Shout out to real old Junction businesses

Some Junction businesses were here before the 12 year retail disaster of closed shops along Dundas St. W. and stayed throughout it all.








Here are two of them.

StereoKing (was a Pacific and Dundas for years)

And

Dencan books (was on the other side if the street for decades)

.thanks



Junctioneer.ca

Forever Interiors still open during building repairs

One of original retro-Reno retailers in the Junction this store which opened selling neat retro finds and has bloomed into a maker retailer is undergoing repairs to its building.

Apparently part of the stores interior which appeared to be fully build building was simply a roof make over a outside yard. Placed on the building on conjunction withy the buildings on either side in the 20's this roof was leaking and repairs are being made to the building to correct the issues.






Junctioneer.ca

Martino Brothers Collision alters their iconic building

Since 1955 Martino Brothers Collision CSN has been a fixture in the Junction both for its business of auto body repair and the white enameled purpose build building it occupies.

Now they are altering the building, seeming adding a second floor in the north west corner of the building.

Gone are the long vertical windows on this side if the building.

If the greater Junction area ever had a beautiful brutalist building this building this is it.

3379 Dundas Street West still has it direct Dundas St flank in situ with just a minor window alteration. Still there are the full height vertical setbacks which identify this building.




www.martinobrothers.com/

Good save of beautiful oriel window building front by building owner

This building housing Scandinavia and I hear now Japanese furniture and designer maker objects has won a coup with its present owners. After an extended period fronted with scaffolding, now removed the wonderfully designed front outcrop is still there.

This architectural feature on this building has long been a prize in the facade treatments of the Junction.

Great to see it remain.

Mjölk (Milk) pure, honest, and essential. Mjölk represents designers from ... Located in the Junction neighborhood of Toronto. Mjölk. 2959 Dundas St W; Toronto Canada. 416-551-9853 ...

Location:The Queensway,Toronto,Canada

Is the Hole in the Wall the place to be?

Dundas St. South side at Keele St.


Recently, this author has heard of many people frequenting the Hole in the Wall. Is this establishment filling a void caused by the departure of the Troubadour?

The Hole in the Wall, has a warm and definitely cozy atmosphere, with great local brews on offer. They are slowly introducing a small food menus, that seem to follow a theme each weekend...comfort foods, artisan cheeses etc.

Many people this author knows are enjoying this revitalized pub with its great music and inviting environment.

Is the neighborhood still lacking places where neighbors can gather and unwind after a long week?


- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

No window bars please

Why some retailers and commercial building owners see and feel the need to have windows bars fitted to the shop windows of their buildings is odd.

This happens throughout the Greater Junction Area. It is really unnecessary, as smash and grabs are almost unknown here, even during the period of "The Decline" in economic activity in the year.

And with today's prosperity in the GJA this activity only harms that area the community, especially the residential sector. It causes passers by to get that chilly fright of a risky area, which we are not.

Isn't it time we let these shops and building owners know we don't what these window bars blighting our visual views and the living character of our streetscape.

In the following images the black painted shop with the window bars is in the Junction Triangle and the other store is on the Dundas St strip.

Stockyards retail development landscape images.

The huge and highly anticipated retail mall at the north west corner of St Clair Ave and Keele St. has had building permits issued.

But right now the most viable and rather striking feature of the conversation of the last major lot in the old stockyards area are the large landscape views afforded.

These image were taken access the new TTC loop on St Clair Ave. at Gunns Rd. Also pictured below showing addition landscape work being performed.


- TTC loop below

Surprisingly Dundas St West has some dead use retail stores still.

Retail locations used as closed offices create rather odd and street face ugliness for the bright retail environment Dundas St. West is becoming.

As the lessor retail businesses occupying Dundas West retail spaces leave to be replaced by new exciting places the same hopefully will happen to these closed offices.

Gabbys in the Junction, will make room for strollers!! ..offers regular and gluten free menu,12 seat bar,65 seat restaurant area,

Wow an outtake to provide some great details about  from the Gabbys restaurant family about their Junction restaurant.

