High drama on Millwood Road Monday, as traffic came to a temporary halt for a rather elevated delivery at Leaside Gate condominium (955 Millwood Rd.). A crane was brought in to hoist a new chiller unit into place — not your everyday curbside drop-off.
For those wondering about the brief closure, this was the reason. Video courtesy of William L. — thanks for capturing the moment.
A sure sign of spring in Leaside, St. Cuthbert’s Leaside Church will host its annual Spring Fair on Saturday, April 25, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at 1399 Bayview Ave.
The long-running neighbourhood event promises a mix of shopping, treats and family-friendly activities, including books, baking, crafts, jewellery and more, along with a BBQ, coffee, snacks and sno cones. Children’s games and face painting are also planned, weather permitting.
Organizers say proceeds from the fair will support the church and its outreach programs. More information is available at stcuthbertsleaside.com.
A new tenant appears to be moving into the long-time former Pier 1 space at the corner of Laird Dr. and Eglinton Ave. E., with signage now up for a soon-to-open Dollarama at 815 Eglinton Ave. E. Thanks to Edmund for the tip and photos!
The location sat vacant following Pier 1’s 2020 closure, later hosting a series of short-term uses, including pop-ups such as a Spirit Halloween outlet and, most recently, a sales centre for the nearby Viva Leaside seniors’ rental project.
The corner also endured years of construction fencing and disruption, but is now home to the new secondary entrance for Laird Station on Line 5, located just steps from Dollarama’s front door.
Longer-term, the site remains part of a proposed RioCan redevelopment of the corner, though timing on that project remains to be seen.
The Leaside Garden Society’s Speaker Series continues on Thursday, April 9, 2026, with an in-person presentation at the Leaside Library (165 McRae Dr.).
Guest speaker Jess Conley will present “Designing for Hummingbirds in the Urban Environment,” offering practical tips on how to attract and support hummingbirds in city gardens. The talk will cover planting strategies, habitat considerations, and whether feeders are a good option for urban settings.
The meeting begins at 7:00 p.m., with refreshments available from 6:30 p.m. The Leaside Garden Society welcomes guests and new members to attend.
More information is available on the Leaside Garden Society website.
Leaside Life’s April issue includes a new community survey inviting residents to share their thoughts on living in Leaside — and where the neighbourhood may be headed.
The survey is part of a broader community initiative led by Leaside Life, the Leaside Residents Association and Leaside Memorial Community Gardens, aimed at identifying shared priorities on topics such as traffic, development, safety and community life.
The survey takes approximately 10–12 minutes to complete, with responses kept confidential and reported in aggregate form. It will remain open until April 30, 2026.
The results are expected to be shared publicly at Leaside Day on May 23, 2026 at Leaside Memorial Community Gardens, offering a snapshot of how residents view Leaside today and into the future.
Those interested in participating can complete the survey here: Leaside community survey.
Additional details are available in the April issue of Leaside Life.
A quick update for pastry lovers: Rahier Patisserie (1586 Bayview Ave.) has reopened after its recent renovation and store refresh. The bakery shared a glimpse of the updated space on Instagram.
The Leaside Garden Society’s monthly Speaker Series continues on Thursday, March 12, 2026, with a presentation by Mary Anderson on the Bowery Project, a Toronto-based initiative focused on urban agriculture and mobile food growing.
The talk will take place at 7:00 p.m. at the Leaside Library (165 McRae Dr.). Anderson, director of the Bowery Project, will discuss the history of the initiative and share examples of its work transforming vacant and underused public spaces into edible landscapes using portable container gardens.
The Bowery Project promotes urban farming through mobile growing systems — often built from repurposed milk crates — and aims to make it easier for communities to grow food in parks, sidewalks and other public spaces.
The Leaside Garden Society welcomes guests and new members to attend its meetings.
More information is available on the Leaside Garden Society website.
A few more changes spotted along Bayview this week.
At 1549 Bayview Ave., the former Bayview Shawarma is under new ownership. Signs in the window now read “Oriental Shawarma Coming Soon,” suggesting a new restaurant may be preparing to open in the space shortly.
Across the street at 1560B Bayview Ave., a “leased” sign has been added above the “for lease” notice at the former 9Round kickboxing studio location. No word yet on what business will be moving in.
