Oakwood Village Magazine 2022 by Oakwood Village

Oakwood Village Magazine 2022

Message from the Board ‘Celebrating our diverse community’ is the theme of this inaugural edition of the Oakwood Village BIA Magazine. After long years under the shadow of the pandemic, and with reopening, we are excited to celebrate everything that makes this diverse community special. In this first issue of Oakwood Village BIA Magazine we’re highlighting the stories of people, projects and places, while sharing some of the different aspects that make Oakwood Village BIA business-community and a great place to work, live and play.

OakwoodVillageBIA Magazine 2022 | oakwoodvillage.ca

This theme permeates through these pages in many ways. Diversity as expressed through art is prominent throughout Oakwood Village and this edition. From the poem “Art is Power” by Randell Adjei, Ontario’s first Poet Laureate (pgs 4 & 5), to the article by STEPS Public Art, highlighting local murals (pgs 6 & 7). Our article highlighting the “Weaving the Future” mural shares how it portrays the theme of diversity and community as “a multicultural team of hands working together to sew a quilted blanket” (pg 8). Even the front and back cover of the magazine are illustrations by local artists and include nods to local public art pieces which captured their eye! Our community features written by Nia Centre - Canada’s first multidisciplinary Black arts centre (pgs 26 & 27), and For Youth Initiative’s article “Home is Where the Heart Is” (pgs 24 & 25), show the deep and meaningful diverse programs being rooted and built here in Oakwood Village. Speaking of diversity and roots, you can learn more about the origins of Oakwood Village places and spaces through our “Roots & Routes” project feature (pgs 14 & 15) and an article by local historian Bill Worrell “What’s in a Street Name?” (pgs 16 & 17). To quote the words and sentiments of local business owner “”. You can read their and other intimate stories (pgs 10-13). Also, enjoy some of the culinary diversity of Oakwood Village with local recipes (pgs 20 & 21).

Questions / Comments, please contact: Oakwood Village BIA oakwoodvillage.ca | coordinator@oakwoodvillage.com

Plus, you can explore Oakwood Village through many community resources in these pages such as the community map by illustrator Daniel Rotzstain aka The Urban Geog (pg 19), our article about the Oakwood Library Branch (pg 18), and our convenient local business directory to our 100+ local businesses at the back (pgs 28-30). Despite the challenges that have transpired, Oakwood Village BIA is proud to help show our community’s resiliency and true colours, through this inaugural magazine edition. #OakwoodVillageBIA Board of Directors Jeffrey P. Peters - Chair Mauricio Jimenez - Treasurer Mark Zwicker - Vice Chair Sarah Lockett Melake Tezazu Christina Nisan Leslie Salituro Joanne Dileo Paulette Di Renzo Anne Sorrenti Councillor Ana Bailao (Ex-Officio) Councillor Josh Matlow (Ex-Officio) Magazine Team & Credits Editors: Meg Marshall, Jennifer Lay, Jeff Peters, Mauricio Jimenez, Mark Zwicker Printer: Astley Gilbert Graphic Design: Maria Pineros Contributing Writers: Bill Worrell, Benedicto San Juan (For Youth Initiative), Grace Cameron, Jennifer Lay, Meg Marshall, STEPS Public Art, Nia Centre, Randell Adjei, Tamunoibifiri Fombo Contributing Illustrators: Chawntay Barrett (back cover), Daniel Rotzstain (community map), Joseph Bonsu (poem illustration), Maria Piñeros (front cover) Photo Credits: Brandon Cole, Kurt Mungal, Marla Warner, Mauricio Jimenez, May Shi, Moonlight Murals Collective, Nia Centre for the Arts, Selina McCallum, Richie Dos Santos, Toronto Archives, Whitney Mitchell Bush

@oakwoodvillagebia

Table of Contents 4

Art is Power

Celebrating Community Public Art in Oakwood Village

Weaving the Future Mural

Celebrating Local Businesses

Oakwood Village Roots & Routes Discovery Trail

What’s in a Street Name

18 Oakwood Library -It’s Cooler Than You Think!

Making Connections: Community Map

Recipes from Oakwood Village

A Nod to the Corner Store

Home is Where the Heart Is

Business Directory

Love Letters to Oakwood Village

Nia Centre Brings More Art to Oakwood Village

OakwoodVillageBIA Magazine 2022

ART IS POWER Randell Adjei

OakwoodVillageBIA Magazine 2022 | oakwoodvillage.ca

In its essential core is the beat of our community. It is the blood line that keeps us going, it is the ink in our veins the medicine to our pain It is the paint brush stroke from the creator that paints our perfect canvas. Art has a way of drawing the best out of us. It is the movement from the soles of our feet that reminds our souls that there are no limits that there are no unreachable feats in life Art, is taking the first step without seeing the mountain ahead It is the life that is rooted into me every time I Edgar Allan Poe a tree & branch out what our ancestors leave. It is the reason we breathe it is the clicking tongue of photography After all, they say a picture is worth a thousand words. But in some communities, some teens have no aim, & trigger words are quick to inflict pain they say, “Art allows us to create” & to think, to reflect on what happens in our community what happens in our lives & what happens around us.

Art, is constantly connecting cultural communities to A, B & C the future. It is a known fact, The better we can express ourselves, the better our cells can regenerate improving our quality of life. Art is the “write” way to live Art is a privilege to those with disabilities who can’t walk freely so they begin to weave the seams of their dreams. I believe, that “art is a second language to our youth” It is the fruits of our truth So let us grow. Art is a way of connecting to our higher selves expressing what conversation sometimes fails to do It is a way of finding ourselves. because without it, we are lost, like that troubled 13 year old boy I once was because In my neighborhood we didn’t have any access to resources Community centers were trying to make programs for us but not with us, they neglected our in-trust. Art, is bridging the gap between opportunity & community for youth to walk into an orchestrated future. Art, is a sense of self knowing IT IS POWERFUL It is the lead from a pencil that keeps a leader leading Art has kept me from being marginalized between the lines. Writing has allowed me to do the right thing making me aware of the issues in the community

Art, in its essential core is the beat of our community. It is the blood line that keeps us going, the ink in our veins the medicine to our pain It is the paintbrush stroke of genius that paints our perfect canvas. Art is life It is God molding us into the perfect clay Art is today it is tomorrow It is eternal Art is NOW Art is Activism so call us artivists it is the moving of mountains it is the pyramids of Egypt the liberty of building statues it is the architecture of our minds Art is the neurons in our brain that help us maintain It is the way the sun kisses the foreheads of trees It is the gentle ripples in the oceans Art is the flow of life An artists’ imagination flies in the skies & you simply cannot cage it up. In its essential core is the beat of our community. It is the blood lines that keeps us going, the ink in our veins the medicine to our pain it is the pain brush stroke from God that paints our physical canvas. Art is life Art is me Art is you so be-u-to-full!

