Seeing sign after sign of small, family and independent businesses with closed or “for lease” signs shows how severe the pandemic has impacted our business neighbours who are often friends as well. Darkened windows bring an array of other problems along with adding a sombre tone to the tough situation we are experiencing. We hate to think what Queen, King and Spadina Streets will look like if we don’t show some or more love. 

The Canadian Federation of Independent Business, which may not include any of the really small shops, has started a campaign #SmallBusinessEveryDay. This hashtag gives us something to latch onto, and as signs of vibrancy are re-appearing, we are going to promote our local businesses that deserve our support. Above all, go in and buy something. Restaurants are offering takeout and many have opened up for dining in and patio service. Over the coming days, we will post and blurbs about small businesses in our catchment, and we encourage people to purchase according to your budget and ability to our collective benefit.

The building that stands in between two parking lots at 457 Richmond St. West had its day in court, and lost. We've linked to the judgements in our 457 Richmond St. W. development page, which documents our involvement in commenting on the project. Recently, Urban Toronto featured the revised plans for the site, with changes in square footage, but not in height, and notes changes to the south-facing balconies. We continue to watch with interest what will rise up at that site. 

We'd like to welcome the move of Black Eyed Susan’s, a fabulous florist who used to be on Richmond at Augusta, now on Adelaide St. W. close to Spadina, and we hear they love their new location. One of our association's members, Catherine, paid them a visit in December to welcome them to the street and made be sure they knew about the GDNA. We're happy to have them brighten our days with their wonderful flowers.

We're celebrating City Council's decision to make the Richmond-Adelaide Cycle Track, which includes Peter and Simcoe streets, permanent! We'll monitor developments to mode the cycle track on Adelaide to the north side, which should be considerably safer for cyclists, who won't have to avoid the commercial loading zones. The cycle tracks on Richmond and Adelaide flow through our neighbourhood between Spadina and Bathurst, so we have a keen interest in what happens with it. The cycle track's permanence is very welcome, and we can't wait to see how the switching sides of it on Adelaide improves things even further.

It took time and some creative work for City engineers to replace Benjamin Brown to his rightful spot on Spadina south of Adelaide after a vehicle sheared off the entire plaque and post. Perhaps not a fan of architects, but we are happy to have Benjamin back. Take a moment to read his contribution to building this part of Toronto.