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Bloorcourt Blog

Advocacy Letter - Omicron Restrictions - Provincial - Jan 2022

1/8/2022

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January 5, 2022
To our provincial leaders,
Re: Urgent Asks from BIAs for Business Supports 
The Bloorcourt BIA, Chinatown BIA, Corktown Business & Residents Association, Little Portugal on Dundas BIA, Queen Street West, Riverside BIA, and West Queen West BIA, collectively represent approximately 1800 small & medium sized businesses and property owners in Toronto. The views expressed in this letter come from our direct consultations with many of our members.
On Monday, January 3rd, we learned that significant restrictions for many business industries were being put in place with less than 48 hours notice. 

Small and medium sized businesses remain the ‘engine of the Canadian economy’ and while
they are instrumental, they remain equally as vulnerable and fragile during the COVID-19
pandemic and beyond. 
As one of our local businesses put it: “At this stage, we need financial measures more than ever to help us through the next 6 months as we have all been weathering through this pandemic for so long with little respite.”
What we’ve heard:
  • A third round of the Small Business Support Grant up to $20,000 - Businesses were reduced/hit hard over the last two weeks of December (often the most profitable weeks of the year) is it critical to ensure they can access up to $20,000 per location owned by a business;
  • Businesses need immediate access to Rapid Antigen Tests - They are having staffing issues due to illness and close contacts, and continue to operate under a requirement to report COVID cases; however, adequate supplies of Rapid Antigen Tests are not accessible to businesses easily;
  • Access to timely COVID-19 Booster vaccines are needed now - Businesses are trying to help advise their staff on where to get Boosters but having trouble getting information and appointments locally in a timely manner;
  • Expand the moratorium on commercial rent evictions - Rent remains one of the highest expenses that businesses incur month-to-month and the current criteria for the ban is not supporting enough small-medium sized businesses. 
The BIAs have following main asks of our provincial government, in summary - what is needed:
  • Provide additional financial grant support for affected industries as they are still continuing to suffer under significant growing debt and costs due to pandemic restrictions; 
  • Financial Supports are needed in a timely manner (e.g. in a matter of days vs. weeks/months) when businesses are required to reduce hours or shut down, to ensure they are able to remain solvent and re-open;
  • Advanced notice of measures affecting businesses is needed when orders are mandated to allow business operators, local and provincial enforcement agencies to sufficiently and responsibly react and avoid incurring additional closure costs.
  • Clear, data-driven and evidence-based rationale for closures of business industries should be made public so that it makes sense for ALL businesses. 
We appreciate your ongoing support of businesses and would welcome and appreciate any further dialogue.
On behalf all of the BIAs mentioned above,

Jennifer Lay                                                    Meg Marshall
Executive Director                                          Manager          
Riverside BIA                                                  Bloorcourt & Queen Street West BIA ​
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Pumpkin Spice and Everything Nice for Fall in Bloorcourt

9/22/2021

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Hello fall and hello pumpkin spice season!

While we say goodbye to the hot and humid summer days, we can look forward to a new season of fresh, crisp and pumpkin-y things (Halloween will be here before you know it!)
​
Many of our local #Bloorcourt businesses have some great fall menu or seasonal offerings that shouldn't be missed! 

As always, thank you for supporting local! 

(Who did we miss? Drop us a line by email to let us know so that we can add to this list!)


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Happy Soul
961 Bloor St W
(647) 348-0961
Website
Pumpkin Spice Crystal Set 
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Each Pumpkin Spice Crystal Set includes:
  • Citrine for abundance
  • Carnelian for creativity
  • Moonstone for intuition
  • Petrified Wood for grounding
Each stone is approximately 0.5-1.5" and every one is unique and varies in shape and size, and the sizing of the stones are a close approximation
Image credit to @happysoultoronto on Instagram 
Purchase it Here

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Hill's Florist
943 Bloor St W
(416) 531-1109
Website
Fall Flower Arrangements
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This family-owned business, has been around for 4 generations, since 1933. They specialize in floral arrangements for any occasion and also offer beautiful plants and succulents. Visit the store Monday thru Saturday. 
Image credit to @hillsflorist on Instagram 