Randell Adjei is an Author, Inspirational Speaker, Arts Educator and Community Leader who uses the spoken word to empower and transform through Edutainment. He is the founder of one of Toronto’s largest and longest running youth led initiatives; Reaching Intelligent Souls Everywhere (R.I.S.E Edutainment). Among many other accolades, Randell was named Ontario’s first Poet Laureate in 2021. Learn more about Randell Adjei, his story, and his work at randelladjei.com and @randelladjei Joseph Osei Bonsu is a Toronto-based illustrator specializing in comic book art and editorial art. Illustrations by Joseph Osei Bonsu @jayoh83

OakwoodVillageBIA Magazine 2022

Celebrating Black Queer Lives by Curtia Wright (Left to right: Ima Esin (STEPS), Curtia Wright (Lead Artist), Renee Castonguay (STEPS), and Adom Acheampong (Nia Centre for the Arts). Kurt Mungal from LOMA Agency

OakwoodVillageBIA Magazine 2022 | oakwoodvillage.ca

Celebrating Community Public Art in Oakwood Village Words by: STEPS Public Art May Shi

@stepspublicart

@mayshi.jpg

In Oakwood Village, new public art projects have animated the neighbourhood as a powerful tool for pandemic recovery and community engagement. STEPS Public Art and the Oakwood Village Business Improvement Area (BIA) have partnered to bring public art activations to the main street, uplift the area and its residents, and connect local artists with paid opportunities. Two bright murals and a meeting spot with revitalized public furniture were produced in the Oakwood area in 2021 as part of STEPS’ I HeART Main Street program. The program was developed to engage BIAs, local artists, and businesses across Ontario to create more vibrant and safe localities. The new mural and creative placemaking project that were completed last summer by artists Curtia Wright (Instagram @curtia) and Leone McComas (Instagram @lehohneh) won the I HeART Main Street Challenge’s Community Engagement Award. Recognized by an Awards Committee made up of

community and cultural representatives, the prize provides monetary and in-kind support to realize future main street placemaking initiatives.

Celebrating Black Queer Lives by Curtia Wright @curtia Celebrating Black Queer Lives, by Toronto multidisciplinary fine artist and muralist Curtia Wright, commemorates and uplifts Black femmes and speaks to the importance of community, solidarity, and connection. The mural painted at 529 Oakwood Avenue depicts two Black femme figures facing each other, connected by their hair and surrounded by flowers and radiant, serene colours. As Wright explains: “the lives of Black queer people are sacred and should always be protected; this piece aims to evoke compassion, as a means of support for Black queer femmes and most importantly to showcase the beauty, tenderness and joy in the Black queer community.”

The project was commissioned by LOMA Marketing Agency in partnership with Nia Centre, STEPS Public Art and Oakwood Village BIA, with special thanks to The Beer Store.

area. The painting draws on imagery and motifs from a range of cultures including African, Middle Eastern, and Native American to celebrate the diversity of Toronto neighbourhoods like Oakwood Village, and spread a positive message for future generations.

Revitalized Outdoor Furniture by Leone McComas @lehohneh

As neighbourhoods city-wide face reduced foot traffic, limited community events, and reduced capacities for local stores and restaurants, strengthening outdoor spaces can engage residents and attract visitors. By focusing on community engagement and supporting creative placemaking, BIAs can create more vibrant, hopeful, and popular public spaces.

The neighbourhood’s second award-winning project was a collection of up-cycled community furniture that was revitalized to build a pop-up parkette on Oakwood Avenue. Toronto-based visual artist and designer Leone McComas painted picnic tables and benches with bright designs in a floral palette to create a warm, welcoming neighbourhood space. McComas shared: “I loved the idea of highlighting Oakwood’s multicultural neighbourhood in this initiative to connect local businesses with their communities. With such diversity I envisioned the picnic benches serving as a place of meeting for a mixture of exchanges and patrons. To celebrate this opportunity my mural design focuses on the beauty of interaction (especially when we have variety)! In front of restaurants, hair salons, and plant stores with native flowers of Portugal, Italy, Jamaica, and Japan chop and flow together–creating a completely new composition.”

The 2021 public art activations in Oakwood Village work to beautify the neighbourhood and build a sense of community for the people who use the spaces every day. Drawing on site-specific identities, values, and characteristics of the area, these projects transform Oakwood Avenue into a welcoming neighbourhood hub. STEPS Public Art is a Canadian-based national organization that fosters dynamic, inclusive and resilient communities through one-of-a-kind art initiatives. The I HeART Main Street program continues to provide Business Improvement Areas (BIAs) with the support they need to activate their main streets through public art and placemaking. To keep up with STEPS Main Street Recovery program, visit stepspublicart.org and follow @STEPSPublicArt.

“Weaving the Future” by Moonlight Murals Collective The Oakwood Village BIA continued their participation in I HeART Main Street programming with a mural project that built on the neighbourhood’s sense of community connection. Weaving the Future, from the Moonlight Murals Collective, portrays a multicultural team of hands working together to sew a quilted blanket for children resting under it. For the mural project, located at 477 Oakwood Ave, artists Yasaman Mehrsa, Melika Saeeda and Ghazaleh Rastgar took inspiration from the traditions of quilting, and the idea of weaving together a multicultural community that lives cohesively and happily in the Revitalized Outdoor Furniture by Leone McComas May Shi

OakwoodVillageBIA Magazine 2022

Weaving the Future Mural

Moonlight Murals Collective

OakwoodVillageBIA Magazine 2022 | oakwoodvillage.ca

Interview with Yasaman Mehrsa of the Moonlight Murals Collective When you come upon this vibrant tapestry, well you simply can’t miss it. Being two stories tall and spanning an entire parking lot, it is a landmark in the Oakwood Village BIA. But the mural’s vibrancy is just the tip of the iceberg of what makes it special. We spoke to Yasaman Mehrsa, one of the members of the Moonlight Murals Collective to learn more about the story and artists behind it:

What is Moonlight Murals Collective and how did it come together? I’m a multidisciplinary artist, I started doing street art in 2018. Through street art projects in Toronto, I met Melika and Ghazaleh within the artist community. We were drawn together by what we have in common: art of course, and we are also from the same generation, we were all born and grew up in Iran and later immigrated to Canada. We also all enjoy story-telling. We decided to form an artists collective and work together to apply for opportunities to do larger art projects which combine our styles and interests. I am personally obsessed with the moon and also wanted to pick a name that sounds great with ‘murals’ - we brainstormed as a collective and came up with the name Moonlight Murals Collective.

Tell us about the ‘Weaving the Future’ Mural This mural was our third project together as a collective. I actually noted the wall on my commutes even before the project was conceived. Then, I saw the call for artists and we went for it. I live close to Oakwood as well, so it was like serendipity.

From right to left: Ghazaleh Rastgar, Yasaman Mehrsa and Melika Saeeda.

