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QW Blog

Welcome to Winter TO

10/6/2022

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There are many things to do in Toronto in winter. From outdoor activities to exploring the city, there are plenty of ways to have fun, stay active, and stay safe in the colder months:

  • Explore the city’s skating, tobogganing, snowshoeing, Dog Off Lease Areas, firepits, parks, and more - www.toronto.ca/explore-enjoy/festivals-events/welcome-to-winter
  • Enjoy Winter pathways. In Queen West, the City maintains Grange Park (Dundas St W & Beverley St) including the Dog Off Leash Area and pathways - see other Winter Maintained Pathways at https://www.toronto.ca/data/parks/maps/index.html#PARKPATH
  • Check out the PlowTO Map and follow @TO_WinterOps to get the latest on conditions on city roads and sidewalks
  • Find out your responsibility as a citizen or business owner to clear sidewalks near your home or business, and access clearing services for seniors -https://www.toronto.ca/services-payments/streets-parking-transportation/road-maintenance/winter-maintenance/clearing-snow-and-ice-from-your-property/ 
  • Check out the City of Toronto’s Winter Safety Tips webpage: https://www.toronto.ca/services-payments/streets-parking-transportation/road-maintenance/winter-maintenance/winter-safety-tips/
Do you have questions? When in doubt, call 311 (or email at 311@toronto.ca) ​
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Short Term Contract Job Posting: Part-Time Event Specialist

5/4/2022

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 Reports to: BIA Manager, Events Committee + Subcommitee Representatives
Start Date: mid to late May until
End Date: approximately early to mid November 
Salary: $25-30 / hr consummate with experience 
Average # of Hours Per Week: 5-15 hours


About Us:
The Queen Street West Business Improvement Area (BIA) is one of 85 BIAs in the City of Toronto and represents over 300 businesses and property owners along Queen Street West, from Bathurst St to Simcoe St. The BIA works to promote economic development in the area, with initiatives that include improving public spaces, beautifying the streetscape, coordinating events, and marketing the area and our members. 

Position Overview:
The Queen Street West  BIA is looking for an Event Specialist  to carry out operational management of our events which include Queen West Stages, as well as coordinating on-going and event-specific marketing strategies with the BIA Manager and Events & Marketing committee. 

Responsibilities:
  • Operational management of our events, including set up and tear down on the day of the event 
  • Act as primary onsite contact for performers, third-party vendors, and member businesses
  • Work with member businesses to get them involved and engaged in our events, as well as learning about and cross-promoting their events in the days/weeks leading up to the event date
  • Recruit, organize and manage event volunteers as needed
  • Liasion with the vendors or artists leading up to the days of the event 
  • Coordinate and submit social media postings to improve awareness of our member's events, and fostering a positive perception of the Queen Street West BIA to the BIA Manager
  • Provide updated website event calendar and business directory content to the BIA Manager 
Requirements:
  • Have excellent organizational, time management, and multi-tasking capabilities
  • Have excellent oral and written communication skills
  • Previous experience managing and organizing a variety of projects and events 
  • Reputation as energetic, outgoing, motivated, easy to work with, can adapt to ever-changing situations on the day-of the event(s)
  • Committed to providing superior client service and community relationship 
    development
  • Physical ability to move and lift a variety of event supplies, signage, and tents
  • Must have a working cell-phone and access to a computer for email and communication 
**Dates of events are still in-flux and there must be flexibility with majority of the events taking place on weekends

Please submit resume with cover letter and 3 references to queenstreetto@gmail.com with the subject line "Application for Community Liaison Consultant"

​


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Contract Job Posting: Part-Time Community Liaison Consultant

4/22/2022

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Reports to: BIA Manager and BIA Chair & Executive Committee
Start Date: Mid to late May, 2022 (or when a suitable candidate is found)
End Date: December 31st, 2022 
Number of Hours Per Week: 5-15 
Salary: $35-40 per hour (commensurate with experience)

About Us:
The Queen Street West Business Improvement Area (BIA) is one of 85 BIAs in the City of Toronto and represents over 300 businesses and property owners along Queen Street West, from Bathurst St to Simcoe St. The BIA works to promote economic development in the area, with initiatives that include improving public spaces, beautifying the streetscape, coordinating events, and marketing the area and our members. We also work with key City of Toronto stakeholders, social service agencies, Toronto Police to ensure a safe community for all to thrive in. 

