Beach Metro News

Page 1

Volume 49 No. 18

BEACHMETRO.COM

December 1, 2020

Lockdown rules are frustrating small businesses By ALI RAZA, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

LOCAL BUSINESSES are frustrated and exhausted as they weather the storm in Toronto’s second lockdown since the COVID-19 pandemic began in March. The province announced Nov. 20 that Toronto and Peel were going into its Lockdown/Grey level of its pandemic response framework as of Nov. 23. The regions had seen continuous spikes of cases of COVID-19 since the end of summer, and hospitalizations and ICU admittance had drastically increased. But as the lockdown aims to reduce the spread of the virus, business owners in East Toronto asking why big box stores are still permitted to remain open. “It’s just another hammer on the head,” Skaut Design owner Inese Korbs said.

Her store on Kingston Road sells home decor, furniture, and other design products. Korbs doesn’t have the staff to move her inventory online for customers as a lot of her products are vintage pieces. “It’s another full-time job,” she said. Instead Korbs relies on “virtual visits” where people can phone in via video conference and she’ll walk them through the store. She said before the lockdown, while there were fewer visitors than normal years, individuals were buying more per visit. That came to a grinding halt last week. “The most difficult part is knowing that big box stores are allowed to operate,” Korbs said. “It’s kind of like they have different rules.” Walmart and Costco are some Continued on Page 23

Share a Christmas campaign to help families in need

See our Beach Village BIA Gift Guide pullout centrespread in today’s paper.

COMMUNITY CENTRE 55’s annual Share a Christmas campaign is raising funds to help families in need over the holiday season. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the need is especially great this year among close to 1,000 area families. Also, the campaign is doing some things differently this year because of the pandemic, and that means monetary donations are most needed. To make a cash, cheque or credit card donation, or to find out how you can help this year’s Share a Christmas campaign, go to www. centre55.com or call 416-691-1113.

PHOTO: LISA CHRISTENSEN

Monica Christensen is surrounded by birthday wishes on her 100th birthday which was celebrated last Thursday.

Huge response received to call out for 100th birthday wishes WHEN THE daughter of Monica Christensen put out a call to the East Toronto community to send 100th birthday wishes to her mother this month, she was not expecting the overwhelming response the family received. Beach Metro News first ran the story in our Nov. 17 edition, letting the community know that Lisa Christensen was hoping to have 100

birthday wishes sent to her mom either by email or regular mail. Originally, her family was planning on a big birthday party with lots of guests to celebrate the milestone but that simply could not happen due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Instead, Lisa let Beach Metro News know she was looking for birthday wishes to be sent to her mom, and the story grew from

there. Once the news got out, it was picked up by a number of other media organizations and at last count Monica had received more than 2,100 birthday wishes by email and 84 cards and counting by regular mail. Premier Doug Ford and Mayor John Tory were among those who Continued on Page 23


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