About the Mural: Artist(s): Moonlight Murals Collective (Yasaman Mehrsa, Melika Saeeda, Ghazaleh Rastgar) Location: 477 Oakwood Avenue Commissioned by: Oakwood Village BIA Sponsored by: Mural Routes, STEPS Public Art with special thanks to New Casa Abril. Measurements: 22’x54’ Theme: A Common Thread

From right to left: Ghazaleh Rastgar, Yasaman Mehrsa and Melika Saeeda.

The theme of the mural was ‘a common thread’. Oakwood Village is a very multi-cultural area so we wanted to create something that everyone could connect to. We all like to do patterns but at the same time show images of people in an inclusive way. We decided to focus on hands to include different races, ethnicities and cultures in an illustrative manner. We began from the hands and came up with the quilted blanket, the idea of children sleeping under the blanket and the adults - the older generation - weaving the quilt for the next generation, telling them stories about their cultures, nature and what their experiences. A lot of cultures have handmade quilt motifs that are passed on through generations. There are many symbols in the mural which come from conversations with community members and BIA members. We chose to include some symbols and patterns of what the different cultures have in common.

How was your experience working on the mural?

storage for our materials. The adjacent restaurant owner donated paints. People walking by commented and asked questions. Somebody who lived nearby sent us photos of our work from afar and noted they were enjoying watching the mural creation process from their window. We also had support from STEPS Public Art and Mural Routes which are local arts organizations.

Have you heard feedback about the mural? On social media especially we have had some nice notes from local people and conversations. It was nearly November (2021) when we finished the mural and we hope more people will be going out and seeing public art with the reopening and better weather. Find Moonlight Murals Collective at www.moonlightmuralscollective.ca and on Instagram @moonlight.murals.collective

It was really nice as there were construction workers in the parking lot beside us who lent us tools and

OakwoodVillageBIA Magazine 2022

Celebrating Local Businesses OakwoodVillageBIA Magazine 2022 | oakwoodvillage.ca

Selina McCallum

@shotbyselina

Remo Iaquone

Owner, Tony’s Driving School 363 Oakwood Avenue | (416) 656-1411 Written and Edited by: Grace Cameron, Editor & Publisher of JamaicanEats Magazine @jamaicaneatsmagazine

I was making a turn but got distracted by a beautiful girl. My eyes followed her, and the car started turning toward her. My father, Antonio, slammed on the brakes and then slapped me (but we prefer to call it an Italian kiss).

I grew up in this business and learned from my father that when someone comes into the school, they are no longer a client, you treat them like family. He taught me that nothing is better than people making each other feel good. That is how I live my life today. I love people, and while no one is perfect, I try to get along with everyone. I think that is why we have such a good reputation. We never have to publicize the school. People keep sending others, and then they all become like family.

It must’ve worked, because I’m 73 and after more than 50 years of teaching people to drive, I haven’t taken my eyes off the road while behind the wheel for anything.

Following in my father’s footsteps as a driving instructor felt like a natural thing to do. I was born to do this. Over the years I’ve taught tens of thousands of people how to drive and I just love what I do.

I came to Canada in 1954 with my parents from Rome, Italy. My dad started Tony’s Driving School in 1958, teaching immigrants how to drive. We also opened Iaquone Supermarket in 1966 to cater to the mainly Italian, Portuguese, and Greek immigrants who flocked to Oakwood Village. While we enjoyed having the supermarket, which was located on St. Clair West, our heart was really in the driving school. We sold the supermarket in 1979 or ‘80. I think about it once in awhile, but I wouldn’t want to go back to it.

I have so many great memories when I think back through the years, it’s hard to pick just one or two. However, I do recall my first car. It was a 1968 red Dodge Dart. It was more like a teaching car, but I would put the sign in the trunk when going out on dates. I didn’t want an expensive car.

My father loved family, people and cars, that’s how he became a driving instructor. He also loved the area and the people, and he loved this country…more than he did Italy. I’m the same way.

And I just love this beautiful community…from the residents to the merchants…that I grew up in. I could’ve moved years ago, but the people kept me in the area. Even today, with three driving instructors, along with Cindy and Antonella who work in the office, I come to work in the early morning and sometimes I’m still here at 10pm, although we close at 8. My secretary Cindy keeps telling me that I don’t have to be here all the time, but I come anyway.

The one and only time my father gave me ‘a big fat Italian kiss’, I was 16 years old and he was teaching me to drive.

Mine has been a simple life. I’ve never flown a plane or parachuted from the sky, but I was blessed with good parents. I have my wife Maria, a daughter, two granddaughters and my mother Lidia who is 93.

I believe driving takes you to the world and I love teaching new drivers. My father taught until the day before he died at age 75, in 2003. It looks like I’ll be doing the same.

OakwoodVillageBIA Magazine 2022

Clifford Paul

Founder and Owner of Frontlinez Barbers 511 Oakwood Avenue | frontlinez.ca (647) 964-8441 |

@frontlinezbarbers

Written by: Tamunoibifiri “Firi” Fombo |

@firifombo

Barbering started as a hobby for me in high school.

OakwoodVillageBIA Magazine 2022 | oakwoodvillage.ca

I worked at Central Barbershop and at Fadeaway, both located in Oakwood Village, back in the day. After a while, I thought it was time to spread my wings, so I got this shop from a retiring barber. It had all I needed and so I took it over and started Frontlinez Barbers. That was 18 years ago and the work was still like a hobby. I was young at the time and this became a place where people would hang out and get a haircut. I loved that I was also making money, so I decided to treat it like a business to support my family. I enjoy serving people and I give it my all to ensure that customers have a pleasant experience every time they come in. I think this is the key to my longevity in Oakwood. It’s why I’m still on the front line as the go-to barbershop in the community. Around here, people simply know me as Cliff.

I also make it my business to keep learning my craft and to stay on top of trends and innovations, especially during these pandemic times when everything is online. For example, I’ve adapted by creating a digital presence. Now people can book appointments online (frontlinez.ca). I also understand the importance of mentorship in the barbershop space, and I am available to mentor people interested in becoming barbers. I enjoy doing business in Oakwood because it’s a vibrant community with a diverse population and I get to welcome people and recommend neighbourhood places to them when they come in for a haircut. Talking to people keeps me very intrigued. The neighbourhood has changed a lot in the last 18 years and my business has been affected by this change. However, I look at it as a way to grow and try different things. I am not as outdoors as I used to be, and it saddens me, but one thing that is consistent at Frontlinez Barbers is that customers always leave with a good haircut and friendly customer service. Every time a customer walks through the door, my goal is to make a statement without saying a word, which is the tagline of Frontlinez. I am grateful to have my business still up and running in Oakwood.

