Dundas West is known as an exciting strip for all things shopping, beauty, food, and nightlife. One of the best parts for us locals is that this strip isn’t a tourist trap like other spots in the downtown core. And just because it’s getting colder outside, it doesn’t mean that you can’t go exploring around a new-to-you part of town. Whether you’re looking for a new nail salon, unique gifts, a cocktail, and anything in between, odds are you can find it all on Dundas West.
Keep reading for our top 10 spots on Dundas West worth checking out even in the winter!
Tips Nail Bar
If you’re needing some TLC, make sure you step into Tips Nail Bar on Dundas near Ossington. Known as one of Toronto’s premier nail bars, Tips not only offers super fun nail art done by its many talented nail techs, but it also takes nail health super seriously. Not in the mood for a mani? You can also get facials, waxing, lash lifts, tints, and more done here, too.
La Palma
There’s a reason why La Palma is one of Toronto’s top restaurants. Between the gorgeous decor and good vibes is the stellar food. The open concept and airy, lounge-like space offers Italian inspired cuisine, creative cocktails, and an awesome retractable window that opens in the summer months. Some of our favourite items on the menu include the lobster rolls and the 100 hundred layer lasagna.
Ziba Style Bar
Hair, lashes, brows, and makeup, Ziba Style Bar offers it all. This innovative salon is equipped to bang out the best hair and beauty services for every hair and skin type. Ziba focuses on an experience that takes care of every woman’s beauty needs, so that they’ll leave feeling confident, empowered, and represented. In addition to the incredibly stylish space, great music, and friendly staff, you can even score complimentary rosé!
Armed
Jewellery shop Armed is by far one of our favourite spots to purchase locally designed jewelry in the city. Each unique piece available is intended to be worn in everyday life, all while making a serious fashion statement through stacking and layering rings, bracelets, and necklaces.
Agaboshi
If you want to style your baby or toddler in simple designs made from high quality materials, Agaboshi is the place to shop. Each item is carefully curated by a Toronto mom who keeps in mind what mom’s need and want are for their little babes. The store has recently branched out into homeware and bedding, while still focusing on simplicity at its core.
Easy Tiger Goods
Looking for unique knick-nacks or fun holiday gifts? Take a peek inside Easy Tiger Goods that’s situated on Dundas near Gladstone. This lifestyle store supplies folks with an expertly curated selection of home décor items, paper goods, leather goods, unisex accessories, and jewelry.
Mahjong Bar
Known as a hideaway on Dundas West, Mahjong Bar is located behind a pink bodega and is a gorgeous 2,000 square foot space. A huge highlight of this spot is the 36-foot custom mural painted by a local Toronto artist named Gabriella Lo. In addition to its great cocktails, Mahjong also has a comprehensive menu of Chinese small plates like steamed buns, wontons, spring rolls, fried rice, and more!
A-game Café
Head to A-Game Cafe for limitless stay-and-play for just $8 bucks per person. In addition to all sorts of fun games, you can also get your hands on some quality food here too. Choose from an assortment of sandwiches, burgers, nachos, and more. Open until 2 a.m. on Friday and Saturday, this is a great spot to hang out, play games, and enjoy coffee, beer, and cider.
#Hashtag Gallery
This is one of Toronto’s most special spots, with a focus on showcasing incredible Canadian talent. The goal of #Hashtag Gallery is to provide a space where the online art community can go to actually show and see art in real life.
The Dog Bowl
The Dog Bowl is perhaps the best spot to shop for your pup in Toronto. The store curates each and every product in-store by personally using for their own pets. The folks here select only the best items so that pet owners can shop with confidence and know that any item for sale has been both pet and owner approved.
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A couple of years ago, I attended an event that my friend was hosting and she let me take home the centrepieces. One was an Ivy, and another was a Wandering Wanda, and that started my passion for having plants in my home. Not too long after that, I began to add more and more plants to my collection and while I love plants, I need them to be fairly low maintenance. Between work, life, a dog, a fiance, friends, and more, my plants don’t get the same love that they did when I first started my collection. I’ve spent a lot of time going to different plant stores around Toronto to scope out the best deals, the best selection, and the best in low maintenance plants.
Here are 6 stores in Toronto that sell great low maintenance plants!
Home Depot Stockyards
Instagram/@amandalynnhatch
One year for my birthday, my partner took me to Home Depot to buy me a gift and at first I was very confused as I had no idea what he was planning as we walked into the store. “Pick any plant,” he said. He may as well have gotten down on one knee and proposed right there. Home Depot Stockyards has one of the best selections of plants in Toronto. At any time of the year, you can find a variety of tropical plants for indoors, or an ever expanding garden centre for your outdoor needs. One of my favourite plants to get at Home Depot is a Monstera. This plant is relatively low maintenance, as they’ll survive many environments, but they truly thrive with lots of sun and water.
Sheridan Nurseries
Instagram/@sheridannurseries
I paid a visit to Sheridan Nurseries a while back to find the perfect large plant for my home. As it turned out, the plant I chose was toxic to animals and I had to return it for something non-toxic as I was getting a new pet. Sheridan’s return policy is amazing, and their staff is super kind. There are a few locations throughout the GTA, including Etobicoke, North York, and Scarborough. I got myself a Dracaena which I love because it can tolerate a lot as I’ve moved a lot over the last three years, and this baby has adjusted well to every climate. Now that’s a plant I can handle!
