Category: Bayview Biz

How Cadbury replaced the Kit Kat on sign at Bayview Jug

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New Cadbury sign
Old Kit Kat sign
Chocolate bar rivals

Cadbury and Nestle are among the fiercest competitors in the world. They sell confections on seven continents. Cadbury parent, Mondelez (formerly Kraft Foods) has had a running battle in Europe over the shape of Nestle’s Kit Kat bar, of all things. Nestle claimed a patent not just on the name, but on the four-finger structure of Kit Kat. Cadbury, which has its own finger food, fought that and won. The question of who would raise the new sign on the Bayview Jug Milk store at Bayview Ave. and Fleming Crescent was not as bitterly fought.

In fact, Nestle may not even know its beat up old sign is gone, replaced with a spiffy blue Cadbury flag. The Ontario Lottery Corporation may have a part of the action since its logo is up there now as well. The change came after the Jug Milk owner asked Nestle to replace the aging sign. It was a rusting eyesore. Nestle pondered that and declined. The owner then tried Hershey. It passed too. But the Canadian arm of Cadbury, the nearly 200-year-old British firm said yes. From what we hear, it may be the start of a program to install Cadbury corner store signs elsewhere. Certainly beats Circle K. But that’s another story.

Empty stores on Bayview are about to lose tax rebates

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Why are storefronts empty on South Bayview, Mt Pleasant Rd and other attractive midtown business districts? Mayor Tory suspects that many of these vacant shops are just property plays by their owners. Whatever the truth, Tory is campaigning to eliminate the approximately $22 million a year in tax rebates to landlords who control empty storefronts. He requires provincial approval to make the change. Landlords will see the issue differently. Business may be better than it was during the economic crisis of 2008 but things are certainly not back to the palmy days of 2000.

And while some landlords may play the tax loss game for profit it remains true that not every prospective tenant is worth the trouble. Too many stores wash out in 18 months if the business plan is based on a dream. Are rents too high? Sure. It is a fair comment that no one who can’t afford to buy the store should be in retail. In making his decision public, Tory said that from 2001 to 2013, the City handed out $367 million through its property tax rebate for vacant commercial and industrial buildings. Maybe half of that money went to businesses where property values are skyrocketing, he said. “We are subsidizing people to keep space empty that is increasing, almost hourly, in value,” Tory told reporters.

 

Mayor Tory tours Bayview BIA on Apple Fest Saturday

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John Tory, this is your life. No seriously, Your Worship, thanks for visiting South Bayview on the first of two Apple Fest days. The second is Sunday. The mayor is quite popular. A notable public official will find both acquaintances and total strangers (see headline slider photo) to share a shutter-click or two. We see Josh Matlow (Ward 22) and Patrick Rocca on the scene. The crisp and sunny Saturday was a boon to the BIA Apple event. A good first go at what should become a tradition.

Bayview-Leaside BIA seeks “master plan” for streetscape

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The Bayview-Leaside BIA issued a call for submissions in July on the co-ordination of streetscape elements on Bayview Ave. It seeks  a “master plan” to solve things seen as problems. The proposal notes the differences in streetscapes on the east and west side of Bayview. The west side retains large and obstructive concrete tree boxes. The east side was remade with the removal of these boxes in 2010.

NEWSPAPER BOXES

The call for submissions notes the “high number of newspaper boxes” on the street and suggests they be re-positioned. The backless benches are dangerous, the call says. These are part of the Bell Media outdoor furniture, refuse container and bus shelter contract with the City.  The BIA wants benches with backs. A problem of monumental dimension is parking. It is not likely to be solved in a streetscape re-make.

SOLUTIONS

The BIA asks for a plan that will address the problems as noted and offers suggestions. Among these are permeable paving around trees, removal of the backless benches, more benches and trees offering shade, repositioning of the paper boxes. black coloured street furniture and pedestrian scaled lighting. It asks for trees with tree pits or tree drainage on Fleming Crescent. The BIA also seeks more and smaller litter bins, cigarette bins and dog-poop bag disposal.

 

 

West Coast Kids now open at Bayview and Manor Road

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karen new

Karen Becker

Karen Becker was back at a familiar spot Sunday morning as the new West Coast Kids store opened at Bayview Ave and Manor Road. It’s a familiar place for Karen because the new WCK premises are where she ran her successful business Moms-to-be-and-more for so many years. She has polished a reputation as the go-to lady in children’s clothes, general wares and furniture over 21 years with Moms. Now she has teamed with the friends she has known for many years to manage the new WCK store. CEO Robyn Moar and her mom, the founder of WCK, are in town with other staff to help get the store open. The Vancouver-based firm has six stores out west and has made the leap east with Karen Becker’s help. They have a real asset in Karen who was saying Sunday that she is going to keep standards high. “We built a great business and I think my being here is going to help maintain what we did, keep the customer service levels high and keep the product knowledge and staffing high.” The four-storefront lineup of space on Bayview is large. It will rival in size some stores found in smaller plazas. Upstairs is a breathtaking collection of furniture focussed mainly on children beds and cribs. On the street level there is an array of clothes, toys and functional infant and children’s accessories. Karen was also giving credit to Mom’s staff, some of whom have returned with her. She sees them as important in any plan to grow. Everyone recognises a move from West to East is difficult transition but as Karen says  “They’re a growing company, so growing is growing.”   The WCK on Bayview will be open Mon-Tues 10 until 6, Wed-Thurs 10 until 8, Fri and Sat 10 to 6 and Sunday 11-5.

South Bayview’s north block has renewal and challenges

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street-550-names

South Bayview’s north block (north of Manor and Fleming) features numerous dynamic businesses that provide stability for business generally. Dolly Jewellers, the Academy of Culinary Arts, Parallele Interiors and the enormously busy Nail Studio next to Leo’s Barber Shop, all are great assets. We’re cheering for Never Grow Up as well. But there are changes. The north block continues to show us renewal and challenges. Upper left is the new sign for Amaya’s new eatery, yet to open, called Indian Street Food Co. Many are excited about that. Down at Manor Road and Bayview work continues on the new West Coast Kids space. This large four-store space previously was leased by Moms-to-be-and-more. It is really good news that Karen Becker, long-time owner of Moms, will be the manger at the new West Coast location. As expected, the Stop and Shop Pop-Up store will soon move out and the Mode Suzan space remains vacant, We miss it. The Brick is looking to move as well. They have not had much interest in the street since Sleep Country moved out down the street.