North Toronto Daily Updates: 2022
The latest news, views and things to do in North Toronto neighbourhoods
This salon has moved but still loves your curly hair
Crown N Glory Natural Hair Studio opened in a new location at 32 Berwick Ave., second floor, south of Yonge Street and Eglinton Avenue, earlier this year after being forced from its former place in the neighbourhood by condo construction.
The black-owned salon is staying in Midtown because there are so many curly-haired people in the neighbourhood, owner Aisha Loobie says. And this place loves curly hair.
Read the full, bushy-haired Streeter story about Crown N Glory.
Popular 10-kilometre run returns
Entertainment company moving to North Toronto
Abby Tobias is moving his company Sole Power Entertainment from its headquarters on Sunrise Boulevard in the east end to new, three-storey digs on Yonge Street in North Toronto.
The move comes as the company which represents more than 250 deejays, dancers, emcees, musicians and bands emerges from a trying period during the pandemic, Tobias says. See the story.
Circle of friends hold vigil for gunshot victim
Ikechidiadi (Ike) Kaja, who was shot and left for dead in Chaplin Estates on Jan. 23, was remembered warmly at a vigil yesterday evening.
The 49-year-old financial analyst was honoured outside his Avenue Road home in a ceremony shared with his family in Nigeria.
About 50 people attended the event to hear Kaja referred to as an energetic, smiling, positive personality with a large circle of friends, many of whom were at the vigil.
Kaja leaves behind a four-year-old son.
Toronto police have not released any more information about the shooting but say the investigation is continuing.
A taste of Russia in midtown
SAVA Crepes and Coffee, a café that serves sweet and savoury crepes — known as blinis in Russian — opened Nov. 20, 2021 at 2674 Yonge St. — and closed for indoor dining again just over a month later.
But getting caught at the height of COVID restrictions did not deter owner Sofia Reshetnikova, who took the opportunity to redecorate the café and creating a homey atmosphere in Yonge-Eglinton. See the full story.
Death called a homicide
The man found lying on the ground in the Chaplin Estates area on Jan. 23 has died from his injuries, police report.
Police have identified the deceased and launched a homicide investigation. Here’s what we know so far.
Man found on ground apparently shot
Late last evening, police reported finding a man lying on the ground in the Chaplin Estates area with life-threatening injuries.
Officers had been called to the area of Avenue Road and College View Avenue for “unknown trouble” shortly after 11 p.m., according to Twitter posts.
The man’s injuries appeared to be from gunshots and he was rushed to hospital, police said.
Investigators are examining the area and asking for anyone with information to call 416-808-2222.
Would-be puppy sale ended with assault and robbery
A man, 41, was pistol-whipped and robbed after refusing to buy a Pocket Bully puppy yesterday evening near Bayview Avenue and Blythwood Road, police say.
He met two sellers after responding to a Kijiji ad but when he decided not to buy the pup, the two men allegedly assaulted him and took his cash. Here’s the story and images released by police.
Even the bees and the butterflies hurt by COVID restrictions
Toronto’s BIAs have fallen behind in creating pollinator gardens on our main streets as small businesses have been preoccupied with staying afloat during the COVID-19 pandemic over the past couple of years.
The program is expected to languish as long as the pandemic lasts, unless the city kickstarts it. See the full story.
Entertainment venues closed
Entertainment facilities, like the Cineplex Cinemas at the Yonge Eglinton Centre and the Regent-Mount Pleasant movie theatres on Mt. Pleasant Road, are closed as of today as the province moves into Step Two of its “reopening” plan, the government has announced.
Venues listed as being shut down by the recent rapid increase of hospitalizations due to COVID-19 include concert halls, theatres, cinemas, museums, galleries, zoos, science centres, landmarks, historic sites, botanical gardens and amusement parks.
Library branches to close temporarily
Locke Library at Yonge Street and Lawrence Avenue is among the public libraries to shut down as of Monday. The Toronto Public Library has announced nearly half of its branches are closing temporarily due to staffing shortages during the COVID pandemic.
Others — including the North Toronto branches of Northern District, Deer Park and Mount Pleasant — will remain open with 50-percent capacity limits. See the full story.
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