New sign installed at 1618 Bayview Ave
A new sign has gone up at 1618 Bayview, revealing that Fara Beauty Lounge will be opening in the recently leased storefront. This space was formerly home to Mexico Lindo, which closed after a fire in 2024. We’ll keep an eye out for more updates as Fara Beauty Lounge gets ready to open!
The Don Valley West for Environmental Action group is a community-driven initiative focused on encouraging local politicians to prioritize climate action.
Formed with guidance from the Green Neighbours Network, the group brings together residents passionate about sustainability, urban green spaces, renewable energy, and reducing carbon emissions. Each member advocates for specific environmental issues, aiming to spark meaningful dialogue with candidates and voters alike.
As the provincial election approaches, the group hopes to inspire residents to consider climate-focused policies when casting their ballots.
Councillor Rachel Chernos Lin’s February 2025 newsletter addresses Don Valley West’s key issues, notably the city’s response to recent snowstorms, with residents voicing frustration over slow snow removal and sidewalk clearance.
The Councillor highlights budget debates, focusing on property tax increases and funding secured for Sherwood Park’s Off-Leash Dog Area. Updates also include ongoing development proposals, transit improvements, and stormwater management strategies.
📬 Read the full newsletter here
Snow Shovellers Wanted
Access Alliance is seeking students and adults to help clear snow for seniors. See poster for more info.
Project Re-Cycle Accepting Used Bikes
Toronto Police are accepting bike donations to Project Re-cycle – which repairs and gives bikes to people in need. More details on the flyer.
A series of multi-day snowstorms recently blanketed Toronto with 53 cm of fresh snow, transforming the city’s parks into stunning winter wonderlands. On February 17, 2025, despite frigid temperatures of -7°C (feeling like -20°C with the wind chill), nature enthusiasts — and dozens of enthusiastic tobogganers — braved the cold to soak in the beauty and capture these breathtaking scenes.
This peaceful video showcases Serena Gundy Park, Sunnybrook Park, and Riverdale Park East, each draped in a thick layer of snow, highlighting how Torontonians make the most of winter, no matter the weather. Bundle up, hit play, and enjoy a moment of winter calm.
The City of Toronto has included Bayview Avenue in its snow mound removal plan, focusing on clearing snow from the curb lanes to improve road safety and accessibility. While the city’s full cleanup is expected to take up to three weeks, each street, including Bayview, will only be impacted during its specific removal period.
During the removal period, the parking ticket machines will be covered and no curbside parking or stopping will be permitted, with ticketing and towing enforced. Residents will see temporary orange signage placed in snowbanks ahead of the removal and may receive door knocks from crews asking vehicles to be moved.
City crews are working 24/7 to manage the cleanup, following heavy snowfall that left 53 cm of accumulation over the last 10 days. Bayview is among streets prioritized for snow removal to maintain access for pedestrians, emergency vehicles, and public transit.
For more information on the cleanup efforts, visit the City of Toronto’s Major Snow Event page. View full press release here.
With the provincial election set for February 27th, Toronto-St. Paul’s residents have an opportunity to connect with their local candidates during a virtual Meet & Greet on Wednesday, February 19 at 7 p.m.
Candidates attending:
The event, hosted by AppleTree Markets, offers voters a chance to hear directly from the candidates and ask questions.
Register now at www.appletreemarkets.ca to receive the Zoom link.
Thanks to South Eglinton Davisville Residents’ Association (SEDRA) for the reminder. Consider supporting their work by becoming a member or donating to their legal fund.
Screenshot of PlowTO /toronto.ca
With a fresh layer of snow on the ground and more expected this weekend, Toronto residents can check the city’s PlowTO Map to track snow-clearing progress in their area. The online tool provides real-time updates on when streets, sidewalks, and bike lanes were last cleared, categorized by timeframes. Users can enter their address to see recent plowing activity and differentiate between road plows, sidewalk plows, cycling plows, and salters.
To check plowing updates, visit: PlowTO Map.
