The South Etobicoke News

Serving Humber * Mimico * Lakeshore Village * Long Branch * Alderwood

Tough days ahead for local businesses in a second COVID lockdown

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Business owners in the South Etobicoke area are living in fear of losing their livelihood from a second pandemic shutdown as imposed by the Ontario government.

The province says the lockdown will begin on midnight Monday November 23 in Toronto and Peel Region as Ontario tries to curb a steep rise in COVID-19 cases.

The closure will affect restaurants and bars, which will have limited service, gyms, nail, makeup salons, spas, hairdressers and many others; which will be required to be shut for a minimum of 28 days.

A fine of $750 will be imposed for violating the public-health rules.

“Further action is required to prevent the worst-case scenario,” Premier Doug Ford said at Queen’s Park.

The restrictions announced on Friday means no indoor gatherings with anyone outside a person’s household, and outdoor gatherings are limited to 10 people.

Restaurants are limited to take-out, drive-through and delivery only service, according to public health.

People who live alone can have close contact with one other household, health officials say.

Religious services, funerals and weddings are limited to 10 people indoors or 10 people outdoors.

Shopping malls will be open for takeout service from food courts. Customers will not be able to shop at the stores.

Non-essential retail and malls are limited to curbside pickup or delivery only, according to public health officials.

Supermarkets, grocery stores, pharmacies, hardware stores, discount and big box retailers, liquor and beer stores, safety supply stores, and convenience stores may open.

Schools will remain open.

Also shut will be personal care services, casinos, conference halls and bingo halls. Indoor sports and recreational facilities, including pools, closed with exceptions

Eight more people with COVID-19 have died, the province said Friday, bringing the official death toll to 3,451. So far this month, 315 people have died of COVID-19 in Ontario.

Officials of the Lake Shore Village Business Improvement Area (BIA) say local merchants will have a hard time coping in what is usually a busy time of the year for Christmas sales.

 

Dave relives Cloverdale Mall where the iconic past is meeting the future

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Cloverdale Mall was built in 1956 and is undergoing major redevelopment with condos and stores.

By DAVE KOSONIC

Many South Etobicoke boomers will likely have fond memories of the Cloverdale Mall from back in the 1950s and ‘60s, including looking at miniature pet turtles for sale at Kresge’s to ordering a burger and fries at a Kingburger food stand in the courtyard.

This iconic mall that dates back to November 1956 is undergoing big changes, but one original business remains in existence and that is the Taylor Somers exclusive menswear shop. That includes the original location with several renovations over the years.  Also not forgotten is the old-style Cloverdale Restaurant owned and operated by a man known as Jimmy. The menu included dishes ranging from apple pie to a roast beef dinner with all the trimmings.  Line ups of waiting customers were common there.

There is also the unsolved Cloverdale Mall bank mystery from years ago. Many businesses regularly slipped deposits into an after-hours deposit box at the front of a bank located at the south end of the mall across from Winners. One morning when some bank staff members opened this deposit box to clear the bags it was empty. Despite a thorough investigation that included both police and bank officials the mystery was never solved and the hefty deposits were gone. This resulted in a confusion between the bank and affected businesses about how to make the situation right for those who lost their money.

During the 60s there was a lower-level bowling alley and pool hall at the C Mall, as it was sometimes referred to. There were no automatic pin-setters at the time and pin boys at the far end of the alleys cleared the fallen pins and then re-positioned them so a bowler could roll another ball down the alley during a five or 10 pin game.

In the pool room some billiard sharks really knew how to clear the tables with fancy shots that included two-bankers. At times it was almost like a scene from the movie called The Hustler as Paul Newman used his chalk tipped cue while playing against Jackie Gleason, known as Minnesota Fats.

Cloverdale was designed as an outdoor plaza originally with two open-air sections separated by a courtyard.  The property was originally farmland owned by the Eaton family. But when nearby Sherway Gardens opened in 1971 business at Cloverdale started to decrease so the owners decided to make an investment and enclose the facilities and make additions over the years.

The two big stores at Cloverdale were the Dominion Store and Morgan’s, which was later sold to the Hudson’s Bay Company. Then discounter retailer Zellers stayed for a few years. Target moved in and lost it’s shirt and closed. Other stores back in the day included United Cigar Store, LCBO, Tip Top Tailors, Calderone Shoes, The Hot Oven and Wilf and Mary Sayers record shop that sold the pop 45-records of the day that included Elvis of course.

The Cloverdale Mall is a landmark and large part of Etobicoke’s history dating back 64 years.

Realtor settles in Alderwood and seeks to unite businesses

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Realtor Marta Pozniakowski loves the Alderwood area to work and play. Photo by Tom Godfrey.

