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Riverdale

The Star with an article on Wong's Ice Cream along Gerrard/East Chinatown, which closed towards the end of December 2021:

www.thestar.com

Wong’s Ice Cream changed Toronto’s frozen dessert scene for the better. Now, it’s bidding the city farewell

As his lease comes to an end, Ed Wong has decided it’s time to close up shop. “If I was in my 30s, I’d keep going. But I miss the hospitality.”
www.thestar.com www.thestar.com

During the pandemic, Wong kept fusing East Asian and Southeast Asian flavours into ice cream, and his fervent base of supporters kept him busy. But as his lease comes to an end, Wong has decided it’s time to close up shop permanently.

“If I was in my 30s, I’d keep going. But I miss the hospitality, it’s not the same,” said Wong.

Wong’s influence is palpable. It wasn’t long ago when flavours like ‘ube’ or ‘Vietnamese iced coffee’ were not common. Maybe in Richmond Hill or Markham as a weekly special, but certainly not within city limits. Wong changed all that.

After collaborating on an ice cream stand at the Hamilton Farmers’ Market, he decided to open a shop.

“I come from a family of restaurant owners. My dad owned and worked in restaurants for many years in Scarborough. I never wanted to follow that. I was a designer in my previous life,” said Wong.

“East Chinatown is a bit of a relic, but when I opened in 2017, things were happening,” said Wong. The same year, a boutique chocolate shop opened down the street, a Texas barbecue restaurant, a wine bar, a cheese shop.

That movement has continued as more new wave food places have continued to open on Gerrard Street. The rest of the city also started to follow Wong’s philosophy with ice cream.

“Since the beginning I have just made flavours that I personally like. Flavours that you don’t ever see at most ice cream shops,” said Wong. For one of his first and most popular flavours, Wong used the iconic White Rabbit candy, mixed with vanilla. It was so popular, ice cream shops in Los Angeles adopted the idea. “I’m happy if that is my legacy.”

We are spoiled now as dozens of ice cream shops across the city follow in Wong’s foot steps. Ice cream flavoured like Hong Kong milk tea or mango sticky rice is becoming more common.

“I’ve listened to many stories over the past few weeks about how people have felt seen by these flavours, that it has made them appreciate their own culture in a way,” said Wong.
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BlogTO also with a piece:

www.blogto.com

People in Toronto still lined up for blocks in the winter cold to get ice cream

Toronto loves to squeeze every last second out of patio season, braving chilly conditions in early spring and late fall, but lining up (a local tradi…
www.blogto.com www.blogto.com
 
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The old Tim Hortons @ 481 Danforth @ Logan is being gutted, there is a City of Toronto building permit to convert it to a Rehab Clinic. El Charo Mexican Restaurant is moving from Broadview Ave into the old Brass Taps @ 493 Danforth next month and the old Relish Resto-Bar @ 511 Danforth is being converted to a Dental Clinic.
 
Toronto Rocks said:
The old Tim Hortons @ 481 Danforth @ Logan is being gutted, there is a City of Toronto building permit to convert it to a Rehab Clinic. El Charo Mexican Restaurant is moving from Broadview Ave into the old Brass Taps @ 493 Danforth next month and the old Relish Resto-Bar @ 511 Danforth is being converted to a Dental Clinic.
Click to expand...

Poor Relish. They did really well closer to my neck-of-the-woods, east of Woodbine............then moved to take advantage of that success......then the pandemic hit.
 
Plan for an additional floor above the building where Greenwood Smokehouse is located, along Danforth just east of Pape:

Development Applications

City Planning COA Application Information Center
app.toronto.ca


673 DANFORTH AVE
Ward 14: Toronto-Danforth

To alter the existing two-storey mixed-use building by constructing: a rear second-storey addition; a new third-storey addition; a new front and rear rooftop patio; and new rear stairs leading to the second and third levels. The additions will provide a total of four one-bedroom dwelling units. Furthermore, there will be zero parking spaces and zero bicycle parking.


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Live music venue, Hugh's Room, are planning to make a comeback and open at 296 Broadview Ave (one block south of Gerrard East). They were previously located in the Dundas West/Roncy area for nearly 20 years but closed in 2020:

streetsoftoronto.com

Live music venue Hugh's Room set for comeback after securing new location

Hugh's Room Live has reached an agreement with Marina Stefanovic to acquire a heritage church building designed by E.J. Lennox
streetsoftoronto.com streetsoftoronto.com


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A dumpster in front of 722 Gerrard St East, which is on the north side of the street and a bit west of Howland Rd, on the eastern edge of the East Chinatown core.

The property looks to be in need of some TLC for a while now


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AlbertC said:
A dumpster in front of 722 Gerrard St East, which is on the north side of the street and a bit west of Howland Rd, on the eastern edge of the East Chinatown core.

The property looks to be in need of some TLC for a while now


View attachment 395996View attachment 395997
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No permits pulled at this address

****

JasonParis said:
MiMi's pho is moving next door. Apparently, their owner refused to renovate anything so they have now rented the house next door instead. I think they've been at their current location for 28 years.
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1651020886826.png


But permits were pulled at this one!
 
MikeMacNcheese said:
Few tidbits:
- Former New York Cafe and sort-of Big Munch Grill (check their Google reviews, eeks) now has a sign up for the "New Yorker". Also some real estate listings are up for the restaurant so... *shrugs*
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Snazzy new sign for "The Broadview Diner (est. 2022)" is now up at this location (Broadview/Danforth SE corner).
 
MikeMacNcheese said:
Snazzy new sign for "The Broadview Diner (est. 2022)" is now up at this location (Broadview/Danforth SE corner).
Click to expand...
I peeked in the window and the walls look similar to The Donlands Diner with images of Hollywood stars from the golden era. I wonder if the diner on Donlands is moving there or did the owner purchase a second location...
 
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