The Sweet Potato has announced that its Bayview-Leaside location will close permanently on Friday, February 14, 2025. In a statement on social media, the organic grocery store shared that the decision was difficult but necessary to focus on enhancing its flagship store in The Junction.
The store expressed gratitude to the Bayview-Leaside community for its support over the past couple years and encourages customers to visit the Junction location. Shoppers have a few more days to stop by before the doors officially close.
Block Context Plan prepared for Starbank Developments 609 Corp. by MHBC – MacNaughton Hermsen Britton Clarkson Planning Limited /City of Toronto
A rezoning application has been submitted for 609 Roehampton Ave, proposing two 15-storey residential buildings on the site, which is currently home to commercial properties, including The Beer Store and the recently closed The WORKS Craft Burgers & Beer.
If approved, the development would bring 209 residential units, ranging from studio to three-bedroom apartments. The proposal includes 837 square metres of indoor and outdoor amenity space, with additional private balconies or terraces for south-facing units.
Vehicular parking will be limited to 11 spaces, primarily for visitor and pickup/drop-off use, while 231 bicycle parking spaces will be provided. The plan also features a north-south private driveway, which could eventually become a public road if the shopping centre to the south undergoes redevelopment.
Several changes are unfolding along Bayview Avenue with recent closures and upcoming new openings.
The Sweet Potato: Uncertain Future
The Sweet Potato grocery store at 1678 Bayview Ave has reduced its hours to 11 a.m. – 6 p.m. daily, but the shelves are mostly empty. The Bayview location has also been removed from the company’s website, suggesting a possible closure soon. As of a recent visit, the store was still stocking some fresh produce and a full selection of ready-made meals and (delicious!) soups.
New Tenant at 1618 Bayview
The space at at 1618 Bayview Avenue has bee leased. This is the former home of Mexico Lindo, which closed in 2024 after a fire. While a Google search suggests a salon may be opening in the space, no official confirmation has been made.
Fairway Restaurant & Bar Opening at 1660 Bayview
A new sign has been installed at 1660 Bayview Ave, marking the arrival of Fairway Restaurant & Bar in the former Original’s space (closed in 2022). According to newlyopened.ca, the venue will offer a mix of dining, cocktails, and recreation, including golf simulators, a chipping and putting area, and a pool table.
The WORKS Craft Burgers & Beer Closes
The WORKS Craft Burgers & Beer, located in the plaza at Roehampton Ave & Bayview Ave (609 Roehampton Ave), next to Metro, has closed permanently. More news on this address coming soon.
The City of Toronto is conducting permit parking polls for several streets in Leaside, allowing residents to weigh in on whether overnight permit parking should be introduced.
Polls are currently open for Glenvale Boulevard, Parkhurst Boulevard, Parklea Drive, Randolph Road, Thursfield Crescent, and Crofton Road.
If approved, permit parking would be enforced from 12:01 a.m. to 7:00 a.m., seven days a week. Residents should also be aware that implementation may require a No Parking prohibition on the opposite side of the street for operational safety.
Permit costs range from $21.34 + HST per month for applicants without on-site parking to $86.29 + HST per month for those with access to on-site parking. A response rate of less than 25% will be considered a negative result.
Ballots have been mailed to eligible residents, but those who did not receive one can request a ballot through the City’s website. The results of each poll will be made available 10 days after the closing date and will remain valid for two years.
For more details or to submit feedback before the deadlines, visit the City’s permit parking polling page: toronto.ca/polling.
The Leaside Garden Society invites guests and new members to its upcoming Speaker Series on Thursday, February 13, 2025, at 7 p.m. via Zoom.
This month’s special guest, Sherry Dodson of Durham Master Gardeners, will discuss “Edible Flowers” — covering safe varieties to eat, growing tips, and culinary uses. Dodson, a horticulturist and pollinator advocate, brings extensive experience in ecological gardening.
For more details and meeting information, visit leasidegardensociety.org.