There are also signs of activity at Mamma’s Pizza (1627 Bayview Ave.). The cardboard that had been covering the windows has come down, and the interior appears to be getting a thorough clean-up — raising the possibility that the shop may be preparing to reopen.
Meanwhile, Rahier Patisserie (1586 Bayview Ave.) is temporarily closed while the bakery undergoes renovations and a full store refresh. According to a message shared on the shop’s social media, the closure is expected to last until March 18, 2026.
Metrolinx has advised that Beth Nealson Drive will be fully closed between Wicksteed Avenue and Pat Moore Drive starting as early as Monday, March 23, 2026, as work begins on a new underpass related to construction of the Ontario Line.
The closure is expected to last approximately two years while crews build the underpass, which will allow vehicles, cyclists and pedestrians to pass underneath the future Ontario Line tracks. Once complete, trains on the new rapid transit line will run at ground level above the roadway.
Construction work is expected to take place Monday to Friday from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., with occasional extended hours or weekend work as needed. Traffic signage will be installed to help maintain access for local residents and businesses during the closure.
TTC bus routes and local school bus routes will also be affected, with detours in place and service changes including adjustments to the 88 South Leaside route and the introduction of a temporary 156 Millwood bus beginning March 15.
The work is part of the broader Ontario Line project. The new line will bring 15 stations to the city, including Thorncliffe Park, and will run from Don Valley Station through the heart of downtown to Exhibition Place.
More information about the project is available on the Ontario Line project page, or by viewing the construction notice.
effective March 15, the 88 South Leaside bus routes will be altered to accommodate the closing of Beth Nealson Dr for construction of the Ontario Line (a temporary closing expected to last two years)#Toronto #TTC
A quick update following yesterday’s Bayview Biz post. Sweetie Pie has announced that it is back open at 1639 Bayview Ave.
The shop posted on Instagram, “Hey Leaside after our brief hiatus we are back!!! Same great pies, wonderful staff and of course great coffee!! … We missed you Leaside!!”
More details can be found on Sweetie Pie’s Instagram announcement or visit their website.
There’s been plenty of quiet movement along Bayview in recent weeks, with several storefront changes and updates for local shoppers.
West Coast Kids continues to expand its already substantial footprint on Bayview, having taken over the former Bayview Manor Appliance (vacuum sales) space at 446A Manor Rd. E. Exterior renovations appear complete with a refreshed façade, new windows and double doors now installed. Signage is up, though the windows remain papered over as the space prepares to open.
Further south, signs in the window at 1579 Bayview indicate that Modella Ladieswear is closing its Bayview location only, with remaining stock now on sale. Other Modella locations remain open; store details can be found via their store locator.
Sweetie Pie has also vacated its Leaside shop at 1639 Bayview Ave. (with the entrance formerly around the corner on Fleming Cres.). Fans can still visit other locations listed on the company’s website.
At 1660 Bayview Ave., Fairway Restaurant & Bar continues to evolve, with an updated food menu and the addition of live music evenings. Signage out front is currently advertising a Feb. 26th performance and encouraging reservations. More information is available on the restaurant’s website. Longtime residents will remember the address as the former home of Original’s, which operated there for decades.
And finally, a bit of a mystery: Mamma’s Pizza at 1627 Bayview Ave. appears closed. The signage remains, but inside the shelves are bare and the space looks largely cleared out — with no “for rent” notice yet posted. Google currently lists the location as “temporarily closed,” though exactly what that means remains unclear. Stay tuned.
Spotted something new to report? Let us know. 🙂
UPDATE: February 27, 2026 — Sweetie Pie has announced that it is back open at 1639 Bayview Ave. The shop posted on Instagram, “Hey Leaside after our brief hiatus we are back!!! Same great pies, wonderful staff and of course great coffee!! … We missed you Leaside!!”
The local optometry community continues to feel the loss of Dr. Jonathan Slivka, who cared for patients in the neighbourhood for more than 16 years and is remembered for his compassionate, dedicated approach to care.
Patients have now been advised that Leaside Eye Clinic (1532 Bayview Ave.) will continue operating, with care transitioning to the team led by Dr. Olga Savitska of nearby Bayview Vision (1709 Bayview Ave.). The Bayview Vision team will continue seeing patients at the 1532 Bayview Avenue location, while also offering additional appointment availability and services further north at 1709 Bayview.
The eyewear retail shop operating as Vizio Eyewear at 1532 Bayview Avenue remains open and continues to serve the community.
More information:
