So far only one Etobicoke beer store has been shut down among the 28 closed in Ontario due to reduced sales.

The Beer Store on February 28 shut eight more of its stores in Etobicoke, North York, Scarborough, Newmarket and Ottawa among the dozens shut across Ontario since last June.

Store #2313 at 10 The East Mall Cres., across from Cloverdale Mall, is among the ones that has been shut. The store had been there for decades and had a dedicated following.

There are still about 400 Beer Stores locations across Ontario that will remain in business.

In addition, there are 677 LCBO stores across the province.

John Nock, President of the United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW), Local 12R24, said the closures are due to more competition for beer sales from grocery stores, convenience stores and other retailers.

Variety store owners said the sale of beer has been good for business as it brings in new customers, who purchase other goods.

“This is definitely a direct cause of the beer market being opened up,” Nock said. It’s “all due to Ford allowing alcohol to be sold in convenience and most grocery stores.”

The Beer Store is required to keep 300 stores open until the end of this year.

They are looking at introducing other goods to recoup losses, which can include the sale of non-beer items as lottery tickets.

There are almost 4,200 convenience stores across Ontario that are licensed to sell beer, wine, cider, and ready-to-drink alcoholic beverages.

The Beer Store is owned by Molson-Coors, Labatt, and Sleeman, which are all multi-national corporations. The Beer Store is a joint venture chain of retail outlets in Ontario.

A long-established Long Branch family bar that has been a mainstay in the community for almost three decades has served its last plate of great wings and beer.

The owners of Sloppy Joe’s, at 3527 Lake Shore Blvd. W., told regulars on social media the bar was shut down permanently on March 3.

“We wanted to take a moment to express our deepest gratitude to you all,” Larry and Pete wrote on their website. “Our father opened this business in April of 1971, driven by the dream of creating a neighbourhood gathering place that felt like home.”

They said Sloppy Joe’s over the years became a cornerstone of the community, hosting events and other activities. The bar was a neighbourhood favourite known for their great wings.

“We have always strived to honour his vision, pouring our hearts and souls into continuing what he started,” they wrote. “It has been an absolute honour and the privilege of a lifetime to follow in his footsteps.”

Two generations of the family operated the bar for 54 years and “we have been truly blessed to watch this place become a sincere reflection of the love and support of the community.”

The bar has been known as Sloppy Joe’s for 27 years.

“While we are saddened to close this chapter, we are also excited about the opportunities that lie ahead,” Larry and Pete said. “This is not goodbye forever, as we will make it a priority to visit our many valued customers and friends.”

Many former patrons of Sloppy Joe’s took to social media to express their loss to members pf the staff and regulars.

“I really loved this place, I am from outside of town but would come in to meet friends for the best wings in town and a beer,” Kthor Nielsen wrote.

Christina Wakeham said the wings at Sloppy Joe’s were great.

“I’ll never have another wing as good,” she said.

Another regular called the bar a ‘Lakeshore monument.”

A new Fox and John’s Pub and Restaurant will be opening at the location

Toronto Police say they are receiving 45 calls daily to investigate possible fraud-related offences and there is no shortage of work as March is Fraud Prevention Month.

Fraud Squad Detectives said they received almost 17,000 fraud-related reports in 2024 and investigated almost $370 million in scam losses.

Police and other law enforcement authorities have launched a national campaign to raise awareness so people can safeguard themselves from online scammers.

The investigators said the five top reported frauds in Toronto last year based on dollar value includes: online investment scams with $71 million in losses; account takeovers with $36 million; romance confidence scams in which victims suffered $34.5 million in scam losses.

Cryptocurrency scams resulted in $33 million in losses and identity theft was fifth with $16.5 million in losses to a range of victims.

“Fraud targets all of us and fighting and preventing fraud is a collective effort,” said Detective Dave Coffey. “While Toronto Police receives an average of 45 fraud reports per day, we know this represents only a fraction of what’s really happening as it is estimated that only five to 10 per cent of frauds are reported for various reasons.”

He said the goal of the campaign is to promote the “3R’s; to encourage residents to recognize, reject, and report fraud.”

Anti-fraud officers said these scams often begin as romance scams, where fraudsters initiate contact through text or email, building a relationship with the victim over time.

“Once trust is established, they introduce a lucrative investment opportunity, convincing victims to transfer funds,” police warned.

Chris Lynam, of the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre, said fraud is often illusive and hard to spot.

“The Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre is committed to supporting its policing partners in exposing fraud, empowering Canadians with knowledge, and protecting Canada’s economic integrity,” he said.

Lynam said this month people are encouraged to recognize the signs of fraud, reject suspicious requests, and report to help prevent others from becoming victims

Josephine Palumbo, Deputy Commissioner of the Deceptive Marketing Practices Directorate said: “As scammers get smarter, Canadians and businesses need to stay informed and join the fight against fraud.”