Mati Moses and Novalee Sterling

Owners of St. Skin Tones Beauty

371A Oakwood Avenue | stskintonesbeauty.com (416) 410-3335 |

@st.skintones

Written by: Tamunoibifiri “Firi” Fombo

@firifombo

In the heart of Oakwood Village sits St. Skin Tones Beauty, a luxurious and intimate spa run by friends Mati Moses and Novalee Sterling. Fondly known as Mati and Novi, the pair met while studying medical esthetics. They toyed with the idea of running a business together, but then went on to work for other companies. They finally came together in July 2021 to open St. Skin Tones Beauty. The two are also residents of the area and believed that operating a business in the community was one of the ways to show support for Oakwood Village. Mati and Novi co-designed the space to create a haven. It was important, they noted, to have an intimate, chic and comfortable space that would also feel open and inviting. Mati added that they had fun tapping into their creativity to design the spa. St. Skin Tones Beauty offers a range of services, from facials and manicures to pedicures, body treatments, body wrapping, waxing and massage ther-

apy. The pair explained that this comprehensive range of services lead to the ‘St.’ in the name St. Skin Tones Beauty. “We gave ourselves this nickname because we always want to be a space that goes beyond just taking care of the surface to take care of the entirety of the vessel that you have. We are the Beauty Saints.” Next, the business is expanding to offer more medical grade spa services alongside skincare products and treatments that are suitable for all skin types, without any restrictions. This sets us apart in the beauty industry, said the duo, and “Oakwood is the perfect area for us. It has a diversity of people, is family-oriented and some of our team of experienced estheticians also come from this neighbourhood”. St. Skin Tones Beauty is the first of its kind in the neighborhood, and “we have felt welcomed as a business. We are happy that we attract people from outside the neighbourhood too,” said Mati. Visitors can expect a warm welcome when they walk into St. Skin Tones Beauty, promised Mati and Novi. And “expect to feel renewed and refreshed in a way that makes you appreciate and remember the importance of loving and taking care of yourself.”

OakwoodVillageBIA Magazine 2022

Oakwood Village Roots & Routes Discovery Trail OakwoodVillageBIA Magazine 2022 | oakwoodvillage.ca

Art installations and musical performances that took us on a journey of playful discovery. Using the theme Roots and Routes, we acknowledged the environment and the contributions of many communities and people to the neighbourhood we have today. Lead partners: Oakwood Village BIA and Muse Arts ( @museartsto). In collaboration with Philip Cote, MFA, Young Spiritual Elder, Artist, Activist, Historian and Traditional Wisdom Keeper ( @philipcote_indigenous_artist) The Oakwood Village Roots & Routes Discovery Trail is a City of Toronto Cultural Hotspot SPARK Project. The Oakwood Village Roots & Routes Discovery Trail project was conceived of during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2021. The idea was to create a journey for people to walk through the neighbourhood and connect during the pandemic. Several interactive components made up the discovery trail: sidewalk paintings, window installations, a community treasure hunt, and pop-up performances by local musicians. These elements told stories of the neighbourhood. References to ‘roots’ signified ‘where we come from’, ‘the people’, ‘our origin story’. ‘Routes’ meant the connection to our main street neighbourhood and travelling through it. However, these ‘homophones’ (i.e. words that sound the same but are different in meaning or spelling) became inextricably linked through the project. Oakwood has long been a neighbourhood of newcomers. There is meaning in the idea of routes through the neighbourhood, referencing everyone

who has come through Oakwood in waves and intervals. The other meaning of ‘routes’ is the whispering in the neighbourhood about Vaughan Road being one of the early Indigenous trails that came up from Davenport. Philip Cote (Young Spiritual Elder, Artist, Activist, Historian and Traditional Wisdom Keeper) had done significant work along Davenport and in following the route of the Eglinton escarpment and the ridge which would have been Iroquois land. Through the project Philip mentored and shared knowledge with project partners Muse Arts and their mentees, and the Oakwood Village BIA team, to help them incorporate traditional knowledge of plants, medicine and animals into the art and information shared during the project. Philip took the team on a journey through the story of Toronto, and that Vaughan Road was an Indigenous trail, before it became a route for Irish and other immigrants at the turn of the previous century. Aspects of the knowledge sharing made their way into the art. Muse Arts created seven installations, including four window installations and three sidewalk paintings. For example, on the sidewalk paintings, there was garlic and sumach, referenced from the book Indian Herbology, and another had salmon and turtles. A window installation included paper cranes which represented herons. The project was shared online through social media in the form of a community map/walk guide and treasure hunt to spark people’s interest and imaginations. Then, as things began to open up in the summer months of 2021, the BIA employed local musicians to play on Saturday mornings along the discovery trail. It was a lot of fun because there are people and talent in every corner of Oakwood Village.

This project helped create connections and bring sparks of light and love during a darker time, and sharing the story in these pages helps its story live on. A parting message shared by the Oakwood Village BIA as the project came to a close: The Oakwood Village Roots and Routes Discovery Trail has been a great summer journey through our neighbourhood engaging community and people. Huge thanks to Muse Arts for your creativity, for joining and becoming part of the community story in designing, curating and installing the sidewalk paintings and window installations. Gratitude to Philip Cote for taking us back to the roots of travel, migration and commerce in these parts. The marker trees are an exceptional phenomenon. Too bad there are so few left. All the important places have been transformed. Buckets of gratitude to the City of Toronto. This has been a Cultural Hotspot SPARK Project and we have been delighted to be able to participate in bringing art installations, culture and history to our community with your support.

Sidewalk installations created by Muse Arts explored the themes of nature, travel and migration. These themes reflect Oakwood Village, its perpetual sense of transition, the unique diagonal geography between the ravine system and escarpment edge and the people who make their way through here. Did you know Oakwood Ave was originally called Lakeview? In this art playful sounds (vowels) were brought together with Canada’s quintessential migratory species, the Canada Goose.

And thank you to the community! Oakwood Village businesses would not be here without your continued presence and support.

“I pack my heart and move forward.” One of the window installations by Muse Arts which references: “A journey through the north western edge of Toronto’s early urban landscape. A welcoming place for generations of migrants and workers moving north from the downtown core. A place of transition, of memories of home. A serendipitous experience. A learning journey and an acknowledgement of the people who came before us and their legends.”

Map of Key Points in the Oakwood Village Roots & Routes Discovery Trail

OakwoodVillageBIA Magazine 2022

What’s in a Street Name? Words by: Bill Worrell Selina McCallum and Toronto Archives

OakwoodVillageBIA Magazine 2022 | oakwoodvillage.ca

I call our community Oakwood Vaughan, some call it Oakwood Village, and some say Vaughan Oakwood. We are a unique community with a rich and varied history. The streets and buildings of our community are full of stories of the past. Stories of how our community developed, and how it has changed over the years. A personal hobby of mine has been to collect knowledge about our community, based on some research, stories I’ve heard from neighbours and friends, and my own personal experience. Slowly over my 40 years of living here, I have tried to keep track of this community wisdom. Once in a while, I’ll lead a walk in the community, and try to share some of what I’ve learned. I call my community walk “The Good, Bad and Ugly.” Every community has stories like that. We learn from our history.

