.ca
October 24, 2025 at 9:29 PM
I have added a handful of spots to all the time slots for the neighbourhood retail tours I’ll be leading this weekend! Not that you need another excuse to learn about zoning reform but the kind people at Office are offering a discount for attendees!
www.eventbrite.ca/e/neighbourh...
www.eventbrite.ca/e/neighbourh...
Tried the new Italian restaurant Miss Vickie’s…I’d give them each a 7. Good, but I won’t be thinking about any of them in a year.
October 11, 2025 at 1:26 PM
Tried the new Italian restaurant Miss Vickie’s…I’d give them each a 7. Good, but I won’t be thinking about any of them in a year.