Counterpoint: if I don’t get minute to minute updates about neighbourhood retail I will die.

If nothing else it will force councillors to say why they are against this, and why they’re against it in other wards no less, on the record right before an election. Which I think is good.

Even if this fails, we will have a direct record of the debate and vote. We have seen such strong support for this initiative—transparency about who is already onside vs those unconvinced will be key to next steps.

Directly on Bathurst

Anyhow, that's it. I'm sure some of my smart and engaged mutuals might contribute other resources in the replies. Just going to close by saying something unifying in these trying and partisan times: cancer can eat a steaming shit.

Have a good weekend!

And there's another coffeeshop, not on a corner but in a really unfortunate construction-related set of circumstances at what was Honest Ed's that could use some eyeballs and dollars: bsky.app/profile/anot...

I have a clear stance on corner stores and am representing the petition signatories...But I also want a greater diversity of participants in council generally, even from people I don't agree with. A polite email to your rep is all you need. Find them here: www.toronto.ca/city-governm...

Council meets on Nov 12. I'll probably be back online to post about this, but just in case...

🏠Neighbourhood retail item: secure.toronto.ca/council/agen...
🗓️Nov 12 Agenda: secure.toronto.ca/council/#/co...
📺Council's Youtube: www.youtube.com/@TorontoCity...

I chatted with the folks at Finch Store. They wanted to express gratitude for the ongoing support and new signatories of the petition re: their situation and neighbourhood retail.

🖊️You can sign here: c.org/mz6MxVrX2L

Anyhow, between the tarts (which I already loved from various markets), the coffee, and the company, I'm completely sold. It's just whether they can weather the final stage of construction before Mirvish becomes a destination rather than a construction site people avoid.

Despite the circumstances, Joanne and Ryan have made the space feel warm, cosy, and inviting. My favourite part is just how close the traffic is to the front seats; it feels like the odd sort of carved out space you'd find in Tokyo vs. the usual polish here.

They are in the front vestibule that also serves as a lobby for the residential units above, so every night EVERYTHING goes into storage. The ongoing (delayed) construction also means that they are running odd hours to avoid it.

🌃Night: Tue-Fri 4pm-10pm
🌆Day: Sun 10am-5pm

I do not want to be mayor 😫

Residential zoning in Toronto only allows specific housing within “stable neighbourhoods”. The city basically promised certain areas they could be preserved in amber, even if preservation ignored the existence of rooming houses, retail etc…we created suburbs out of old houses, basically

The ones on residential streets are grandfathered in. But if the landlord converts them back to residential, there’s no way back. So the number is slowly dropping even as the city grows.

There’s a dog park LITERALLY BEHIND THEM. Bickford drives me specifically crazy.

Emily Rose’s space, fortunately, is in good hands. Ownership just transferred to another local vendor.