Position Overview:
The Queen Street West  BIA is looking for a Community Liaison to assist the Board and it’s Member Businesses to respectfully and appropriately respond to various challenging issues within the community, especially when they directly impact their business. Our neighbourhood attracts many people from many different cultural and socio-economic backgrounds. Our community is not immune to many of the city-wide issues such as homelessness, opioid crisis, gun violence, etc. 

Responsibilities:
  • Gathering and sharing information both on the ground and from policy or program updates 
    • Businesses
    • Individuals
    • Toronto Police Services
    • Applicable social service agencies or other identified stakeholders
  • Fostering an environment that encourages and supports community involvement and engagement with our member business 
  • Providing guidance, suggestions to businesses, the BIA and other stakeholders with appropriate and acceptable responses or reactions 
  • Provide individual or small group training sessions on-site with a business or stakeholder
  • Giving presentations to community organizations as required
  • Hosting or attending community meetings, allowing attendees to express concerns and raise issues.
​Requirements:
  • Previous experience managing and organizing a variety of projects and challenges simultaneously
  • Strong organizational and communication skills
  • Semi-flexible schedule which may include occasional evening or weekend time. (to be agreed upon with the individual based upon the needs of the BIA). 
  • Experience in de-escalation with individuals who may be agitated or upset 
  • Experience in teaching and assisting community members in appropriately responding to different types of scenarios
  • Expert knowledge in the City of Toronto’s and Province of Ontario’s social services and appropriate departments
  • Committed to providing superior customer service and community relationship 
  • Development while representing the Queen Street West BIA
  • Practical level training from relevant professional organizations
  • Must have a working cell-phone and access to a computer for email and communication 

​Please submit resume with cover letter and 3 references to queenstreetto@gmail.com with the subject line "Application for Community Liaison Consultant".
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Follow Up Letter to Provincial Leaders for More Support - April 23rd

4/24/2021

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Emailed to:
Premier Doug Ford premier@ontario.ca  
MPP Hon. Prabmeet Singh Sarkaria (Brampton South) prabmeet.sarkaria@pc.ola.org 
Associate Minister of Small Business and Red Tape Reduction
MPP Vic Fedeli (Nipissing) vic.fedelico@pc.ola.org 
Minister of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade Chair of CabinetMPP Lisa Thompson (Huron-Bruce) lisa.thompson@pc.ola.org 
Minister of Government and Consumer Services
MPP Chris Glover (Spadina-Fort York) CGlover-CO@ndp.on.ca 
MPP Marit Stiles (Davenport) MStiles-QP@ndp.on.ca 
MPP Peter Tabuns (Toronto-Danforth) tabunsp-co@ndp.on.ca  
MPP Jessica Bell (University-Rosedale) jbell-CO@ndp.on.ca 
MPP Catherine Fife (Waterloo) CFife-QP@ndp.on.ca 

April 23, 2021
To our provincial leaders,
Follow up Re: Urgent Ask for Additional Supports and Clarity for Main Street Businesses
The Riverside District, Queen Street West, Bloorcourt, Leslieville and West Queen West BIAs are five of Toronto’s 80+ BIAs. We collectively represent approximately 1300 small and medium sized businesses and property owners. The views expressed in this letter come from our direct consultations with our members.
We are following up on our letter from April 9th (copy attached) where we requested:
  • Clear lines of communication 
  • More sustained financial support for Toronto area businesses who have been on the longest lockdown in North America - with geographic considerations toward fixed costs
  • Scientific and evidence-based decision-making for policies and regulations

We have not had an official response from the Premier nor Ministers that this letter was originally addressed to. We want to reiterate the continued need for support and with special emphasis on: 

  • Immediately and permanently ceasing the 6% markup that restaurants pay for alcohol from the LCBO. 

Hospitality businesses are one of the most impacted business segments during this pandemic and we are facing a volume of such drastic business closures, we are risking losing the culinary culture and identity of entire cities due to lack of support for this industry. 