Oakwood Ave and Rogers Road Rogers Road is named after Stephen Rogers, who built one of the first houses in the Oakwood Village area in 1876. He was a prosperous farmer who owned large tracts of land for farming and orchards in the area. I was told that the house at 9 Bansley is the original house of Stephen Rogers, but I have yet to confirm that. The house looks more like a small mansion and has a unique brickwork, quite different fromthan the surrounding bungalows and semi-detached dwellings. Rogers Road was constructed in the 1920s to serve Prospect Cemetery. The Rogers Road streetcar line operated from 1924 to 1974, one of three new streetcar routes opened in the 1920s northwest of the City of Toronto. The Township of York Railways was established to build and operate transit services in the rapidly growing suburbs just outside the city limits (St. Clair Ave.). The Rogers Road line opened on the same day in 1924 as the Oakwood streetcar line which shared the same tracks between St. Clair Avenue and Rogers Road along Oakwood Avenue. The Oakwood line closed in 1960. On July 19, 1974, the Rogers Road streetcar was closed. Both the Oakwood and Rogers Road routes started at St. Clair and Oakwood (the loop is still in use for short-turning 512 St. Clair cars); the Rogers Road cars turned west onto its namesake street from Oakwood to a loop at Bicknell Avenue while Oakwood cars continued north on Oakwood and west on Eglinton Avenue to Gilbert Loop, just west of Caledonia Road. I can still remember the sections of Oakwood and Rogers that had the old tracks embedded in the pavement, which have since been removed.

Vaughan Road In a city of streets based on a north-south-east-west grid, Vaughan Road stands out as an anomaly. Even the designation “Road” suggests it was named before any urban activity was present. Vaughan Road was built in 1850, when the area was largely farmland. It was originally a much longer road, starting from Yonge Street, following the route that is now Davenport Road until what is now Bathurst Street. The road then stretched northward and continued along the route that is now Vaughan Road. When the road was built, it was financed through the collection of tolls. The cabin of the toll collector is still down at the corner of Davenport and Bathurst. It stretched up to what is now Dufferin Street. and then continued north along today’s Dufferin on up to the newly established Vaughan Township. It was built to connect with the new township, and, as was common in that period, the road was given the name of its destination…an easy way to figure out how to get there! There are many parts of Vaughan Road that were originally based on trails of the original Indigenous peoples. I often wonder if Vaughan Road is actually the oldest street in Toronto (, perhaps 10,000 years old!). Many sections of the road run parallel to a stream that is now buried, the Castle Frank Brook. This explains the meandering nature of the road, as it followed the contours of the land above the stream bed below, much like a walking trail. If you look carefully as you travel on this street, you will see that there are parts that are actually on a ridge (ground slopes down on each side), or on the side of a gentle slope, but always at basically the same altitude. The original trail would have stayed dry during rainfalls, since water would flow off one or both sides. It is never too steep, even as it slowly climbs between St. Clair and Eglinton…. It was designed for a foot traveller or in a horse-powered vehicle, where energy expenditure is important! Vaughan Township, and therefore Vaughan Road, was named after Benjamin Vaughan. And now for the bitter irony. Dr. Vaughan was born in 1751 in Jamaica. His father was an Anglo-Irish plantation

TTC 4522 (PCC) a BICKNELL ROGERS car coming out of St. Clair Loop on to Oakwood Ave in Toronto, ONT September 8, 1965. Credit: Roger Puta.

owner who profited from the free labour of African. Indeed, later in life, when Vaughan was active in English politics he spoke strongly in favour of slavery, in opposition to the rising movement for its abolition. In 1794 he changed his stance as a pragmatic manoeuvre arguing that enslaved peoples could no longer be repressed and that accepting abolition of slavery could head off a rebellion. This is particularly ironic given that our community has historically been one of the areas of settlement of people of the African diaspora, from the time of escaped enslaved peoples arriving from the south, and then more recently the settlement of the African diaspora coming from the Caribbean beginning in the 1960s. This was an area of liberation and opportunity, however imperfect.

Bill Worrell is Chair of the Oakwood Vaughan Community Organization (OVCO). Feel free to sign up as a member or supporter. Bill and his partner raised a family and has lived in the community for 40 years, as a tenant and homeowner. If you’re interested in a community walk, or want to talk about the community he can be reached at worrellbill@gmail.com

OakwoodVillageBIA Magazine 2022

Oakwood Library It’s Cooler Than You Think! Words by: Meg Marshall

Marla Warner

@rebelhowlstudios

OakwoodVillageBIA Magazine 2022 | oakwoodvillage.ca

Libraries, in their historical and traditional format, are incredible resources for academic, historical, fiction, non-fiction and educational literary content, and equipped with helpful and knowledgeable staff. They also serve as coveted cornerstones and meeting places in local communities. Oakwood Village is no exception. But libraries are so much more, and much cooler than you think! Many may remember learning the organizational Dewey Decimal System that was used to help locate that special book or journal, but libraries have massively revolutionized and modernized themselves. The Oakwood Village Library & Arts Centre opened in 1996 at 341 Oakwood Avenue, and it is still one of Toronto’s newer libraries. While it still embraces the key elements of a traditional library, it has many upgraded features helping ensure that it is available for all. This three-level accessible space has reduced barriers for people of all socio-economic levels. Much consideration has been given to make the physical space and presentation of the library appealing to all ages, for example, they have fun, kid-sized furniture! Here are key highlights of our Oakwood Library: • Free Wifi • Free computer use access • Book, music, and DVD take-home borrowing • Gaming equipment and space (XBox, Nintendo Switch) • Art exhibition space • Bookable piano room, with piano • Bookable auditorium with capacity of 200, including theatre lighting, sound and projector screen and small kitchenette • Kid-friendly furniture • Community news board • Grab & Go bags with curated themed book selections (very popular during the pandemic!)

Bonus: be sure to register for a free library card because it provides free access to many high-cost subscription online resources like academic journals, databases, creative programs, newspapers, and much more, that can be enjoyed from anywhere with your digital device. Also, be sure to take advantage of e-book loans and digital downloads. We spoke to Abbas Amarshi, Oakwood Village Library Branch Head, on why he loves this community so much. He shared: “There is an unwavering push of progressive energy from local businesses and organizations. Everybody cares about one another here.”

Visit/ contact them at: 341 Oakwood Ave

(416) 394-1040 | torontopubliclibrary.ca/oakwood

oakwoodvillage.ca

Recipes from Oakwood Village Richie Dos Santos

@rich3dee

Primrose Bagel Co. OakwoodVillageBIA Magazine 2022 | oakwoodvillage.ca

317A Oakwood Ave primrosebagel.com

Primrose Bagel Co.