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Banoi Toronto
806 Bloor sT W
No Phone #
Website
Spiced Caramel Apple Galette
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"Apples are kissed with lemon and tossed with brown sugar and a fall spice mix, piled in a spelt crust with deep rich caramel sauce and topped with an oatmeal crumble" - Banoi on Instagram 
Image credit to @banoi_toronto on Instagram. 
Order Here

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The Makerbean Cafe
1052 Bloor ST W
(647) 346-2326
Website
Pumpkin Spice Latte
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We couldn't publish this listicle without a mention of an actual pumpkin spice latte! Order yours at The Makerbean Cafe (and be amazed at all of their neat laser-cut and 3D modelling creations) Available for in-store pickup, dine-in or order on participating delivery apps. 
Image credit to @themakerbean on Instagram. 

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Machino Donuts
823 Bloor St W
(647) 760-2008 
Website
Pumpkin Spice Donut 
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"Cinnamon sugar donut with pumpkin spiced cream filling. We like creamy pumpkin texture so decided to put filling into donuts, not dipping to glaze".  - Machino Donuts on Instagram 
Image credit to @machinodonuts on Instagram.
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Follow Up Letter to Provincial Leaders for More Support - April 23rd

4/24/2021

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Emailed to:
Premier Doug Ford premier@ontario.ca  
MPP Hon. Prabmeet Singh Sarkaria (Brampton South) prabmeet.sarkaria@pc.ola.org 
Associate Minister of Small Business and Red Tape Reduction
MPP Vic Fedeli (Nipissing) vic.fedelico@pc.ola.org 
Minister of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade Chair of CabinetMPP Lisa Thompson (Huron-Bruce) lisa.thompson@pc.ola.org 
Minister of Government and Consumer Services
MPP Chris Glover (Spadina-Fort York) CGlover-CO@ndp.on.ca 
MPP Marit Stiles (Davenport) MStiles-QP@ndp.on.ca 
MPP Peter Tabuns (Toronto-Danforth) tabunsp-co@ndp.on.ca  
MPP Jessica Bell (University-Rosedale) jbell-CO@ndp.on.ca 
MPP Catherine Fife (Waterloo) CFife-QP@ndp.on.ca 

April 23, 2021
To our provincial leaders,

Follow up Re: Urgent Ask for Additional Supports and Clarity for Main Street Businesses
​

The Riverside District, Queen Street West, Bloorcourt, Leslieville and West Queen West BIAs are five of Toronto’s 80+ BIAs. We collectively represent approximately 1300 small and medium sized businesses and property owners. The views expressed in this letter come from our direct consultations with our members.
We are following up on our letter from April 9th (copy attached) where we requested:
  • Clear lines of communication 
  • More sustained financial support for Toronto area businesses who have been on the longest lockdown in North America - with geographic considerations toward fixed costs
  • Scientific and evidence-based decision-making for policies and regulations

We have not had an official response from the Premier nor Ministers that this letter was originally addressed to. We want to reiterate the continued need for support and with special emphasis on: 

  • Immediately and permanently ceasing the 6% markup that restaurants pay for alcohol from the LCBO. 

Hospitality businesses are one of the most impacted business segments during this pandemic and we are facing a volume of such drastic business closures, we are risking losing the culinary culture and identity of entire cities due to lack of support for this industry. 

We would also urgently request a liaison from the Province to listen to the hardest hit business segments in Toronto which have been under the longest lockdown in North America, such as hospitality, fitness and wellness, and beauty industries.