Realtor Marta Pozniakowski loves the Alderwood area so much that she purchased an old laundromat and spent thousands to convert it into a spacious expresso bar and real estate office.

The laundromat which has been a fixture for decades in a small plaza besides Il Paesano Pizza, at Brown’s Line and Horner Ave., took about a year to renovate with new fixtures, floors, walls, in addition to many other tasks undertaken, to bring it up to modern standards.

The office is now Re Max Equinox Expresso Bar Namaste, at 392 Brown’s Line, which features a pleasant barista who serves some delicious expresso coffee.

The mother of two young kids and Broker of Record for Re Max opened up her business soon after COVID-19 struck earlier this year.

“In one day the whole world, my schedule, kid’s schedule, work and business plans went down the garbage,” she says. “I really feel like a super woman, after the last few months, juggling my business, new ventures and a busy household with active children.”

She sells commercial real estate and is now accepting more clients in search of residential properties.

“I see so much potential in the Alderwood real estate market,” Pozniakowski smiles. “Someday I will be the biggest realtor in the area.”

Her company is one of the newest in the community and already the realtor is working with other businesses to establish a Brown’s Line Business Improvement Area (BIA) so companies can unite and create opportunities.

“There are many more opportunities as a BIA that is available to us,” she vows. “We are talking about it and trying to get it off the ground.”

Before obtaining her real estate license, she founded the Polish Film Festival, which has been staged annually for 12-years.

“This is the only year that we have not had a Polish Film Festival due to the pandemic,” she notes. “We have been operating the successful festival since 2008.”

The festival has attracted some major Canadian, European film stars over the years.

Pozniakowski has always been interested in movies and is proud to have graduated from film school in her native Poland, before emigrating to Canada in 2007.

She is married to prominent dentist Dr. Jack Pozniakowski, who has been in practice for more than 25-years in the New Toronto area.

Pozniakowski can be reached at 416-746-1551.

 

Iconic Theatre Etobicoke faces last curtain call due to virus

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The curtain may be falling for the last time on Theatre Etobicoke after 64-years of thrilling audiences in South Etobicoke.

Theatre Etobicoke President Paul Louie admitted the long-running theatre has been hit hard by COVID-19.

“We rely solely on ticket sales and production sponsorships for our revenue generation,” Louie wrote on social media. “We have suffered devastating financial losses.”

He is not sure when the beloved theatre will return to normal operations, as they were unable to deliver any stage productions this summer.

“We are gravely concerned that without your support we will be forced to close permanently,” he said. “Our reserve funds that we worked so hard over the years to grow are depleting quickly.”

Louie said an emergency fundraising campaign is underway so the theatre ‘can remain financially solvent.’

He warned that without support from sponsors, donations and ticket sales, their reserve fund will only last so long.

“We are very proud to have been able to serve our community and operate as successfully as we have for the past 64 years,” Louie wrote. “We don’t want this pandemic to mark the final curtain call for Theatre Etobicoke.”

They hope to raise $25,000, or about one-year of their fixed costs. At least $5,000 of this will be committed from an emergency reserve fund.

“We plan to be around in 2026/2027 to celebrate our 70-year anniversary of offering quality, live community theatre,” Louie vowed.  The group’s last play was Death By Design in 2019.

Cheques can be sent by mail and made payable to: Theatre Etobicoke, 25 Whitlam Ave, Etobicoke, ON, M8V 2K1.

For more information, or to make a donation or e-transfer, patrons can visit www.theatre-etobicoke.com

Kevin Hart and Woody Harrelson making movie in Queensway and Kipling area

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Woody and Kevin in the area filming Sony comedy. BlogTo photo.

Two of Hollywood’s top actors Woody Harrelson and Kevin Hart have been seen wandering around The Queensway and Kipling area recently working on a movie.

The pair are filming a new Sony comedy called The Man From Toronto, which has also been shooting in downtown Toronto and Brampton.

It is reported that they have been busy at a large production set that was erected  in The Queensway and Kipling area.

The story tells the story of the “the world’s deadliest assassin and New York’s biggest screw-up who are mistaken for each other at an Airbnb rental,” according to promotional materials.

The Queensway and Kipling area is believed to be he base camp for this part of production.

Filming for the much-anticipated action-comedy was originally due to begin back in the spring, but production was delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Man From Toronto is expected to filming in the city until Dec. 15.  It is set to premiere on Sept. 17, 2021.

 

Police warning residents of the ‘arguing cabbies’ taxi fraud scam

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Just when you think you’ve heard all the taxi fraud scams. Here’s another and it involves COVID-19 as well.

Toronto Police officers from Downtown’s 52 Division are warning cab users of the latest taxi scam to be reported.