(416) 546-9906

Recipe by: Primrose Bagel Co. www.primrosebagel.com @primrosebagel

Enjoy salmon gravlax with fresh cream cheese and bagels! • 1kg Salmon (preferably a center cut) • 2-3 tbsp white peppercorn • 1/4 cup kosher salt • 1/4 cup sugar • 2 bunches of dill (chopped)

Pat dry salmon fillets. Coarsely grind pepper and mix with sugar and salt. Sprinkle some of the mixture into a shallow dish and add some chopped dill. Place the salmon fillets in the dish (meat side up) and cover with the remaining salt and sugar mixture, as well as the rest of the chopped dill. Cover the baking dish with plastic and refrigerate for 48 hours, or until the fish is fully cured. Slice thin and enjoy on a bagel with your favourite schmear!

Sam, owner of Primrose Bagel Co. makes hand rolled, maltboiled bagels baked hot & fresh daily in Oakwood Village. Find them at 317A Oakwood Avenue.

DAM Chimichurri

DAM Sandwiches 363A Oakwood Ave (416) 652-1027

Recipe By: DAM Sandwiches @dam_sandwiches

Chimichurri is an Argentinian staple that goes great with everything from steak, chicken, pork, fish and veggies. Keeps in the fridge 4-5 days, just stir before use. • 1/2 cup red wine vinegar • 1 cup olive oil • 1 bunch parsley • 5-6 garlic cloves • 2-4 jalapeño peppers • 1 tbsp dried oregano • 1 tbsp each of salt n peppa

Chiffonade or finely chop the parsley. Mince the garlic. Brunoise or finely dice jalapeño. Add oregano, oil, vinegar, and salt and black pepper. Enjoy this versatile sauce for meat and veggies!

DAM Sandwiches offers Mexican and Korean influenced sandwiches and sides in Oakwood Village. The owners - Dong-Soo, Aidan and Miguel - have a combined 30+ years of hospitality experience and are thrilled to have opened up their own eatery. Find them at 363A Oakwood Avenue.

OakwoodVillageBIA Magazine 2022

OakwoodVillageBIA Magazine 2022 | oakwoodvillage.ca Photo of Roots & Routes Discovery Trail walk, in front of mural by Curtia Wright.

Mauricio Jimenez

@magicvisionphotography

A Nod to the Corner Store Words by: Meg Marshall Marla Warner

@rebelhowlstudios

Late night craving? Head to the corner store. Need flowers to take to someone? Head to the convenience store. Forgot a greeting card? Head to the corner store. Feeling lucky and want to play the lottery? Head to the convenience store. And for so many other random or necessary reasons… We owe a nod of thanks to our beloved local corner and convenience stores. The majority of them are not on social media, so won’t see the full gratitude and appreciation that the community has for them there. Some of these businesses are family-run or operate with minimal staff, open and working long hours for the ease of the general community to access - even on the majority of holidays when other shops are closed.

Here is a roundup of our local corner and convenience stores here in Oakwood Village. Be sure to say thanks to them on your next visit!

All in One Enterprise 536 Oakwood Ave (416) 844-0574

Asmareeno Grocery 373 Oakwood Ave (416) 410-0193

Best Choice Vegetable & Grocery 522 Oakwood Ave (416) 656-2994

La Cubana Supermarket 456 Oakwood Ave (416) 534-8636

Peter’s Variety 317 Oakwood Ave (416) 651-1577

QQ Fruit Market

Sam’s Food Stores

345 Oakwood Ave

620 Vaughan Rd

(416) 651-9348

(416) 656-3005

The Edge Variety Groceries 368 Oakwood Ave (416) 410-0596

Mor’s Dollarama 348A Oakwood Ave (416) 651-1441

Yip’s Fruit Market 340 Holland Park Ave (416) 654-5022

OakwoodVillageBIA Magazine 2022

OakwoodVillageBIA Magazine 2022 | oakwoodvillage.ca

Home Is Where The Heart Is Words by: Benedicto San Juan, Operations Director, For Youth Initiative

‘Home is where the heart is’. This cliché was the name of a presentation given by one of For Youth Initiative’s (FYI’s) Youth Workers as he delivered the difficult news in 2013 that one of FYI’s two locations needed to close its doors. This satellite site located in the heart of Little Jamaica on Eglinton Avenue West was known to many as “The Bridge”. With funding from the Federal Government, The Bridge’s aim was to provide a safe space for newcomer youth to learn skills, access support, engage in community, and, as the name suggests, to connect with one another. There was a computer lab to play games, engage in programs, and to complete schoolwork. The drop-in centre also hosted volunteer tutors who supported youth academically and challenged them to think critically. The Bridge featured English Conversation Circles, recreational basketball programs, cooking workshops, mentor-

Brandon Cole Caption: Ribbon cutting to celebrate FYI on Oakwood’s Launch

ship, volunteer opportunities, and programs that sought to help youth recognize their strengths and build civic leadership and advocacy. While the ultimate goal of programs is to develop youths’ networks, learn skills and be self-sufficient, another high value addition is case management. FYI takes a strength-based approach to individualized case management. Together, clients and caseworkers assessed needs, co-created goals, and developed plans to reach these goals. Youth received 1:1 support to establish this plan with weekly check-ins. Together, this unique offering of programs, field trips, workshops, events, and case management, was the driver for FYI’s success. Each day, The Bridge saw 20 to 30 youth that came from Vaughan Road Academy, George Harvey Collegiate Institute, and St. Oscar Romero. In a 1500 sq.ft. drop-in centre, youth from all walks of life came together. Regardless of their culture, background, experience, or religion- all were welcome. However, upon receiving news that once again, rent prices were increasing, it became evident that it was no longer sustainable to operate out of this site. Despite the fundraising, advocacy to elected officials, and support from the community, For Youth Initiative came to the difficult decision to amalgamate sites and move out of the Oakwood-Vaughan community. In true FYI fashion, stakeholders, community partners, volunteers and, of course, our youth were

brought together. With a heavy heart, we broke the news. There is no easy way to go about these conversations, but the messaging was this: Home is where the heart is. Regardless of where FYI is located, how our teams change or how our programs evolve, the spirit of who we are and what we do is unchanged. With vast physical and mental health issues, social disengagement and our communities shutdown due to COVID, 2020/2021 proved to be a difficult period for all. Oakwood-Vaughan has historically been underserved and community members have long expressed a need for a dedicated youth space. With rallying support from the City of Toronto and Ward 12 City Councillor Josh Matlow, after almost 10 years, we are proud to let the community know that FYI has re-opened its doors. In September 2021, the FYI Team hosted a ribbon cutting ceremony that took place right outside the new site at 504 Oakwood Avenue. With one hand on the novelty scissors, Shaneeza Nazseer Ally (Executive Director of FYI), Veronica Salvatierra & Stefany Hanson (City of Toronto) and Councillor Josh Matlow cut the ceremonial red ribbon; a symbolic representation of FYI’s new home in Oakwood. Since September 2021, the FYI Team has been eager to engage with the community. In partnership

Whitney Mitchell Bush Caption: Youth participants in the drop-in program

with local agencies, we’ve given out scholarships, hosted Vaccination Clinics, run Holiday Gift Drives and a Farmer’s Market giveaway, as well as many programs and workshops. At FYI, we believe that flexible, responsive, and inclusive spaces, programs, and services are vital to successful youth outcomes. On behalf of FYI, in our new Oakwood home, we humbly ask you to join us in our mission to end inequity and transform lives. For Youth Initiative (FYI) supports Black, racialized and newcomer youth to navigate systemic barriers, plan for the future and access the resources and mentorship they need to thrive. For more information on how to get involved, please visit www.foryouth.ca or find us on Instagram @FYIinTO.