Here are some messages directly from a cross-section of affected businesses:

“My wife and I have been working 12-14 hour days since the onset pandemic just to keep our business afloat. Allowing favourable pricing for licensees would be a welcome lifeline, helping us wean off subsidies while joining the ranks of rest of the world where bulk purchasers find economic viability.”  -Shamez Amlani, Owner & Operator of La Palette Restaurant @ 492 Queen St West, Toronto

“Our family owned and run business has been on Queen Street East since 2013. Running a local restaurant during a global pandemic has reinforced just how much the local community really wanted us to be here. Locals have sent flowers and their children’s drawings to thank the restaurant for staying open during such a challenging time. During tough times, it really gives you the courage to keep on going. But our business is suffering major losses with every week that passes and we can’t keep our doors opened without stronger government support. Ceasing  the 6% markup would be a most welcome step.” -Diana Sideris, Owner & Operator of Tabule Middle Eastern Cuisine @ 810 Queen St East, Toronto

“We were caught in the storm of COVID two months after opening and all our original hires left. But I decided that we would not shut down…not even for a day. I kept the doors open through deliveries and takeouts. However, we can’t sustain this business model, we need more hospitality support now to survive to make it through to the return of outdoor and indoor dining.” -Rohit Wadhawan, Owner & Operator of Indian Spice Room @ 717 Queen St East, Toronto

“We are a yoga studio since 2014 in the neighbourhood. We’ve qualified for all the government support available, it’s good, but to be completely honest, it's not enough. There is a lot of red tape around it, and you have to wait quite a while to receive a lot of the funding. Any money that I have received goes right into paying bills. We are pulling out all the stops with live-stream classes, online merchandise and marketing, but with our in-class business shut down the majority of the past year, it is a dire situation and unsustainable at current levels of support.” -Rachelle Wintzen, Owner & Founder of Chi Junky Yoga & Wellness Studio @ 70 McGee Street, Toronto

“As the mother and wife of high-risk people, I understand and support all public health measures to reduce the spread of COVID 19 that are backed by scientific evidence. As a spa owner who has not been able to operate since November 23rd, 2020, I am also feeling the devastating impact of these closures on my business, my personal financial health, and the mental health and well-being of myself, my team, and my clients. The toll a year’s worth of half-measures and last-minute decisions has taken on small business owners in Bloorcourt (and across Ontario) is immeasurable and we simply cannot continue on this path.” -Michelle Palmer, Owner & Founder of Pause Beauty @ 993 Bloor St West, Toronto

Once again, while we recognize that efforts have been made to support our businesses during the ongoing pandemic, not enough has been done. Due to the financial devastation that has been produced by the actions provincial government measures have been enacted to date, some businesses are taking risks under the strain they are experiencing. The only way to navigate past this reality is to directly address their concerns transparently on a financial, mental and emotional level.
The measures we have outlined are what business leaders need to see now to prevent decimation of our main streets.
On behalf all of the BIAs mentioned above,

Jennifer Lay                                                    Meg Marshall
Executive Director                                        Manager          
Riverside BIA                                                  Bloorcourt & Queen Street West BIAs
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BIA Letter Re: Urgent Ask for Additional Supports and Clarity for Main Street Businesses

4/9/2021

2 Comments

 
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Emailed to:
Premier Doug Ford premier@ontario.ca  
MPP Hon. Prabmeet Singh Sarkaria (Brampton South) prabmeet.sarkaria@pc.ola.org 
Associate Minister of Small Business and Red Tape Reduction
MPP Vic Fedeli (Nipissing) vic.fedelico@pc.ola.org 
Minister of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade Chair of CabinetMPP Lisa Thompson (Huron-Bruce) lisa.thompson@pc.ola.org 
Minister of Government and Consumer Services
MPP Chris Glover (Spadina-Fort York) CGlover-CO@ndp.on.ca 
MPP Marit Stiles (Davenport) MStiles-QP@ndp.on.ca 
MPP Peter Tabuns (Toronto-Danforth) tabunsp-co@ndp.on.ca  
MPP Jessica Bell (University-Rosedale) jbell-CO@ndp.on.ca 
MPP Catherine Fife (Waterloo) CFife-QP@ndp.on.ca 

