By Nisean Lorde
As of Friday July 31, at 12:01 a.m., additional businesses and public spaces will be reopening in Toronto and Peel Region as the Ontario government allows them to move into Stage 3 of their reopening plan. This decision was based on positive local trends of key public health indicators, such as increased testing, a lower … Continued
Social distancing has confined many Torontonians to the small apartments and condos in which they live, with limited access to outdoor space. To combat this, the City of Toronto has been enacting new policies that convert road space into pedestrian-oriented spaces such as patios and bike lanes. These initiatives are part of the city’s CaféTO and … Continued
With most of Ontario entering phase three this week (and Toronto expected to soon follow), many businesses are beginning to bounce back from the financial struggles caused by the pandemic. Sadly, however, the wave of COVID-related closures hasn’t come to an end, with several Toronto restaurants announcing over the past week that they’re shutting down … Continued
With so many restaurants and local businesses struggling or closing amid the pandemic, it’s heartening to see that others are managing to adapt to the new normal and finding ways to thrive. One such spot is Brockton Village’s Miss Pippa’s, which is reopening its storefront this week after four months of closure due to COVID-19. … Continued
By Ron Johnson
A new rental building will soon be proposed for Bayview and Millwood, adding another development to the area that is already seeing a major uptick in interest from developers. The application for 1466-1500 is planned to be submitted to the City of Toronto’s planning department by the end of August by developer Medallion Corp. It … Continued
By Nikki Gill
Popular burger joint Aunty Lucy’s Burgers will be reopening this Wednesday with a new home inside the Annex Hotel. The takeout spot was operating out of Duggan’s Brewery in Parkdale for the month of June but had a rent dispute that led to its closing. Now, after two weeks of searching for the right home … Continued
Acclaimed Mexican restaurant Quetzal has been transformed into Don Pollo, specializing in wood-fired chicken dishes. The Little Italy restaurant had been temporarily closed since mid-March amid the pandemic, with chef-owner Grant van Gameren opting not to offer takeout when restaurant dining rooms were forced to suspend service. View this post on Instagram … Continued
Chef Suzanne Barr announced late Friday evening that True True Diner is officially closed and will not be reopening as planned for post-COVID operations. The news of this popular spot’s closure will surely come as a surprise to Toronto diners who have spent the past year falling for chef Barr’s Afro-Caribbean diner, but the news … Continued
By Ron Johnson
Midtown Toronto jazz club and restaurant Alleycatz is closing permanently. The announcement was made via social media. “It is with an extremely heavy heart that we say goodbye to the establishment many of us have called home for the last two decades,” the statement read, in part. All indications point to an inability to … Continued
By lindsaylow
“Pivot” isn’t the mot du jour, it’s the mot du 2020. The hospitality industry — turned on its head by COVID-19 — had to quickly adapt to a dine-in-free reality. With rent and staff to pay, restaurateurs are getting creative when it comes to making ends meet. Many are now launching new products they never … Continued
It’s been a slow season for new restaurant openings as the industry adapts to the challenges of operating amid the pandemic. Fortunately, however, many restaurants are finding ways to move ahead with their opening plans, even if it means debuting with takeout-only service until indoor dining is able to resume. The latest restaurant to add … Continued
Widely-acclaimed pastry shop Roselle Desserts has announced it’s closing one of its two locations. Known for its beautiful French-inspired pastries, Roselle’s Corktown shop opened in 2015 and was followed by a West Queen West outpost, which launched last summer. Owners Stephanie Duong and Bruce Lee shared the news on Instagram on Friday, saying they plan … Continued