Police in a November 10 press release writes the scam involves a fake taxi that is parked in a high-traffic area.

“One suspect poses as the taxi driver and another suspect poses as a customer,” detectives say. “The two suspects pretend to have a loud argument where the driver refuses to take cash due to COVID-19.”

A member of the public overhears the argument and offers to help by letting the suspect use their debit card to pay for the cab fare, in exchange for cash, according to police.

The victim then inputs the PIN number for their debit card into the modified Point of Sale terminal, which police say, records their card data and PIN number.

“After the transaction is successful, the victim is given another bank card resembling their own card and accepts cash from the one suspect before leaving,” states the press release.

Police say the “suspects are then in possession of the victim’s debit card and use the PIN number to make a number of fraudulent purchases or withdrawals.”
Detectives believe there are others operating similar scams as well as further victims. Anyone who has any information, or believes they have been a victim of a taxi scam, is urged to contact police.

The public is being reminded to be vigilant when using any type of public transport that results in debit or credit card transactions.
Officers warn not to leave your debit or credit card unattended inside a Point of Sale terminal anywhere or at any time and be aware of taxi numbers and company names when using their services.

Taxi users should also remember the driver’s identification that is displayed in clear view in the rear of the cab and do not make payments for an unknown person, using your personal card, in exchange for cash.

They should also inspect their card after each transaction to ensure it is theirs and cover their fingers when entering a PIN.

Anyone with information is asked to contact police at 416-808-5200, Crime Stoppers anonymously at 416-222-TIPS (8477) or online at www.222tips.com.

 

Traffic speeding cameras being moved with two now in Mimico

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Mimico motorists be aware!

The City of Toronto is rotating its array of traffic speeding cameras and two are now installed on Mimico streets to catch lead-footed speeders.

The penny-pinching cameras were moved from other locations and are now operating on Mimico Ave., just west of Station Rd., and Stanley Ave., near Elizabeth St., according to the City’s website.

The 50 Automated Speed Enforcement (ASE) systems are being rotated to other locations this month. They were installed last July and so far almost 10,000 speeding tickets, and in excess of 9,700 fines, have been mailed to Toronto drivers.

If you haven’t seen the signage for the new speed cameras, they are coming.

The City said once the systems begin enforcing, the appropriate signs will be posted.

The systems are installed on local, collector and arterial roads in Community Safety Zones near schools. There are two systems per ward to ensure an even distribution.

The ASE systems are mobile and are rotated every three to six months in each ward, according to the City.

“This provides an opportunity to address a greater number of areas with safety concerns and provide a wider-ranging deterrent effect,” according to the site.

“Coming soon” warning signs will be posted 90 days before ticketing begins at any new ASE location and warning letters will not be issued.

The locations are selected through a data-driven approach that considers speed and collision data.

The ASE uses a camera and a speed measurement device to detect and capture images of vehicles travelling in excess of the posted speed limit. It is designed to work in tandem with other methods and strategies, including engineering measures, education initiatives and traditional police enforcement.

The images are reviewed by Provincial Offence Officers and then tickets are issued to the owner of the vehicle regardless of who was driving. Upon conviction, the only penalty is a fine – no demerit points will be issued nor will the registered owners driving record be impacted.

Since the devices began ticketing last July, the number of  tickets issued each month has decreased. In the first month, from July 6 to Aug. 5, some 22,301 tickets were mailed with 2,239 repeat offenders. In the second month, from Aug. 6 to Sept. 5, the city says 15,175 tickets were mailed out with 1,198 repeat offenders. In the third month, 9,719 fines were issued, with 604 repeat offenders.

 

The Seaway Hotel was a hit with Torontonians for 38 years on the Lake

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By DAVE KOSONIC

During it’s heyday the former Seaway Hotel at 2000 Lakeshore Blvd. W., had  gained a following due to the building’ s sleek and innovative modern design that was a hit with Toronto residents.

The Seaway designers received a prestigious award for their architectural skills during the 38 years the hotel operated on the shores of Lake Ontario.

Completed in 1954, the former Seaway Hotel was described as one of the ’first truly Modernist motor hotels in Canada.’

“Its crisp, clean lines eschewed the kitschy themes of the time and earned architects Ants Elken and R.W. Becksted a 1955 Massey Silver Medal,” according to records.

This landmark building opened in 1955 and was demolished in 1993 to make space for an on-ramp to the Gardiner Expressway East.

Sources indicate that the Seaway originated from the Sunnyside Motor Hotel, near the popular Sunnyside Amusement Park, which in its heyday was a top Toronto hotspot.

During its  era the Seaway experienced many interesting twists-and-turns. The original 1955 structure was three storeys tall and a 12-floor tower was added in 1963 that greatly increased the number of rooms.