We would also urgently request a liaison from the Province to listen to the hardest hit business segments in Toronto which have been under the longest lockdown in North America, such as hospitality, fitness and wellness, and beauty industries.
Here are some messages directly from a cross-section of affected businesses:
“My wife and I have been working 12-14 hour days since the onset pandemic just to keep our business afloat. Allowing favourable pricing for licensees would be a welcome lifeline, helping us wean off subsidies while joining the ranks of rest of the world where bulk purchasers find economic viability.”  -Shamez Amlani, Owner & Operator of La Palette Restaurant @ 492 Queen St West, Toronto
“Our family owned and run business has been on Queen Street East since 2013. Running a local restaurant during a global pandemic has reinforced just how much the local community really wanted us to be here. Locals have sent flowers and their children’s drawings to thank the restaurant for staying open during such a challenging time. During tough times, it really gives you the courage to keep on going. But our business is suffering major losses with every week that passes and we can’t keep our doors opened without stronger government support. Ceasing  the 6% markup would be a most welcome step.” -Diana Sideris, Owner & Operator of Tabule Middle Eastern Cuisine @ 810 Queen St East, Toronto

“We were caught in the storm of COVID two months after opening and all our original hires left. But I decided that we would not shut down…not even for a day. I kept the doors open through deliveries and takeouts. However, we can’t sustain this business model, we need more hospitality support now to survive to make it through to the return of outdoor and indoor dining.” -Rohit Wadhawan, Owner & Operator of Indian Spice Room @ 717 Queen St East, Toronto

“We are a yoga studio since 2014 in the neighbourhood. We’ve qualified for all the government support available, it’s good, but to be completely honest, it's not enough. There is a lot of red tape around it, and you have to wait quite a while to receive a lot of the funding. Any money that I have received goes right into paying bills. We are pulling out all the stops with live-stream classes, online merchandise and marketing, but with our in-class business shut down the majority of the past year, it is a dire situation and unsustainable at current levels of support.” -Rachelle Wintzen, Owner & Founder of Chi Junky Yoga & Wellness Studio @ 70 McGee Street, Toronto
“As the mother and wife of high-risk people, I understand and support all public health measures to reduce the spread of COVID 19 that are backed by scientific evidence. As a spa owner who has not been able to operate since November 23rd, 2020, I am also feeling the devastating impact of these closures on my business, my personal financial health, and the mental health and well-being of myself, my team, and my clients. The toll a year’s worth of half-measures and last-minute decisions has taken on small business owners in Bloorcourt (and across Ontario) is immeasurable and we simply cannot continue on this path.” -Michelle Palmer, Owner & Founder of Pause Beauty @ 993 Bloor St West, Toronto
Once again, while we recognize that efforts have been made to support our businesses during the ongoing pandemic, not enough has been done. Due to the financial devastation that has been produced by the actions provincial government measures have been enacted to date, some businesses are taking risks under the strain they are experiencing. The only way to navigate past this reality is to directly address their concerns transparently on a financial, mental and emotional level.
The measures we have outlined are what business leaders need to see now to prevent decimation of our main streets.
On behalf all of the BIAs mentioned above,
Jennifer Lay                                                    Meg Marshall
Executive Director                                        Manager          
Riverside BIA                                                  Bloorcourt & Queen Street West BIAs

​c.c. 
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau justin.trudeau@parl.gc.ca 
Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland (University-Rosedale) Chrystia.Freeland@parl.gc.ca 
MP Mary Ng (Markham-Thornhill) Mary.Ng@international.gc.ca 
MP Julie Dabrusin (Toronto-Danforth) Julie.Dabrusin@parl.gc.ca   
MP Julie Dzerowicz (Davenport) Julie.Dzerowicz@parl.gc.ca 
Mayor John Tory (City of Toronto) mayor_tory@toronto.ca  
Councillor Paula Fletcher (Toronto-Danforth) councillor_fletcher@toronto.ca 
Councillor Kristyn Wong-Tam (Toronto Centre) councillor_wongtam@toronto
Councillor Ana Bailao (Davenport) Councillor_Bailao@toronto.ca 
Councillor Mike Layton (University-Rosedale) councillor_layton@toronto.ca 
Councillor Joe Cressy (Spadina-Fort York) councillor_cressy@toronto.ca 
Councillor Brad Bradford (Beaches East-York) councillour_bradford@toronto.ca
John Kiru - Toronto BIA Association jkiru@toronto-bia.com  
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BIA Letter Re: Urgent Ask for Additional Supports and Clarity for Main Street Businesses

