Remembering Mary Macleod

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(Copy of the Notice of Passing of Mary Macleod, part of the online memorial with Mount Pleasant Cemetery, Cremation & Funeral Centres.)

Mary Macleod, 82, passed away peacefully at her residence in Toronto on September 27,2016. Loving Mumsy to Colin (predeceased), Gary and his wife Sharon, doting Granny to Jasmine and Sarina, and Aunt Mary to Neva, Jason and Dylan.

Born in Coatbridge Scotland January 15, 1934, Mary immigrated to Canada with her husband William (divorced 1978) and settled in the Yonge and Eglinton area of Toronto where she raised her two sons, Gary born 1958 and Colin 1961 to 1999.

Trained as a home economist and baker, she founded Mary Macleod’s Shortbread in 1981, the first shortbread only bakery in Canada. Mary moved her bakery to the Riverside area at 639 Queen Street East, it’s current location. Mary “officially” retired in 2010 but continued to bake and meet customers at her leisure. She passed the reigns to daughter in law Sharon. The bakery continues to thrive and expand, ensuring her legacy lives on.

Retirement allowed Mary time to devote to her many interests including cooking for family and staff, horticulture, travel, reading, and spending time with her babbies (granddaughters). She supported many charities and community events and had a special affection for her Urban Angel, St. Michael’s Hospital and all their wonderful staff.

In the course of her years, Mary touched many lives with her kindness and thoughtfulness and her true love of her fellow man. She will be dearly missed.

Visitation in the Mount Pleasant Funeral Centre- 375 Mount Pleasant Road, Toronto, ON. onMonday, October 3rd from 2-4 pm and 7-9 pm. Funeral in St. Paul’s Basilica Parish- 83 Power Street on Tuesday, October 4th at 11am. Burial to Follow. Reception at the Mount Pleasant Funeral Centre after the burial.

In lieu of flowers, please send donations in Mary’s honour to St. Michael’s Hospital Foundation.

You are invited to share in the creation of the memorial site by adding a condolence and any remembrances, photos, and video clips appropriate to the life of Mary Macleod. Simply click on the following link and start sharing your valued memories.

View the Memorial
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Please feel free to forward this notice to family and friends, for their information and contribution.

Unveiling The Broadview Hotel OCT 5th

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – Sept. 28, 2016
The Broadview Hotel: Riverside’s Revived Cultural and Culinary Destination
Opening 2017, Streetcar Developments and Dream unveil a Riverside revival true to its past

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TORONTO, ON — A fusion of past, present and future, Streetcar Developments in partnership with Dream Unlimited Corp. (Dream) today announced the much-anticipated launch of The Broadview Hotel. Set to open in 2017, the 125-year-old local landmark will be reborn, replacing the brass poles and catwalks of its colourful past. Located on the northwest corner of Queen Street East and Broadview Avenue, the revitalized space will boast 58 guest rooms, just under 4,000 square feet of event space, a ground floor restaurant, dynamic lobby café/bar and a stunning rooftop patio, offering unimpeded views of Toronto’s cityscape and beyond.

“Our goal is to re-invigorate the architecture and culture of The Broadview Hotel, while respecting its history and original design,” said Les Mallins, President of Streetcar Developments“By restoring the building, we hope to create a gathering place Riverside residents can be proud of, and a destination that all visitors to Toronto can enjoy.”

“We’ve had the privilege of working on many historically significant projects in Toronto, and we are thrilled to be a part of The Broadview Hotel’s revival,” said Michael Cooper, Chief Responsible Officer of Dream. “The Broadview Hotel will be a meeting point of some of the best things Toronto has to offer: our hospitality, our food, and our culture.”

The Broadview Hotel Gets Lit
On Wednesday, Oct. 5th, Streetcar and Dream invite the community and media to the unveiling of The Broadview Hotel’s façade and a historical plaque, presented by Brent Pearlman of Heritage Toronto. At 7:00 PM, watch as the newly revitalized façade is illuminated, marking the first milestone in the building’s transformation and welcoming a new generation to the city’s iconic east end landmark.