Shaw Flowers & Gifts
Instagram/@mirib1808
Anytime I’m in the area I make a point of stopping by Shaw Flowers And Gifts along Dundas West by Trinity Bellwoods. Being close to a popular tourist destination, this shop could charge an arm and a leg for its wide selection of plants, but overall it’s actually quite reasonable. Here you can find a selection of unique and rare plants, but also beautiful handmade pots and fun accessories. You never know what will spark your interest here! This is a great place to grab yourself a unique succulent, but don’t be fooled! While succulents can be great low maintenance plants, make sure don’t over water your new plant baby.
Mika
Instagram/@studiomikafleur
I say this almost jokingly, but it’s true, you can score big on all sorts of plants if you just take a walk down Dundas West. Further along past Shaw Flowers & Gifts just past Dufferin, you’ll find a variety of corner stores, coffee shops, and plant stores selling beautiful options for your home. In particular, Mika has a great selection and I love this String of Hearts. A type of succulent with a good draining soil and bright light, you won’t have to worry too much about this pretty little thing. Plus, you can propagate new strings with ease!
Craft Markets
Instagram/@thetrinitybellwoodsflea
If you’re looking for something low maintenance, but also super cute, then stop by your local craft market. Makers have been exploring ways to incorporate low maintenance plants into their work for a while now, and you never know what beautiful pairing you might score. You’ll find everything from traditional pottery to concrete planters here! A popular low maintenance plant found at craft markets is the Air Plant. While it only needs to be sprayed with water every couple of days, or soaked for 20 minutes in a glass of water, be careful not to forget about this guy!
Michaels
Instagram/@michaelsstores
If worst comes to worst and you just cannot keep a real life plant baby alive, Michaels is always a great option for faux plants. The store’s selection of fake flowers and plants look so real, no one will ever know the difference.
Featured Image: Instagram/@homebyemely
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It finally feels like cold days are behind us, and with the arrival of warm weather comes a plethora of amazing events!
This month, the city is teeming with notable happenings, including Pride, NXNE, neighbourhood block parties, outdoor movie nights, and more. Each event on this list is completely free to attend, so even if you’re pinching pennies, you can still have plenty of fun.
Here are our top choices for the best free Toronto events this June.
Canon Creator Lab Presents: Black Soap With Raheim Simon
Looking for an elevated dental experience? Look no further an Dr. Andrea Gelinas and her chic practice, Gelinas Dental Studio. Located on Dundas West, this isn’t your regular old dentist office. Not only is this space beautifully decorated, but it’s a place that will actually make you want to smile. From the super friendly staff to the calming atmosphere, being afraid of the dentist will be a thing of the past, especially after a visit with Dr. Gelinas.
Wondering how this cool dentist opened her own practice? Keep reading to find out how she got her job and is changing the dental game for the better!
Photo by Nicole Breanne
Did you always know you wanted to be a dentist?
Yes, since I was little. I remember telling my parents when I was in first grade that I wanted to be a dentist. I had no back up plan, every decision was made thinking about how to reach my goal.
Where did you go to school?
I went to the University of Detroit Mercy.
What is it that attracted you to dentistry?
My mom is a true dental phobic. As a child I used to go to her dental appointments with her and I became fascinated by all things dentistry. Our dentist was so gentle and calm. He really took time to make sure my mom was comfortable which was really nice to see as a child.
Why is dentistry so important to you?
It
Big news! There is a huge new community coming in the space between Toronto’s Bloordale, High Park, Junction Triangle and Roncesvalles neighbourhoods. If anyone remembers, it’s where the Zellers used to be.
The Project is located on a 10-acre site at the southeast corner of Dundas and Bloor and is expected to be HUGE. Get ready for even more condos (because we don’t have enough already) and retail shops. We’re hoping for more green spaces and gardens!
Given the current state of the strip mall, these plans look immediately promising and are sure to be an upgrade. Currently, the retail centre is anchored by a Loblaws grocery, LCBO, Kal-Tire, and Coffee Time.
Image via Choice Properties
Given the excellent transit options here, there’s also a desire to offer a significant amount of office space to go alongside with retail and residential buildings. Right now, the plan suggests that this community will have approximately 2,600 purpose built residential units ranging from 1-3 bedrooms, a portion of which will be dedicated to affordable housing.
Image via Choice Properties
More than 650,000 square feet of office and retail space will be spread across the site as well, making room for an expected 3,500 jobs and a variety of shops and services. Everything you could possibly need is going to be in one spot – LCBO, Shoppers Drug Mart, Loblaws and plenty of small businesses (which haven’t been named yet.) Sounds like smart thinking to me!
Image via Choice Properties
“New renderings illustrate proposed pedestrian connections to the TTC, Go Train and UP Express, as well as green space elements including a pear tree grove, a cherry blossom bowl, and terraced winter gardens.”
If you want to learn more about the project, there is an open house at 2280 Dundas Street West on Saturday, April 21st.
Featured Image: Choice Properties
Source: Blogto.com
What do you think about the new neighbourhood? Let us know in the comments!
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