Photo Credit: Whitney Mitchell Bush Caption: Presenting the FYI Future Fund Scholarship Award to youth participants

OakwoodVillageBIA Magazine 2022

Nia Centre Brings More Art to Oakwood Village

Words by: Nia Centre for the Arts Nia Centre for the Arts and Selina McCallum @shotbyselina Mural art pictured by: Curtia Wright @curtia

grown up with the Nia Centre, honing their craft with us at each stage of their journey. Now, we’re taking on our most ambitious project yet.

Our Space

OakwoodVillageBIA Magazine 2022 | oakwoodvillage.ca

Our founders recognized that there was a critical need to address the lack of spaces to nurture and promote Black artistic traditions. From the beginning, our vision was to create a physical space that could bring our community together and serve as a platform for artists to connect with new audiences. In 2015, we made a leap toward this milestone, when we secured space at 524 Oakwood Ave. We are now renovating this building into Canada’s first professional multidisciplinary Black arts centre. Measuring in at 14,000 sq ft, The Centre will soon be a space for artists and the community to connect to each other through art.

NIA Centre Mural

Selina McCallum

Who We Are Nia Centre for the Arts is a charitable organization that is committed to supporting creative youth and professional artists by connecting them to mentorship and opportunities. “Nia” is a Swahili word that means purpose. When we began our journey back in 2009, we knew that our work would focus on serving those who have found their purpose in the arts. Black creatives are often excluded from traditional art spaces because their stories do not fit into traditional Canadian narratives. We create spaces where youth can engage in Black culture in a way that is uplifting, without the burden of stereotypes. Since we began our work, we have seen time and time again that the support of mentors and a community of peers is an essential step in youth developing healthy identities.

As a Black organization, it means a lot to us to be able to open our doors in a historically Caribbean neighborhood. The 524 Oakwood has lived many lives. In the 1930s, the address belonged to the independent, family owned Grant Theatre. Later, in the 1960s, the building became Isabella’s Ballroom, a reggae and calypso nightclub that community members often come into The Centre to reminisce about. In its most recent history, the building served as a Toronto Public Health site until 2013. In October 2020, we launched a full reconstruction of the building. Each floor of the building will provide opportunities for artists and youth to thrive. The Centre offers performance spaces, gallery space, an artist studio, coworking spaces, a digital media lab and a youth hub.

Our programming model connects young people to artistic mentors, provides them with opportunities to meet like-minded peers, and opens the doors for them to develop their craft professionally.In the last decade, we’ve created a community of young people who have

The Centre under construction in 2021.

Nia Centre for the Arts

We believe that we need to support and protect the artists who are going to make sure that Black Canadians end up in our history books, in art galleries, and in our museums. We look forward to making a positive contribution to the neighborhood by bringing the artists who tell our stories right into the heart of Oakwood Village. Toronto is changing rapidly, and we continue to see that Black communities are left underserved as the city reinvents itself. In the meantime, while our space is under construction we bring art outside.

own mural - using the Nia Centre as their backdrop. It can be hard to get the confidence and skills to create a mural, and this was a great opportunity for them to work under Curtia’s guidance. The young artists practiced their skills, laughed with each other, and created works we are proud to share with the neighborhood. As we have expanded, it has become more important to us to make sure we remain connected to youth and artists in Oakwood Village. Our doors are open for creative minds in the neighborhood to make use of our space and our services. Eglinton-West is undergoing a major transition, and we know that too often our stories are forgotten. As a community organization with deep roots in the neighborhood, Nia Centre is committed to making sure that the histories and stories of Afro-diasporic people in Oakwood Village are preserved. We look forward to having you all in the space when we open our doors in the Fall.

Support Us by Showing Up We know that Black artists are still creating at the margins. Despite the fact that Black creatives have put Toronto on the map, the traditional art world often does not want to hear their stories, and spaces remain financially inaccessible.

Curtia Wright @curtia | painting at 529 Oakwood Ave. Selina McCallum.

When we opened our doors, we knew we wanted to involve youth in creating art for the neighborhood. Last summer, (in collaboration with STEPS Public Art, Loma Agency, and the Oakwood Village BIA) we brought muralist Curtia Wright into Oakwood Village to paint a vibrant mural. Her colourful addition titled ‘Celebrating Black Queer Lives’ represents the connection, love, support, and joy that exists between Black Queer women. The love the community has shown for the mural was immediate. Throughout the process, we watched as people welcomed Curtia and her art into the area, and showed their excitement about her work. That support was continued when the mural won the I HeArt Main Street Community Engagement Award in 2021.

That reality changes when people show up to support. At Nia Centre, we break down the barriers that make it difficult to find Black artists and engage with the talent that is right on the surface in our community. We look forward to seeing everyone in Oakwood Village come through our doors to share in the celebration of the artists who define this city. As we get closer to our opening, stay connected with us for updates on social media @niacentre and through our website www.niacentre.org We rely on donations to be able to support Black artists. Donations to Nia Centre for the Arts can be made through www.niacentre.org/donate

Curtia’s mural is an example of the holistic programming model that Nia Centre offers. That same summer, Curtia taught three young people how to build their

Creative Connect - Black Lens group mentorship session led by Nayo Sasaki- Picou

OakwoodVillageBIA Magazine 2022

OAKWOOD VILLAGE BUSINESS DIRECTORY Updated as of May 2022

Cafe, Bar, Restaurant, Deli

OakwoodVillageBIA Magazine 2022 | oakwoodvillage.ca

1 Plus 1 Pizza 361 Oakwood Ave (416) 656-0656 5 Points Pub 636 Vaughan Rd (416) 657-6363 Always Fresh Restaurant 620 Vaughan Rd (416) 410-0880 Caribbean Queen Jerk Drum Inc. Express 371 Oakwood Ave (416) 656-2000 Churrasqueira Costa Verde 370 Oakwood Ave (416) 658-9577