Announcing The Broadview Hotel
The bold, unmistakable Romanesque Revival façade, dating back to 1891, will act as the first reminder of the city’s past, with its distinctive arched windows, monumental tower and ornate decorative relief panels. ERA Architects, whose expertise lies in heritage projects, has been tasked with preserving the architectural pedigree of the building.

With history at The Broadview Hotel’s core, visionaries at award-winning DesignAgencybring to life a destination venue infused with timeless charm and local east end flavour. From within, the lobby winds back the clock to greet guests with the warmth and welcoming hospitality of Old Toronto, while the cozy and inviting reception desk will set the tone for the suites above. Designed to function from morning until late night, the lobby transforms from coffee shop by day into a cocktail bar in the evening, while never losing its communal hub atmosphere. In contrast, the restaurant adjoining the lobby is a stylized junction of urban industrial and turn of the century texture that will add a renewed energy to the street, the neighbourhood and the community at large.

Boutique in nature, The Broadview Hotel’s 58 rooms are a bespoke ensemble of contemporary forms mixed with timeless classics and unexpected eclectic accents. Warm and inviting, guests will enjoy subtle references to the hotel’s history. A lucky few will experience vertical gardens for a true urban oasis. Though most of the room types share similar features, be on the look-out for one suite that cheekily pays tribute to The Broadview Hotel’s storied past.

A one-of-a-kind glass atrium and rooftop bar brings a fresh tone to the overall experience, where guests will enjoy panoramic views of Toronto’s skyline, the Don River and the city’s vibrant east end.

“We are proud to be a part of a movement that has taken foot over the last decade to return the neighbourhood to its original greatness” said Matt Davis, Principal of DesignAgency. “Through the transformation of the hotel, we are layering aspects of the past with new textures, resulting in a new and authentic Toronto experience for the city to revel in.”

Reflecting the old-world-meets-new-world design, The Broadview Hotel menus highlight dishes meant to excite guests’ palates, paying homage to the decadence of Old Toronto mixed with modern execution. Conceptualized by Erik Joyal and John Sinopoli, local restaurateurs who helped pioneer the culinary scene on Queen Street East, the casual refined menus will feature local produce of southern Ontario, connecting guests with the hotel’s historical origins. From the seasonal and authentically rooted menu to the warm and exacting hospitality, The Broadview Hotel references the city’s remarkable past and presents it with modern finesse and elegance.

Bringing the entire project together as General Manager is Murray Henderson, a hospitality leader with extensive experience in operating small, luxury hotels. His expertise will result in a hotel that goes beyond an enduring standard of hospitality – a well-tailored experience that captures both the roots of The Broadview Hotel and the culture of today’s community.

“The essence of the hotel is the charismatic spirit of Riverside. What guests will experience is a different perspective of the city,” said Henderson. “At the end of the day, we will welcome guests to our side.”

About The Broadview Hotel
Located in the heart of Riverside at the corner of Queen St. E. and Broadview Ave., The Broadview Hotel is a boutique hotel, restaurant, lobby café/bar and rooftop bar set to open in 2017. The Romanesque Revival-style building constructed in 1891 is a heritage property, as designated by the City of Toronto. Cleverly reimagined as a charismatic gathering spot, each space is infused with the spirit of the Riverside neighbourhood: it’s a place where international travelers relax alongside local residents. Housed behind The Broadview’s iconic façade, visitors and community members will enjoy a uniquely crafted hospitality experience.

About Streetcar Developments
Since 2002, Streetcar Developments has designed and developed a series of mixed use, community-centric projects in some of Toronto’s most beloved neighbourhoods. Along the way they have earned accolades for being a different kind of developer who invests in exciting neighbourhoods, improving the quality of entire communities. Their celebrated projects integrate seamlessly into their surroundings, respecting the historic look and feel of the area while providing a glimpse into what could be. With an unwavering commitment to build a more liveable and culturally rich Toronto, Streetcar eagerly accepts its responsibility to do its part to ensure this great city achieves its potential.