April 9, 2021
To our provincial leaders,

Re: Urgent Ask for Additional Supports and Clarity for Main Street Businesses
The Riverside District, Queen Street West, Bloorcourt, Leslieville and West Queen West BIAs are five of Toronto’s 80+ BIAs. We collectively represent approximately 1300 small and medium sized businesses and property owners. The views expressed in this letter come from our direct consultations with our members.
While we recognize that efforts have been made to support our businesses during the ongoing pandemic, not enough has been done. Our members are looking for outcomes including more financial support for Toronto-based businesses, policy that is driven by transparent statistics, and clear lines of communication.
In summary, what is needed:
  • More sustained financial support for Toronto area businesses who have been on the longest lockdown in North America - with geographic considerations toward fixed costs: 
    • Remuneration for sectors that were publicly informed of reopening timeframes and then ordered to abandon reopening plans (including but not limited to health, fitness, beauty, wellness, retail, restaurants, and hospitality)
    • Introducing a sector-specific program for covering reopening and closure costs, such as wasted inventory, staffing costs, etc.  
    • Inclusive financial support programs that ensure all types of businesses in need are able to participate (i.e. new businesses that have opened during the pandemic, single person businesses).
    • Immediately and permanently cease the 6% markup that restaurants pay for alcohol from the LCBO. 

  • Scientific and evidence-based decision-making for policies and regulations: 
    • Transparency is needed with credible facts and sources to identify the reasoning for strong and major business closure actions taken by the provincial government
    • A clear path is needed now for how businesses can plan for re-opening for the remainder of 2021, following the current stay-at-home/ lockdown order, aligned with statistics, clearly associated KPIs (e.g. based on case counts, vaccination rates)

  • Clear lines of communication 
    • Outline a clear plan for how lockdown measures will be eased to avoid any further unnecessary costs for reopening and closing of businesses. News releases must immediately come with updated detailed regulations and orders.
    • Create a reasonable and clear set of rules for vaccinated people to remove uncertainty for our public-facing main street businesses

Due to the financial devastation that has been produced by the actions provincial government measures have been enacted to date, some businesses are taking risks under the strain they are experiencing. The only way to navigate past this reality is to directly address their concerns transparently on a financial, mental and emotional level.

We are already losing the character of our neighbourhoods and the social and economic diversity in all sectors of industry. The measures we have outlined are what business leaders need to see now to prevent decimation of our main streets.
On behalf all of the BIAs mentioned above,
 
Jennifer Lay                                                    Meg Marshall
Executive Director                                        Manager          
Riverside BIA                                                  Bloorcourt & Queen Street West BIAs

​c.c. 
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau justin.trudeau@parl.gc.ca 
Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland (University-Rosedale) Chrystia.Freeland@parl.gc.ca 
MP Mary Ng (Markham-Thornhill) Mary.Ng@international.gc.ca 
MP Julie Dabrusin (Toronto-Danforth) Julie.Dabrusin@parl.gc.ca   
MP Julie Dzerowicz (Davenport) Julie.Dzerowicz@parl.gc.ca 
Mayor John Tory (City of Toronto) mayor_tory@toronto.ca  
Councillor Paula Fletcher (Toronto-Danforth) councillor_fletcher@toronto.ca 
Councillor Kristyn Wong-Tam (Toronto Centre) councillor_wongtam@toronto
Councillor Ana Bailao (Davenport) Councillor_Bailao@toronto.ca 
Councillor Mike Layton (University-Rosedale) councillor_layton@toronto.ca 
Councillor Joe Cressy (Spadina-Fort York) councillor_cressy@toronto.ca 
Councillor Brad Bradford (Beaches East-York) councillour_bradford@toronto.ca
John Kiru - Toronto BIA Association jkiru@toronto-bia.com  

​
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Artist Open Call for Transit Shelter

8/26/2020

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The not-for-profit Bloorcourt BIA needs some help with creating a poster. And not just any poster: it will be a pretty large poster that is located at the Bloor/Dufferin transit shelter, facing eastward, on the south-west corner. 

The theme is to highlight shopping, eating, celebrating, and supporting our local Bloordale community for the fall/winter season. 

Submit your application here until September 6th, 2020. 

The successful artist/designer will be provided with a $250 honorarium

**The successful recipient of this open call agrees to work with the third party printing agency to ensure that the poster meets the necessary file/design requirements. The BIA will also retain rights to the image to be used on social media, website or other promotional materials to highlight and celebrate the community. Credit will be given to the creator of the artwork. 

