The Toronto Star today carries a story further exploring the background of Paul Hindle, the man accused in the death of Leaside home decorator Lisa Lebitka. He was seen by many as fun-loving and energetic but, according to Amy Dempsey of the Star, those who knew Hindle, like his eldest son, mother and former business associates, say he left a “trail of disaster.” This is a family photo of L:isa Lebitka with Hindle’s 18-year-old son Evan.
Target Corporation has announced the first 24 Zellers locations to be converted into Target stores. As previously revealed, one of them is the Zellers in the East York Town Centre on Thorncliffe Park Drive. The new stores are slated to be ready by March or early April 2013. That would seem to mean that the stores will be closed with renovations underway during the 2012 Christmas season. Target says it will spend approximately $10 million to $11 million to remodel each store “in order to bring the full Target brand experience to Canadian communities.” Target says it will employ 150 to 200 associates in each store. “Store team hiring will begin in 2012 and Target will engage with Zellers associates to make it easy for them to apply for jobs.” Others can apply to Target by visiting www.Target.ca/careers.
This winter’s extraordinarily fine weather has got the hammers ringing at dozens of sites across Leaside. The lack of snow is driving home improvement of all kinds. From total knock downs through bump ups to interior renovations, the push is on. Neighbors on one dynamic street, Donlea Drive, will be delighted to see the furious work going on at No. 48 (inset). This property has been a hole in the ground for more than a year, but today carpenters were all over the structure in cold but clear weather. The same type of activity can be seen on almost any street.
A Starbucks shop will open shortly in the former TD Bank building at the corner of Eglinton Ave. E and Laird Dr. Only recently, we were pondering the lack of a tenant here. It’s been a while. The bank has been gone for nearly a year. This fine example of 1940s bank architecture will make a good home for Starbucks. A Green Bank store for the Green Mermaid, so to speak. It’s thought among Starbucks staff that the management is looking ahead to the day when the Crosstown LRT opens with a station at this intersection. It is a boost for the whole Eglinton strip on the north side which has languished for years. May it have a re-birth. There will be two public information meetings this month held by Councillor John Parker. The meetings will deal with the City’s 2012 budget. They are scheduled as follows: Tuesday, January. 10 at the Ontario Federation of Labour building, 15 Gervais Dr. and Thursday, January 12 at Leaside Gardens, 1073 Millwood Rd. Both meetings will run from 7 to 9 pm.