We have applied for a patio licence and interior licensing and plan to open in June with a gluten free menu, our regular core menu of 50+ items, a great draft selection, high quality flat screens, well trained staff and a consistent high quality safe eating environment. We will feature a 12 seat bar and a 65 seat restaurant area with room for strollers!! 

Eclectic furniture store on Annette St. Has high polish

572 Annette St. Is the location of a well laid and interestingly stocked store.

This area of Annette is quickly becoming home to lifestyle goods stores that are outshining stores on the main aerial strips such as Dundas St w. and Bloor St. W.

Business Improvement Area is looking for a new Executive Director

High Park Family Fun Place closes

A blog reader has written in that High Park Familly Fun Place has lost their location in the Junction at the building on the north east corner of Pacfic Ave and Dundas St West.

Original post about FFP on this blog click here

Rent arrears is the issue. Of course the building owner cannot carry a rent arrears on such a store front as the city taxes are the highest for this store frontage in the building - which would place the success of the building at risk. It is important to note this building owner has contributed more than probably any other building owner to this community though his support of community activities.

There is a rally being planned for this coming Saturday to support the Fun Place staying in the Junction and to locate a new site.

Creating such a community centric - centre rather than simply a business has been a goal of Jennifer and Pierre.

It has also been a similar goal for the owner of the building (who also owns the lot used by the community next to the building) The building owner allowed the Junction Arts Festival non profit (JFAC during the directorship of Michael Menagon and chairmanship of Bill Sandercook) to build the train station platform on the lot which is still used by the community.

As the Junction area moves towards a stronger commercial and cultural preponderance changes will occur.

We now as a community need to work to ensure both can exist, greater community commercial success and niche business that provide more than simply retail services, in fact a move to the west of Quebec Ave. for the fun place - where there is some really great space could actually help the centre as it is out of the business improvement area and the buildings are not subject to the tax levy associated with buildings within the business improvement area thus reducing there rental costs.

Note: this author has no personal or businesses relationship with the building owner, it is just important to make the facts known.

Are the Junctions best eats places destinations for the city’s hoard of traveling eaters

This blog thinks not,

A great mix of easy entry benefits  such as rock-bottom rents when looked at compared to "village" type neighborhoods in Toronto, long leases and word-of-mouth about the coolness of the Junction…suggests something is happening in the neighborhood served food area.

Yet for these new food establishments, has the  area’s understated profile kept its best joints from becoming destinations for the city’s traveling eaters. The closest subway stop is 15 minutes away (High Park). Of the public travel  depends where you are in the Greater Junction Area (GT), we think, but it's an issues, public transit from across the city involves, the use of both a subway and a bus.

One of the questions also raised is whether the new businesses can succeed or rather prosper in an area that’s not a destination, the Junction is just not that now as it once was for people across the great city of Toronto, such as the Danforth is) And, if they do succeed, how long will the area stay comparatively affordable for new businesses... simple tried and true restaurant offerings and not to mention unique offerings like Rawlicious, which had to leave.

....and to answer the never stated new question that Toronto's elected members throw at the public now. Do you have a solution for the  problem?  Well no, but this is one of last remaining Beat Blogs in North America, and posing questions while reporting local happenings is what the movement was/is all about.

 

Must see gallery show at Telephone Gallery

Of all the posts this author has posted on this blog this post is without doubt the one I am most qualified to write. Simply because it has works of art that include working with glass and structured textiles (free-motion embroidery is a structured textile) that is two materials of sculpture I know well.