If you have any questions, please email us at: bloorcourtbia@gmail.com
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This is a photo of the location of the transit shelter poster where the new artwork will go. 
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Tips and Resources for coronavirus/COVID-19

3/13/2020

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​Official Links to Various Governments on Updates and Statements

  • City of Toronto 
  • Public Health Ontario
  • Government of Canada
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Winners of #BloorcourtPumpkins

11/6/2019

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2019 #BloorcourtPumpkins Winner is: Pause Beauty!  

This was the second year that the Bloorcourt BIA hosted the friendly community contest of #BloorcourtPumpkins!  Twelve businesses put their creativity to the test and had some fun. The community then voted on their favourite pumpkins. 

And the results are in! 

1st Prize - $100 to Pause Beauty
2nd Prize - $75 to Long & McQuade
3rd Prize - $50 to Filosophy Cafe

The Entries

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Top Left: The Maker Bean Cafe⠀
Top Right: Wise Bar⠀
Bottom Left: Royal LePage Supreme Realty, Brokerage⠀
Bottom Right: Techniques Hair Studio Inc.
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Top Left: Station Bar & Kitchen⠀
Top Right: Filosophy Pastry and Espresso Bar
Bottom Left: Long & McQuade (Toronto)
Bottom Right: Pause Beauty⠀
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Top Left: Elegant Picture Frames & Gifts⠀
Top Right: Anarres Apothecary⠀
Bottom Left: Angel Hair⠀
Bottom Right: Bloorcourt Veterinary Clinic⠀
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Bloorcourt Parkettes in 2020

10/21/2019

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The year 2020 will be an exciting year for Bloorcourt! For the past couple of years, we have been planning for the installation for three parkettes in the neighbourhood. 

Locations include: 
  • Bloor St W and Salem
  • Bloor St W and Concorde
  • Bloor St W and Barlett

The parkettes are meant to encourage people to enjoy their community and surroundings. 

Inspiration for the elements of the parkette designs draws on the imagery of a local fruit market and the recent Rosina Shopkeeper research project with Heritage Toronto.  

Construction for the parkettes is slated to begin in spring 2020. We look forward to seeing people enjoying the parkettes once they are complete. 

These are made possible with a partnership with the City of Toronto BIA Office. 
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#BloorcourtPumpkins

9/29/2019

1 Comment

 
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Bloorcourt Pumpkins is back!
In celebration of Fall and Halloween, we created this community initiative in the fall of 2018. 

How does it work?

Bloorcourt businesses will be given a pumpkin to decorate, carve, dress up, paint or get creative with.  Members of the community will then need to visit the pumpkins online (by following the hashtag #BloorcourtPumpkins) or visiting them in store. 

Then, members of the community will vote for their favourite pumpkins!

When does it take place? 
Pumpkins should be ready and on display in stores or windows by October 25th for voting to take place from October 26th to November 1st @ 11:59pm.

Where does voting take place? 
Vote online here!

One round of voting per email.  Voting closes on November 1st at 11:59pm.

What are the prizes? 
The winning Business Pumpkins will win cash awards as follows: 
  • 1st Place - $100
  • 2nd Place - $75
  • 3rd Place - $50
***Prize money is intended for the winning business to spend it on their staff/team such as buying treats or a round of coffees or beverages in celebration. 

Community Voter Prizes
There are also 4 (four) cash prizes of $25 that will be drawn at random by all qualifying email addresses that voted for their favourite pumpkins. 
*individual staff members of businesses are eligible to vote. 

When will the prizes be announced?
All prizes will be announced or winners contacted no later than November 10th, 2019. 

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us at info@bloorcourt.com

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     Copyright 2021
Land Acknowledgement
The City of Toronto acknowledges that what we now call Toronto is on the traditional territory of many nations including the Mississaugas of the Credit, the Anishnabeg, the Chippewa, the Haudenosaunee and the Wendat peoples and is now home to many diverse First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples. The City also acknowledges that Toronto is covered by Treaty 13 signed with the Mississaugas of the Credit, and the Williams Treaties signed with multiple Mississaugas and Chippewa bands.
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