“By recognizing the warning signs of fraud and reporting it to the authorities, we can help protect ourselves, our loved ones, and our communities,” she said.

 

A new Tibetan restaurant in Mimico is attracting some attention.

Pemako Kitchen, at 2416 Lake Shore Blvd. W., just west of Superior Avenue, has been open for about a year and features tasty traditional Tibetan dishes along with meals sprinkled with Indian and Chinese influences.

Owner and chef Tsering Tashi named the cosy restaurant after a region in Tibet where his parents grew up. The remote hilly region is one of the four in southeastern Tibet, where the Brahmaputra River descends into India.

Tashi’s trek to Canada is an immigrant success story. He was one of 1,000 displaced refugees from Tibet sponsored by the Canadian government in 2013 to resettle in Ottawa and Toronto as a part of a federal program that allowed them to become permanent residents.

He is active in the Tibetan community and is proud of a photo of him meeting the Dalai Lama in India. His restaurant has pictures of the Dalai Lama, posters and photos that remind patrons of home.

He was resettled in Mimico by officials on arrival here  and has worked his way up to finally open his restaurant, which has been a dream since childhood.

“Our food is not just about satisfying your hunger, but about nourishing your body and soul,” Tashi said. “We use only the freshest and healthiest ingredients to create dishes that are not only delicious but also good for you.”

The dishes were tasty, fresh and cooked on the spot with love and care.

“We believe that healthy food can be tasty too,” he said. “You can taste the goodness in our food.”

Pemako Kitchen is among about 10 Tibetan restaurants that has emerged in the west-end in recent years as people are enjoying the unique tasteful and healthy dishes. Most residents are familiar with Mo Mos but there are other dishes.

The menu includes the popular chow mein meat and vegetable dishes, assorted noodle dishes, a range of Mo Mos, delicious soups, Thali and Bhutanese cuisine. The filling dishes range from $10 to $15.

Tashi said he wants to help make Tibetan food more popular with Toronto food lovers. This City is known worldwide for its diverse restaurants and foods from all over the globe.

“I always wanted to open a restaurant,” he said. “I like food and to watch people enjoying our Tibetan food.”

There are more than 10,000 Tibetans in Canada, with most living in the Toronto area. Most have resettled in the Parkdale area with many living in South Etobicoke.

Etobicoke Lakeshore residents switched their votes from Conservatives on February 27 and elected Liberal Lee Fairclough who defeated Christine Hogarth in a stunner.

Former MPP Hogarth, who has held the riding for almost seven years, was defeated by about 4,000 votes by health care worker Fairclough.

Hogarth was one of a few Conservatives to lose their seats in an election in which Premier Doug Ford was swept back to office for a third term by a huge majority. The NDP is now the Opposition Party with 27 seats and Liberals 14.

Hogarth was elected to represent Etobicoke Lakeshore in 2018 and was a parliamentary assistant or member of a number of committees.

“Thank you Etobicoke Lakeshore for putting your trust in me,’ Fairclough said after her win. “I will work tirelessly to address the issues important to you.”

She plans to bring accountability and a strong voice to Queen’s Park to make progress on healthcare, education and housing issues.

“I also look forward to working with constituents and community partners to fine solutions on local issues.”

It will be an uphill battle at Queen’s Park as Liberal Leader Bonnie Crombie lost her own seat.

Fairclough has over 25 years of leadership in healthcare. She has dedicated her career to improving the lives of people in that she started out as a radiation therapist at Princess Margaret Hospital.

She was at one time the President of St. Mary’s General Hospital, where she guided her team through the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, working with public health, local businesses, and community leaders to protect vulnerable populations.

Fairclough was also a former competitive athlete and member of Canada’s Women’s Rugby Team at the 1998 World Cup, has a master’s degree in health policy and is an adjunct professor at the University of Toronto.

NDP candidate Rozhen Asrani received almost 4,000 votes in what was her first attempt to hold political office.

Asrani was a former president of the Mimico Residents Association and community advocate.

She holds a degree in Economics from the University of Toronto, and has worked for nine years in healthcare technology and innovation. She is now a Senior Product Manager in Digital Health.

 

 

 

 

The Bloor Street W. bike lane removal saga continues.

Some 40 outraged business owners have filed a lawsuit against the City of Toronto seeking the removal of five kilometres of bike lanes that runs from Runnymede to Resurrection Roads and connects Bloor Street West Village to the Kingsway.

Ward 3 Councillor and Deputy Mayor Amber Morley and Barbara Gray, the City’s General Manager of Transportation Services, have been named in the legal action that was filed on February 21 before the Ontario Superior Court of Justice. The two are accused of ‘misfeasance of public office.’

The business owners are suing the City for $10 million in damages for ‘negligence and nuisance’ caused by the bike lanes.