LIZZ ASTON – paper burn-out, porcelain and AMANDA PARKER – kiln cast glass works are must see as they represent iconographic workouts of the long standing tension of making in craft materials in Canada. porcelain is not a regular stable of the educational environment in Canada, and although it is taught, often it is up to the student to refine the process and its particular issues themselves. While kiln cast glass represents a smaller section of the Ontario formal training in glass working. At the province's largest glass school it occupies the smallest square footage, and at the the largest resident artist program in the province kiln cast glass casting still occupies the smallest footage. (this I am completely know, as I designed the facility - of course with other glass people - but I had to make the final square footage decisions, and I do wish I would have allotted more footage and equipment to kiln cast glass making)

On to the works... the works of both persons are well created technically - and that in itself is an amazing accomplishment, glass is a material that takes years to come to terms with in the ability to understand the working of the material to a com-positional state that inherits the reasoning and artistic elements the work stated from within the mind of the creator. Porcelain working is much the same and abstracted porcelain - works that simply do not concern themselves with wall thickness and/or vessel creation, is that much more difficult.

Why must see, well the works have the indelible mark of thought tempered hands, an achievement of the mix of craft and art. The works also are of International calbrie. In the late 90's Canada's craft and art schools had a wonderful mix of foreign and native collaborations. The amount of these efforts has reduced much in the past decade.

I will not go into the artisic reasons for any of the works, but leave that to the gallerist, I could not do the the area justice as I do not know the artists.

To see works with this much thought you probably would have to travel to Seto Japan the world epicenter of such works now, but you can see it in the Junction.

And buying the works, well that would be a good thing, as the buying of professional craft or material based art is simply not about the physical work, although the tactile and visual quality of this work must be great. When purchasing such works you are delving into yourself, the culture of our existence, and promoting the continence of the questioning and thought about what it is to be just about anything you can think of. Material art which is once again beginning to shape much of what people can really connect too, is presently a bargain now in purchase cost. Some local Toronto galleries are concerning themselves with developing this. Sure most craft works do not achieve this goal but these two works do. (pictured below)

A while ago this gallery was showing the work of another glass artist, and the galleries interpretation of glass material art in the choice of work from the artists body really had me scared. The exposition of glass art in Toronto, which has always been a problem, can use good curation such as put to use in this show.



info from the gallery on the show.













Household Notions*

LIZZ ASTON – paper burn-out, porcelain
NOELLE HAMLYN – free-motion embroidery
PAM LOBB – mixed media printmaking
DORIE MILLERSON – needle lace
AMANDA PARKER – kiln cast glass GAAC link

Nov 30, 2011 – Jan 28, 2012

Opening Party & Holiday Cheer:
Thurs, Dec 1st, 6 - 9pm

Also attend the grand opening of ARTiculations (art supplies, workshops, exhibitions). Same night until 10pm. (2928 Dundas St West).

Whether inspired by a character in a contemporary novel or by the ability of thread to link elements together, a narrative quality runs through each of the works in Household Notions. Textiles have a rich history that speaks to women and craft. These multi-layered sculptures explore domestic textiles, (including needlework and crochet) as well as the personal relationships, memories, and attachments that are formed with handmade objects, and the narratives that can be created with them. Alternative mediums such as glass, paper and porcelain expand upon our expectations of conventional textile patterns and constructions. Just as fabrics can degrade and fade with time, some textile references have been deconstructed, leaving residual impressions that reflect upon the absence of the object. Overall themes of exploration in this exhibition include fragility, intimacy, strength and tension.

* Notions are small items for household use such as needles, buttons and thread. A notion can also be a belief, an idea or a whim. (Here’s a household notion for you: Call your mother.)

BiographiesLizz Aston holds an Advanced Diploma from the Sheridan Institute of Technology - Crafts and Design, Textiles Major (2009) and is currently completing a residency at Harbourfront Centre (Artist-in-Residence, Textile Studio). Aston recently received the Kingcrafts/Lady Flavelle Scholarship from the Ontario Crafts Council and her work is currently featured in Love Lace, International Lace Award, Powerhouse Museum, Sydney, Australia.Noelle Hamlyn holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts, School of the Art Institute of Chicago (2009) and an Advanced Diploma in Crafts and Design, Textile Major, Sheridan Institute of Technology and Advanced Learning (2007). She is currently a member of the Contemporary Textile Co-Op, 401 Richmond, Toronto, Ontario and her work is currently featured in Love Lace, International Lace Award, Powerhouse Museum, Sydney, Australia.