 

Read the full media release

Snap & Win with Riverside District Community Exhibit

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The Riverside BIA is welcoming home the Riverside District fine art exhibit with a special contest! Snap a pic of your favourite photograph from the collection and share it on Instagram or Twitter with #RiversideTO and the url www.mai.agency for a chance to win a limited edition FACES t-shirt (valued at $70).

Riverside District’ is a fine art photography exhibit shot by internationally renowned artist Robert Young. The collection of metal prints were originally featured in spring through summer 2016 at Riverside Winefest, Eats & Beats Streetfest, Doors Open Toronto and Harbourfront Centre.

After an eventful showing throughout the city, Robert has generously donated 12 pieces from the collection back to the Riverside. The goal is to celebrate the Riverside community of business as well as bring awareness to MAI Life-skills Learning Centre. #mailslc.

Riverside BIA has partnered with Robert in this fantastic endeavour. In early September, 2016, Robert worked with Jennifer from the Riverside BIA office and met with business owners and managers at il ponte, GUFF, The Underground, Korman & Company, and The Peasant Table, to place the art.

This new take on the ‘Riverside District’ exhibit invites residents and visitors into local spaces to get an intimate view of the unique characteristics of Riverside, not only as captured on the metal prints but as told in the stories of the businesses and the community that they represent. Some of the works can be seen from the street as you walk by and catch a glimpse of the metallic images gleaming in the light.

Each location has been carefully selected to bring out the beauty of the art and subject while finding each piece a home that fits into and accentuates its surroundings. See all the original images of the exhibit pieces on Robert’s website and read on to learn about the art pieces and the featured businesses:

About the Art and Businesses

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il ponte Italian Cucina (625 Queen St E)

When il ponte opened in Riverside in early 2015, host Giancarlo Catalano aimed to make it a “dependable local establishment that services and grows with the community”. They have done just that, after great success in serving excellent Italian food and being a strong community player and sponsor of the Riverside Gateway Bridge project, a $500K capital improvement project completed in 2015, which stylishly lights up the bridge and its art, each night.  il ponte, whose name directly translate to ‘the bridge’, has a special connection to the Riverside gateway bridge based on their location right at its easterly edge. From their opening, their back dining space has featured a full wall photo of the bridge. Now, they are featuring two dramatic ‘Riverside District’ pieces inside that same space, including the bridge art ‘Time and a Clock’ and the Don River. So drop by, enjoy palatial pleasure while getting inspired at Riverside’s il ponte!

GUFF (1 Davies Ave)

GUFF, which stands for Good Used Furniture Finds, is Riverside’s vintage furniture and home decor retailer, proudly located at Riverside’s westerly edge at Queen East and the DVP. The ‘Riverside District’ piece chosen to be featured in GUFF is the way-finding art of the bridge that was added in 2015 as part of the Riverside Gateway Bridge project. You can catch the light glinting off of this metal print in GUFF’s front window and continue walking west across the bridge to see the way-finding art in person! Thanks to GUFF manager John and all the fabulous staff for always being such a great Riverside neighbour.

The Underground Comedy & Social Club (670 Queen E)

The Underground just celebrated its 10th year of bringing laughs to Riverside. What a fitting time to commemorate this milestone with a beautiful metal print featuring Lennon’s famous whimsical phrase ‘Life is what happens to you while you’re busy making other plans’. Catch the print in The Underground’s front window, go in and meet business owner Joanne, and add some laughter into your plans by catching a show at The Underground!