The small companies have repeatedly complained their business have plummeted with the installation of the bike lanes as it is difficult for customers to park and the elderly with mobility issues to get to their stores.

The Ontario government have banned the installation of bike lanes from busy roads and vow to remove them from Bloor Street W., University Avenue and Bloor Street W.

The lawsuit alleges the City has failed to properly monitor the impacts of the bike lanes, including how they affect emergency response times. Police and fire officials have said the lanes slow down their response time for emergency calls.

A Statement of Claim states that the bike lanes have eroded the character of the neighbourhood, decreased surrounding property values and reduced business and foot traffic in the area.

The group, which consists of a variety of businesses, is seeking an injunction that would require bike lanes to be removed to make way for motor vehicles.

The action claims the bike lanes have negatively impacted business and resulted in traffic congestion issues.

Residents are also complaining that side roads in the area are clogged with motorists trying to race around the Bloor Street W. bike lanes.

The Statement of Claim alleges Morley gave preferential treatment to an advocacy group over the voices of local businesses, and deliberately misrepresented the nature and extent of consultations on the project.

It claims Gray was being unlawfully lobbied by the pro-cycle group during consultations, and that she deliberately misrepresented or ignored bike lane data.

The allegations have not been proven in court and no date has been set for a hearing.

City officials did not provide a comment as the matter is before the courts.

Motorists can face more traffic congestion nightmares than expected as early as this summer on the Gardiner Expressway.

City plans are underway to rehabilitate five busy bridges over the Gardiner Expressway that runs from Highway 27 east to Humber River in South Etobicoke.

The major work was adopted by a General Government Committee on February 25, according to City records.

It appears the contract may go to EllisDon Civil Ltd., who submitted a winning bid of about $60 million.

The giant company has been ‘the supplier with the lowest compliant bid meeting the specifications and requirements of a Request for Tender.’

It is not known for sure when the job may begin or end.

The City said to curb traffic congestion and noise they are asking the company work 24-hours seven days a week to finish the job quickly without much disruption. Lanes are already reduced with major work already underway on the Expressway.

The work, which will take more than a year, will rehabilitate the bridges where the Gardiner meets Kipling Avenue, Islington Avenue, Parklawn Road, Mimico Creek and west-bound on-ramp over Mimico Creek.

The bridges are major connections for west-end residents to access the already busy highway.

Construction is expected to begin this month and is slated to be completed by November next year, with a pause for the FIFA soccer tournament between May 2026 and July 2026.

The Ontario government will fund the replacement of most of the bridges as part of the Ontario-Toronto New Deal.

The deal includes a provincial commitment to upload the Gardiner Expressway and the Don Valley Parkway to the Ontario government. Toronto will pay for repairs to the Kipling Avenue and Islington Avenue bridges.

Toronto is one of the worst city for traffic congestion in North America and the average driver can lose up to 63 hours yearly due to the traffic jams, according to recent studies.

In recent weeks entire NHL teams were forced to leave their bus and walk to Scotiabank Arena or they would be late for games due to a lack of downtown traffic movement.

Etobicoke Creek and the Don River are the worst in the Toronto area for being the saltiest waterways due to runoff from truckloads of road salt being used to melt our mountains of ice and snow.

Toronto and Region Conservation Authority (TRCA) data from 2024 shows chloride concentrations in many waterways have been increasing for 10-years with Etobicoke Creek and the Don River among the saltiest.

The study shows the salty waterways can pose a risk to aquatic, plant and even human health.

Too much salt can be toxic for fresh water life, and many GTA waterways are over the safe limit, according to the data.

TRCA officials tested the water quality at Mimico Creek last February 7 with a device that measures chloride concentration and the results were not encouraging.

“We look kind of longer term, and what we’re seeing is that of the 47 stations across our jurisdiction, 36 of them are showing increasing trends in chloride over time,” research scientist Lyndsay Cartwright told the CBC.

She said the salt will affect a number of aquatic species that lives and breeds in the rivers.

“Different aquatic species are going to have different tolerances to chloride, but a lot of the more sensitive ones will die,” Cartwright said.

South Etobicoke residents are sensitive over the health of our waterways since the August 2023 six-alarm fire at Brenntag Canada, and resulting runoff from firefighting efforts that entered Mimico Creek and Humber Creek.

Crews worked for weeks to clean up the dead birds and chemical runoff, some of which made it to Lake Ontario.

To make matters worst, there were 17 major bypass events in 2023 at the Humber River Treatment Plant, in which about a billion litres of wastewater was released into the Humber River that did not pass through the secondary treatment process.

Road salt though is the main source of the chlorine runoff. The City of Toronto alone uses between 130,000 and 150,000 tonnes of road salt annually to melt snow and ice on its roads during winter maintenance operations.

The City usually deploys hundreds of staff using 1,400 pieces of snow plowing equipment to tackle the snow.