Pam Lobb holds an Honours Bachelor of Arts, Studio Art, from the University of Guelph, Ontario (2007) and a Bridging the Gap, Certificate Course, OCAD, Toronto (2009). Lobb has won several awards in 2011 including Best of Show, Art on the Street in Guelph, and Best of Artwork on Paper, Toronto Outdoor Art Exhibition.Dorie Millerson holds a Master of Fine Arts in Craft, (Textiles), NSCAD University (2003) and is an Associate of the Ontario College of Art & Design (Hon.), Fibre (2000). She has exhibited extensively nationally and internationally and is currently Assistant Professor (CLTA), Faculty of Design, OCAD University, Toronto, Ontario.Amanda Parker holds an Advanced Diploma, Crafts and Design, Glass Program, Sheridan Institute of Technology and Advanced Learning (2010). She also holds a Diploma in Applied Arts, Interior Design also from Sheridan Institute (2002). Parker recently completed a printmaking in glass workshop with Jeffrey Sarmiento, Pratt Fie Arts Center, Seattle, Washington and has been featured in numerous exhibitions in Ontario and British Columbia.

HOURS
Tues by appt.
Wednesday and Saturday 11am - 6pm
Thursday and Friday 11am - 7pm



TELEPHONE BOOTH GALLERY
3148 Dundas Street West - Toronto - Ontario - M6P 2A1
(The Junction, Dundas at St. John's Rd.)
T 647 270 7903 - www.telephoneboothgallery.ca

Contact: Sharlene Rankin, Director
sharlene@telephoneboothgallery.ca

Updated 3:11pm good news... new header in post.....Sadly the Sweet Potato store had a fire this morning on its second floor of the building.

Reposted from the comments,

this comment posted by Sweet Potato staff

 

The Sweet Potato has had some minor water damage as a result of the fire upstairs. We’re working with our insurance agency and the health inspector to repair all damages and get the store open as soon as possible.

The Sweet Potato will definitely reopen – and crossing fingers for tomorrow.

We will update The Junctioneer again this afternoon.

Our friends who lived in the apartment upstairs are safe and did not sustain any serious injury.

 

 

The Windows on the second floor are broken out and blackened. From Pacific Ave and Dundas it is not possible right now to have a view if the store. Posted 9:05am

Junction retail locations being snapped fast. A new shortage?

 

[caption id="attachment_9415" align="aligncenter" width="450" caption="A new look and use for the rear of Junction retail buildings, the image above glimpses how buildings rear facades can be reconfigured to become ''fronts''"][/caption]

 

More retailers in the Toronto area are opting for Junction locations.   The ongoing decades of recovery is sustaining, primarily from the influx of new residents and the higher density buildings being built. Moving this renewal along are new and exciting stores have cropped up in various sectors such as the furniture trade and an excellent range of full service restaurants and coffee houses.

Amid a tight supply of adequate retail space, new retailers and building owners are going to have to seek alternative locations such as expanding the strip to the east and west, areas that at one time were just as busy as what is now considered the core retail area.   Building density uses and converting some buildings to both front and back retail uses, with a shop fronting on the street and another fronting  the lane-ways.

Despite carrying greater growth now, however, Junction high-street retail must adapt to demand while facing competition from the new mall at St Clair and Weston Rd. which will offer multiple shopping options, more accessibility and easier car parking.

Recent retail studies have stated that high streets such as the Junction strip are increasing their power of attraction and more and more retail chains and well-known national and international brands are choosing this format. Starbucks is one in the Junction, but where are the others that have appeared in areas such as Leaside and Bloor West Village.  A strong Junction for the residents needs both independent retailers with a few nationals throw in can complete the shopping destination for non Junction residents and local residents.