Korman & Company (721 Queen E)

Mitch Korman, Chair of the Riverside BIA, is a big part of the heart of Riverside, and so the heart of the ‘Riverside District’ exhibit is at Korman & Company with three signature pieces featured in the front window display. Korman’s father Jack, who passed away in 2009, was one of the founding members of the Riverside BIA in 1980. Jack Korman owned and operated Corby’s Custom Clothiers – one of several men’s clothiers in the former working-class community – from 1953 until 1998. His son, Mitch, began chairing the BIA about 10 years ago, shortly after he moved his law business from Bay Street and into the same storefront that once housed his father’s clothing store at 721 Queen East. “My business improved dramatically because of being here,” said Korman, who in homage to his parents’ lifelong commitment to the neighbourhood decided to retain the old Corby’s sign on the building. ‘Riverside District’ pieces help cement the Korman business’ prominence in Riverside as a key community organizer and highlight its commitment to growing with the BIA.

Sugar Loaf Bakery (729 Queen E)

Since opening in the dead of winter in early 2016, this  “Non-Traditional Artisanal” bakery has been a great community player in Riverside as part of Winefest, Eats & Beats Streetfest, and now the ‘Riverside District’ exhibit! They specialize in presenting a fresh take on traditional-style baked goods, made from scratch and baked in small batches throughout the day using only products free of chemical additives and preservatives. Most importantly, everything is made with love… and butter 🙂 Go inside the shop and the first thing  you’ll see is their super duper espresso machine – then look to your left to see it captured beautifully in metal print!

The Peasant Table (782 Queen E)

One of Riverside’s newest restaurants, opened in late 2015, The Peasant Table offers modernized, home-style Italian fare with German and Eastern European influences. It’s mirrored and silver-motif dining interior with sparkling crystal chandeliers and ample natural light was an inspiration for fine art photography as well as a perfect environment for metal print art. Two ‘Riverside District’ pieces have found a home here, thanks to owners Boris and Kasia, who have a keen eye for art. Stop by for bite or one of their wine deals and see if you can spot the special piece upstairs in their private dining area and a second piece in their main dining room.

Riverside BIA Office (761 Queen E)

The anchor of the Riverside BIA is the office at 761 Queen E which provides the home for our staff, resources for many community events throughout the year and information and artifacts about this historic yet modern neighbourhood. Placed in the BIA office windows are two ‘Riverside District’ pieces that showcase the neighbourhood’s history and modern spaces – come by and see if you can recognize where their subjects live in reality!

Don’t forget, everyone is invited to find and share the ‘Riverside District’ art on social media by using the hashtags #RiversideTO and #mailslc for a chance to win a limited edition T-shirt by Robert Young!

About the MAI Life Skills Learning Centre – ‘What’s MAI is Yours’

“To make clear or evident to the eye or the understanding, the inner personality that is turned toward the unconscious of the individual, through the acquisition and application of knowledge.” MAI LSLC is an international learning centre created to teach human beings critical life-skills in two major categories: Life and Death. MAI LSLC is a multifaceted initiative currently experienced through public speaking engagements, fine art installations, and one on one consultations.

About the Riverside BIA

The Riverside Business Improvement Area (BIA), established in 1980, is one of the first BIA’s in Canada.  The BIA’s mandate is to improve, beautify and promote Riverside as a business and shopping district through marketing, public programming and streetscape improvements.  Riverside BIA is a community-oriented not-for-profit association of local business people and property owners who work in partnership with the City of Toronto to enhance the Riverside business district, located along Queen Street East from the DVP to Empire Avenue.

Riverside Pollinator Mural Launched with Community, Cake and Selfies

Riverside launched its newest mural, the Riverside Pollinator Mural, on September 10th, 2016!

The west-facing wall of Elbers Antiques at 777 Queen Street East, a long a neglected spot targeted by graffiti, has been revitalized, thanks to a City of Toronto mural grant, the amazing work of mural artist Nick Sweetman, and project management by the Riverside BIA.

The community celebrated with cake, selfies and talk, including local politicians, guests of honour the Edelstein Family, BIA members and staff, and community residents.
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About the Mural

The mural’s ‘Bees and Urban Pollinators’ theme recognizes Riverside’s hidden green spaces that maintain wildflowers and local hives, as well as the area’s growing bee-keeping culture in the east-end. Pollinators are essential for food production and the health of a city’s ecosystem.