4/9/2021

1 Comment

 
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Emailed to:
Premier Doug Ford premier@ontario.ca  
MPP Hon. Prabmeet Singh Sarkaria (Brampton South) prabmeet.sarkaria@pc.ola.org 
Associate Minister of Small Business and Red Tape Reduction
MPP Vic Fedeli (Nipissing) vic.fedelico@pc.ola.org 
Minister of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade Chair of CabinetMPP Lisa Thompson (Huron-Bruce) lisa.thompson@pc.ola.org 
Minister of Government and Consumer Services
MPP Chris Glover (Spadina-Fort York) CGlover-CO@ndp.on.ca 
MPP Marit Stiles (Davenport) MStiles-QP@ndp.on.ca 
MPP Peter Tabuns (Toronto-Danforth) tabunsp-co@ndp.on.ca  
MPP Jessica Bell (University-Rosedale) jbell-CO@ndp.on.ca 
MPP Catherine Fife (Waterloo) CFife-QP@ndp.on.ca 

April 9, 2021
To our provincial leaders,

Re: Urgent Ask for Additional Supports and Clarity for Main Street Businesses
The Riverside District, Queen Street West, Bloorcourt, Leslieville and West Queen West BIAs are five of Toronto’s 80+ BIAs. We collectively represent approximately 1300 small and medium sized businesses and property owners. The views expressed in this letter come from our direct consultations with our members.
While we recognize that efforts have been made to support our businesses during the ongoing pandemic, not enough has been done. Our members are looking for outcomes including more financial support for Toronto-based businesses, policy that is driven by transparent statistics, and clear lines of communication.
In summary, what is needed:
  • More sustained financial support for Toronto area businesses who have been on the longest lockdown in North America - with geographic considerations toward fixed costs: 
    • Remuneration for sectors that were publicly informed of reopening timeframes and then ordered to abandon reopening plans (including but not limited to health, fitness, beauty, wellness, retail, restaurants, and hospitality)
    • Introducing a sector-specific program for covering reopening and closure costs, such as wasted inventory, staffing costs, etc.  
    • Inclusive financial support programs that ensure all types of businesses in need are able to participate (i.e. new businesses that have opened during the pandemic, single person businesses).
    • Immediately and permanently cease the 6% markup that restaurants pay for alcohol from the LCBO. 

  • Scientific and evidence-based decision-making for policies and regulations: 
    • Transparency is needed with credible facts and sources to identify the reasoning for strong and major business closure actions taken by the provincial government
    • A clear path is needed now for how businesses can plan for re-opening for the remainder of 2021, following the current stay-at-home/ lockdown order, aligned with statistics, clearly associated KPIs (e.g. based on case counts, vaccination rates)

  • Clear lines of communication 
    • Outline a clear plan for how lockdown measures will be eased to avoid any further unnecessary costs for reopening and closing of businesses. News releases must immediately come with updated detailed regulations and orders.
    • Create a reasonable and clear set of rules for vaccinated people to remove uncertainty for our public-facing main street businesses

Due to the financial devastation that has been produced by the actions provincial government measures have been enacted to date, some businesses are taking risks under the strain they are experiencing. The only way to navigate past this reality is to directly address their concerns transparently on a financial, mental and emotional level.

We are already losing the character of our neighbourhoods and the social and economic diversity in all sectors of industry. The measures we have outlined are what business leaders need to see now to prevent decimation of our main streets.
On behalf all of the BIAs mentioned above,
 
Jennifer Lay                                                    Meg Marshall
Executive Director                                        Manager          
Riverside BIA                                                  Bloorcourt & Queen Street West BIAs

​c.c. 

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau justin.trudeau@parl.gc.ca 
Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland (University-Rosedale) Chrystia.Freeland@parl.gc.ca 
MP Mary Ng (Markham-Thornhill) Mary.Ng@international.gc.ca 
MP Julie Dabrusin (Toronto-Danforth) Julie.Dabrusin@parl.gc.ca   
MP Julie Dzerowicz (Davenport) Julie.Dzerowicz@parl.gc.ca 
Mayor John Tory (City of Toronto) mayor_tory@toronto.ca  
Councillor Paula Fletcher (Toronto-Danforth) councillor_fletcher@toronto.ca 
Councillor Kristyn Wong-Tam (Toronto Centre) councillor_wongtam@toronto
Councillor Ana Bailao (Davenport) Councillor_Bailao@toronto.ca 
Councillor Mike Layton (University-Rosedale) councillor_layton@toronto.ca 
Councillor Joe Cressy (Spadina-Fort York) councillor_cressy@toronto.ca 
Councillor Brad Bradford (Beaches East-York) councillour_bradford@toronto.ca
John Kiru - Toronto BIA Association jkiru@toronto-bia.com  