 

Mandated civil planning to create artificial architectural detailing

 

 

The street level component of a  proposed condo development on Annette St.  is set  to end up  a rather bland infill under the  design requirements of the City of Toronto.

Looking  at the image above it can be  clearly seen the developers are designing under the city  requirement to build into the building an element that aligns the  portion of the building that runs parallel with the height of the existing buildings on either side of the new building to create a sight line that unifies the running height along the street-scape.

While this is an important consideration for some new infill buildings, such as where a historical building  would be diminished in view or scale. Requiring the rule to be applied to all construction extremely limits designers and builders ability to build for use and needs to the people who are actually going to live in the building.

As more people in the city choose condo living, why not explore the opportunistic appeal of condo living, designing and creating buildings that mold in the new fabric created by the people though the their use of their community.

Below is an image of the a contemporary housing project by IKEA - the furniture company, which also builds housing. This project in Scotland, does not work to align window height,or maintain traditional fenestration coverage. It does not conform to roof design norms in the area  but it does add and fit into the areas older group of buildings, being designed to bring new visual entrance  views for both the roadway turn and the buildings connection to its area.

As the greater amount of Junction residential stock changes from buildings of two and two and half story houses to a greater volume of condos in the next 5 to 7 years, attention and a change will be necessarily in the communities directions to its elected persons to develop a a greater interest in urban participatory design or the community will end up with artificial build environment.  [1.a predication extrapolated  from the number of condo development under consideration and available lots for condos}

 

[caption id="attachment_9369" align="aligncenter" width="400" caption="Contemporary Housing · IKEA Scotland · Newcastle Architect Studios"][/caption]

Shoes and sundries long gone with a new recurrence of furniture stores

Mr Television and Audio which for decades occupied 2781 Dundas Street West closed down a number of months ago. Now a new home furnishing store is preparing to open further expanding the number of furniture stores that people across the city have come to the Junction to shop at.

Furniture sales was once popular in the. Junction along with sundries and shies. In addition to full furniture stores Woolworth's, SS Kresge's and the Junction Bargain House all sold furniture. All three are gone now, but the tradition returns.

Architect Richard Rogers states city development was the best way to build new homes today

 

With 4 condo development sites, and currently building retail site and one  more large possible large retail site available in the greater Junction area (GJA) for development, is it not time for the community to start gaining better traction to work out a model from for this development.

The report below provides a very interesting overview of the re-urbanization of inner city areas.

Lord Rogers has authored a report that states that city development was the best way to build new homes because of their jobs, infrastructure and public transport systems with garden cities and new towns far more car-based.

“Cities are the most efficient thing,” he said

From the introduction...

The vision of the Urban Task Force remains an integrated

and multifaceted one founded on the creation of urban

communities that:

• are well designed, compact and connected

• support a diverse range of uses in a sustainable

urban environment

• are well-integrated with public transport

• are adaptable to change.

True to that vision, and in keeping with the original mission

of the Urban Task Force, we make recommendations in this

report based on the principles of:

• design excellence

• social wellbeing, and

• environmental responsibility

set within a viable and sustainable economic, legislative

and delivery framework.

Full report

 

Broken social structure at Keele St. and Dundas St. West?

As many commentators have  pointed out on this blog over the years, is the idea that the Junction area at Keele St.  and Dundas St. West around the south-east corner is “broken”.

Commonly reports about the social problems we do experience in this area.  Crime, drugs . Probably resulting from the notably high levels of economic inequality,  in the immediate few blocks surrounding this corner. The great amount of travel though traffic, some making difficult or unsafe turns is also part of the problem.

The gap between intention and action, and between denial and knowledge from just about every organized body, community groups, government, business organizations, causes this corner to keep its notorious nature. 

Solutions will be difficult to inter, as the intersection sits of the dividing line between two city wards, two resident associations,  but it does sit right in the Junction business association area allowing for single interest from one entity if a workup plan to solve the intersections problems is ever put forward.