The mural’s ‘Time and Clocks’ theme is an homage to Albert Edelstein, a long-time clockmaker and jeweller in Riverside who was integral to founding the Riverside Business Improvement Area (BIA) in the 1980s. Edelstein is also a personification of ‘The Pollinator’:  someone working hard on tiny things with thousands of moving parts, but the whole of the fruits of their work has an enormous impact. In the same vein, the ‘Gears’ in the mural represent small things working together to make big things happen – like bees in a hive, or a community in a neighbourhood. Like clockmakers, pollinators are important members of society and their toils must be given proper respect, as they play an essential role in allowing people to thrive and exist.

The ‘Time’ theme also continues in line with Riverside’s architectural and artistic history, referencing Eldon Garnet’s ‘Time & A Clock’ public art series that has been iconic in Riverside since 1996. The ‘Clock’ in the mural also mirrors the Ralph Thornton Centre’s iconic clock tower just west across the street, designed by famed Toronto architect E.J. Lennox. Meanwhile, the mural’s colours and style portray Riverside’s ebbs and flows through time and its vibrancy today.

 

About the Mural Artist

Nick Sweetman is an independent, multidisciplinary artist living in Riverside. He holds an MFA from OCAD University, and has led and contributed to numerous mural projects around the city, collaborating with many of Toronto’s best artists. His studio practice is based in painting, but over the years his work has explored photography, video, installation, and mixed media. He is interested in drawing attention to physical and conceptual sites of fracture and intersection between natural forces and human-designed objects and spaces. By this he hopes to encourage consideration of our relationship with the planet and its non-human inhabitants.

Thanks to Community Partners

A special thanks to property owner Ron Elbers, who provided the wall space, and Vivienne Grace Ziner from Urban Quest for access to her property to complete the mural. The Ralph Thornton Centre and the Toronto Public Library Queen/Saulter Branch were instrumental in engaging the community in the mural’s design. The STEPS Initiative and Wipeout Specialty Cleaning donated mural materials and time. Thank you to the City of Toronto for funding this project.

About Riverside BIA   

The Riverside Business Improvement Area, established in 1980, is one of the first BIA’s in Canada.  The BIA’s mandate is to improve, beautify and promote Riverside as a business and shopping district through marketing, public programming and streetscape improvements, and this mural is a shining example of that. You can find out more about the Riverside BIA at: www.riverside-to.com

Riverside’s Got Swag(ger)! Where to Get Yours

There’s no doubt Toronto’s Riverside has got swagger and you can get in on the action by getting your own swag – here are some great sources:

2016 Swag

The Riverside Tee

Riverside BIA has been printing the same classic  t-shirt for years in different colours, focusing on the iconic bridge art “This River I Step in is not The River I Stand In”. Read the story behind this iconic art and bridge that has helped define and revitalize modern Riverside. The t-shirt comes in sizes S to XL and sells for $15 at the Riverside BIA office. The funds raised go directly toward supporting the fabulous Riverside events we all enjoy all year round.

The Riverside Bag

Like the t-shirt, the Riverside bag features the iconic bridge art of the neighbourhood, but the awesome thing is you can get your bag for FREE by coming out to Riverside events like Eats & Beats Streetfest, Walks, Winefest and Light Up Riverside.

The Riverside Toque

Did you know there is a Riverside Toque?!! Yep, it’s available from Tuck Shop Trading Co., whose products are designed in Canada, and made in Toronto and Montreal.  The Riverside toque is part of their City of Neighbourhoods Collection, which began as tribute to Toronto has expanded to include neighbourhood love worldwide! Their motto: Rep Your Hood. Love Your City.

The Riverside Poster

Point Two Design whose motto is ‘data as decor’ has partnered with Riverside to create this gorgeous local map poster. They use vector-based data for the sharpest details and the boldest colours. Get yours!