Category: Bayview Biz

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 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.

Bayview BIA will know its name in the New Year

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The long-awaited results of the BIA vote will bring much curiosity as to what it should be named. Josh Matlow (Ward 22) who broke the news of the vote result on Twitter, has long favoured the name South Bayview BIA. That was the choice of The South Bayview Bulldog as well as nearly 80 percent of the people who voted in a Bulldog poll in August. The decision might seem almost automatic except that last summer former Councillor Parker suggested that the name Bayview Leaside should be used. A vote among the five members of the steering committee brought a split in favour of the Leaside name. Mssrs. Matlow and Parker were somewhat at odds until they reached a working compromise at City Council in August to get the voting process moving. The new BIA was left simply unnamed. Mr. Matlow has been a strong voice in favour of a name which is inclusive of those living on both sides of the street. As residents will know, Leaside sits to the east, Davisville Village to the west. Also, South Bayview has a long history and considerable name-recognition throughout the area. In a tweeted reply to area political gadfly and naturalist Rudy Limeback, Mr. Matlow said the new name will be chosen in the New Year. In a tweet late today he added that the decision will be made at the first Annual General Meeting of the BIA and that he will be present to speak for Ward 22 residents.