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Queen West Inspiration Through the Lens of a Photographer

10/24/2020

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Toronto is a very photogenic city. We have one of the best skylines in the world. With that said, there are some sections of the city that have amazing character - Queen Street West is certainly one of them. My name is Richie (@rich3dee) and am a Toronto based portrait and street-style photographer, sharing what inspires me for photo shoots and capturing moments along Queen Street West.

Favourite Places To Shoot On Queen West

Graffiti Alley
Everyone’s favourite spot, or perhaps the most notable spot is Graffiti Alley. Its the longest stretch of alleyway in the city where you can see street art from some of the city’s most talented artists. My very first portrait session was shot in Graffiti Alley in 2016 because like everyone else, I wanted to take pictures in a cool urban scape with character. I mean, where else can you find a random couch and step stool to use as a prop for a shoot?

More recently, Graffiti Alley has been utilized by artists to address social issues such as Black Lives Matter with an initiative called “Paint the City Black”. During the height of the social injustice that occurred at the beginning of the summer, many artists showed their solidarity through art.
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Osgoode Station
This is such a cool spot for street photography as you can capture a lot of people on the go as they are rushing out of the station to catch the street car or running into the station to catch the next train.
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Queen and Spadina
Such a busy intersection with a mix of old and new Toronto, coupled with heavy pedestrian and vehicle traffic, Queen and Spadina is a street photographers dream (beware to not get caught on the street car tracks!). The south-west corner of the intersection also offers a nice unobstructed view of the CN Tower.
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With street photography in Toronto, I look at it as an opportunity to capture the character, beauty and charm that makes the city such a unique and diverse place. I absolutely love shooting our street cars, our historic buildings and people in motion. We have some of the most photogenic street cars in the world, the bright red rocket that you can see coming from a mile away. Queen Street West definitely offers some unique views of our space needle aka CN Tower. One thing is for sure, the people in the streets of Toronto are always hustling, always on the go which always makes for amazing actions shots during a leisurely stroll of Queen West.
Tips for Shooting on Queen West
  • shoot with a friend - never know when you may need someone to watch your back when you’re shooting and drifting into traffic; also your friend can double as a subject/model :)
  • Shoot during the day if you want capture people in motion (more natural light allows for a faster shutter speed) but also come back at night - the lit up store fronts look very dynamic against a night sky
  • personally, I prefer to shoot during overcast and even rainy days as the pictures tend to be moodier without much additional editing required.
  • if you’re shooting portraits and you need some accessories, clothing or props, be sure to support some local shops such as Get Fresh Clothing, Vitaly, and Get Outside. 
  • do not limit yourself, be diverse, be confined by nothing. “You miss 100% of shots you dont take” Set your lens on doing some street photography, portraits and even some product photography.
Photography and Writing by Richie Dos Santos
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CopyRight 2023

Land Acknowledgement 
The City of Toronto acknowledges that what we now call Toronto is on the traditional territory of many nations including the Mississaugas of the Credit, the Anishnabeg, the Chippewa, the Haudenosaunee and the Wendat peoples and is now home to many diverse First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples. The City also acknowledges that Toronto is covered by Treaty 13 signed with the Mississaugas of the Credit, and the Williams Treaties signed with multiple Mississaugas and Chippewa bands.
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  • Home
  • About
    • Queen West Parkettes
    • Microgrant Program
    • BIA Streetscape Improvements
    • Construction Updates
    • Queen Street Virtual Tours
    • Queen West Resiliency Garden & Recipe Kits >
      • 416 Snack Bar Recipe
      • Basil Box
      • Buono
      • HotBlack Coffee
      • La Palette
      • Maiz
      • Mi Taco Taqueria
      • MyRoti Place
      • Parka
      • Saffron Spice House
    • Past Events
    • Facade Improvement Program
    • Potluc Study
  • Business Directory
    • Arts & Entertainment Businesses
    • Cafes & Bakeries
    • Fashion & Accessories
    • Financial Services
    • Healthcare & Wellness
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