During the post-war years the demand for motel-style accommodations steadily grew in an era of the popularity of the motorcar.

The designers stretched the Seaway horizontally so that guests could enjoy a southerly

view over Lake Ontario and enjoy the lights at night. Passersby recall that the structure was

painted white with the exception of the dark Roman red bricks at the ends of the building.

The white Seaway Hotel sign which later changed to the Seaway Towers Motor Hotel was quite visible as customers were looking for this place

The atmosphere at the Seaway was enhanced by wraparound balconies, a rooftop patio and a

swimming pool. Its restaurant, enclosed in glass as well as a lounge, and banquet hall

attracted many patrons. An elaborate green marble stairway led to a discreet bar.

The food and beverage servers at the Seaway were very classy and sophisticated and wore

finely-tailored outfits. But as the saying goes – all good things must come to an end.

Upon the Seaway demolition and the completion of the replacement Gardiner on-ramp

a new structure was constructed nearby. It is known as the Four Points By Sheraton Toronto

Lakeshore Hotel located at 1926 Lakeshore Blvd. W.

On a personal note. I took my high school sweetheart on a special date to the former

Seaway on her birthday back in the day for a fancy dinner in the dining room. Guess I was

trying to impress her. The legal age to consume alcohol then was 21 and neither of us had

reached that magic number. But the server just told us not to tell anyone and he gave us each

a nice little glass of wine.

 

 

Iconic Eighth Street Monument moved to Col. Sam Smith Park

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Just in time for Remembrance Day.

The iconic Eighth Street Cenotaph is finally being moved to its new home in Col. Samuel Smith Park a few blocks away.

The iconic Cenotaph was hooked by a crew and moved by truck on October 29 due to the construction of a condo project at the site of the former Royal Canadian Legion, Branch 3.

“I am thrilled that the Cenotaph will be place in time for Remembrance Day,’ Councillor Mark Grimes said of the long-awaited move.

It is slated to be placed in a high-profile location in the Lake Shore Blvd. W. and Kipling Ave. park.

“For decades, the Cenotaph has been located in front of the Royal Canadian Legion, which has since merged with Branch 643, on Jutland Rd. There was no space for the monument there.

Eighth Street has been a place of gathering for those looking to remember the brave men and

women who gave the ultimate sacrifice in World War I, World War II and the Korean War,” according to a City Council Motion Without Notice.

For three-plus decades, veterans, legionnaires and members of the public have gathered annually at the large cenotaph to remember Canadians fallen in war on the Sunday before Remembrance Day, and on Nov. 11.

“The years go by, and the memories of the devastating consequences of these wars drifts further

away from our minds.” according to the motion. “The Cenotaph serves as an important reminder of the tragedies of war and provides our community with an important source of reflection.”

“There is significant concern over the possibility of the Cenotaph being damaged before it can

be relocated,” according to the City. “The Cenotaph is of heritage value and needs to be protected.”

The developer has agreed to move the 7.5-metre solid granite monument before they begin building.

A mid-rise condominium development is underway that calls for the construction of about 90 condominium units on the site and a small extension of the adjacent park.

The massive monument, donated by the community, has stood in remembrance of lives lost in front of the former Legion Hall since 1983.

City Council has directed Heritage Preservation Services staff to evaluate the property at 150 Eighth Street for any potential heritage significance. Heritage Preservation Services staff are currently evaluating the property.

 

Local musician Roger Zuraw strikes a chord for the Veterans

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As we remember our veterans, local musician Roger Zuraw is reminding the community about an award-winning song he has written called “Remembrance Day (From the Lakeshore).”

Zuraw says he wrote the tune in a contest featuring Lakeshore artists some years ago.

“About 20,000 contestants from all over the world submitted their songs to this competition and my tune came out with an Honourable Mention credit,” he recalls.

He was inspired by a photograph of Vimy Ridge Parkette, at 2456 Lake Shore Blvd. W., and visited the parkette to obtain a ‘personal contact and feel of this spot.’

Zuraw says his song is about a “World War II Veteran from this area who contributed in the freeing of Holland from the Nazis, coming back to Canada with his English war-bride, raising a family and eventually becoming a president of Legion 101.”

This song appears on Roger Zuraw’s CD called “Remembering The Lakeshore,” which you can listen and download for a small fee from Amazon Music and Apple Music.

The musicians on the song includes; Dougal Bichan on the bagpipes, Alex Radeff on electric guitar, bass and keyboards and Zuraw on acoustic guitar and vocals.

Zuraw has been playing gigs in area bars for more than 20-years and claims to have played in every live music tavern in Mimico, New Toronto and Long Branch back in the day.