Sardinha Churrasqueira 373B Oakwood Ave (416) 410-7777

Jason’s Bakery 352 Oakwood Ave (416) 651-1780

Sushi Karu 378 Oakwood Ave (647) 352-5278

Kera Fresh Meat 621 Vaughan Rd (647) 417-3827

The Greens Bar & Restaurant 509 Oakwood Ave (416) 656-5672

Mastro Cafe 349B Oakwood Ave (647) 426-0999

The O.H. Pantry 337 Oakwood Ave

Neiva Sports Bar 327 Oakwood Ave (416) 658-0478 New Casa Abril Restaurant 475 Oakwood Ave (416) 953-3960 Oakwood Cafe & Bar 359 Oakwood Ave (416) 652-0154

The Oakwood Hardwood 337 Oakwood Ave (416) 658-9898 The Red Scale Bake Shop 626 Vaughan Rd (647) 965-0426 Uhuru Bar 380 Oakwood Ave (416) 652-6594

Oakwood Espresso 342B Oakwood Ave

Vegwood 540 Oakwood Ave (647) 446-3663

DAM Sandwiches 363A Oakwood Ave (416) 652-1027

Oakwood Pizzeria 434 Oakwood Ave (416) 654-5655

Gallery

Domino’s Pizza 354 Oakwood Ave (416) 654-3000

One Love Sports Bar 630 Oakwood Ave (416) 226-5376

Extra Burger 319A Oakwood Ave

Pita Ikram 530 Oakwood Ave (647) 874-1924

Crystal’s Eatery 632 Vaughan Rd (416) 656-6632

Goody Gut Co-Labs 336 Oakwood Ave (416) 728-2894

Primrose Bagel Co 317A Oakwood Ave (416) 546-9906

Art of Emotions Gallery 318 Oakwood Ave Nia Centre for the Arts: First Black Arts Centre in Toronto 524 Oakwood Ave (416) 535-2727

Community Services & Faith Based Organizations Bethel Restoration Ministries 611 Vaughan Rd (416) 654-7181 Canada School of Theology 360 Oakwood Ave (416) 535-4674 Cornerstone Place 616 Vaughan Rd (647) 347-0616 For Youth Initiative 504 Oakwood Ave (416) 653-3311 Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses 402 Oakwood Ave (416) 654-5151 Nia Centre for the Arts 524 Oakwood Ave (416) 535-2727 Oakwood Baptist Church 421 Oakwood Ave (416) 654-8020 Oakwood Village Library and Arts Centre 341 Oakwood Ave (416) 394-1040 Sunflower Montessori School 582 Oakwood Ave (416) 656-6300 Reset’s Retreat Centre 634 Vaughan Rd (416) 333-3056 The New Jerusalem Spanish Church 312 Oakwood Ave (416) 657-1441

Toronto Mount Zion Revival Church of the Apostales 347 Oakwood Ave

Grocery/ Corner Store All in One Enterprise 536 Oakwood Ave (416) 844-0574 Asmareeno Grocery 373 Oakwood Ave (416) 410-0193 Best Choice Vegetable & Grocery 522 Oakwood Ave (416) 656-2994

Health, Wellness & Fitness Fighting Arts Collective (Martial Arts) 331 Oakwood Ave (416) 892-9529 Mrose Health and Fitness Studio 5 Rogers Rd (416) 652-7000 Naka Ima Martial Arts 473 Oakwood Ave (416) 259-4320 Nexim 617 Vaughan Rd (416) 533-3600

La Cubana Supermarket 456 Oakwood Ave (416) 534-8636

Oakwood Dental Office 322 Oakwood Ave (416) 654-8533

Mor’s Dollarama 348A Oakwood Ave (416) 651-1441

Oakwood Pharmacy 332 Oakwood Ave (416) 651-5252

Peter’s Variety 317 Oakwood Ave (416) 651-1577

Ontario School of Ballet 473 Oakwood Ave (416) 656-9568

QQ Fruit Market 345 Oakwood Ave (416) 651-9348 Sam’s Food Stores 620 Vaughan Rd (416) 656-3005 The Edge Variety Groceries 368 Oakwood Ave (416) 410-0596 Yip’s Fruit Market 340 Holland Park Ave (416) 654-5022

Oakwood Village Dental 505 Oakwood Ave (647) 345-0505 Unison Health & Community Services 501 Oakwood Ave (647) 798-0441

Laundromat Bruno’s Laundromat 314 Oakwood Ave (647) 435-6970

OakwoodVillageBIA Magazine 2022

Oakwood Coin Laundry 331 Oakwood Ave (416) 729-4627

Tony’s Driving School 363 Oakwood Ave (416) 656-1411

Toronto Coin Laundry 627 Vaughan Rd

Professional Services

OakwoodVillageBIA Magazine 2022 | oakwoodvillage.ca

Alves Driving School 344 Oakwood Ave (416) 654-2180 Ayala Enterprises 319 Oakwood Ave (416) 653-5825 Canada Tailoring 342 Oakwood Ave (647) 774-4751 CIBC 364 Oakwood Ave (416) 651-5548 Dilena Paralegal Corporation 506 Oakwood Ave (416) 657-777 Graphics Plas 356 Oakwood Ave (647) 999-7971 Magic Vision Photography 374A Oakwood Ave (647) 688-5814 Spice (Canada) Inc Brokers and Importers 342C Oakwood Ave Tana Printing 633 Vaughan Rd (416) 654-2020 Tax and Business Anytime Inc. 338 Oakwood Ave (647) 345-5759

Spa, Beauty, Salon/Barber 4 U Hair Studio 2 Rogers Rd (416) 653-8381 Bookie’s Barber & Hair Salon 329 Oakwood Ave (416) 658-9694 Brazilian Hair Studio 374 Oakwood Ave (416) 654-6493 Dela’s Nails 628 Oakwood Ave (437) 227-9732 Elena’s Hair Design 324 Oakwood Ave (416) 658-7124 Frontlinez Barber 511 Oakwood Ave (647) 964-8441 Gary’s Barber & Beauty Salon 479 Oakwood Ave (416) 652-3341 St Skintones Beauty 371A Oakwood Ave (416) 410-3335 Superior Beauty Supply & Salon 534 Oakwood Ave (416) 654-1406

Specialty Retail & Services Al Assali Jewelery Studio 624 Vaughan Rd (647) 562-4340 Atrevida Store 507 Oakwood Ave (437) 227-9732 Cole and Parker - Socks for Leaders and Legends 510 Oakwood Ave (866) 730-0532 Computer Hospital + Emergency 410 Oakwood Ave (416) 658-1800 Edmundo’s Snack Bar 367A Oakwood Ave (416) 654-1570 Exquisite Travel Inc 420 Oakwood Ave (416) 519-5072 Grace Jasmin Flower Studio 400 Oakwood Ave (416) 410-2888 Jimmy’s Handcrafted Gifts 365 Oakwood Ave Lush and Found 376 Oakwood Ave (416) 617-8123 M Ricci Boutique & Tailor 334 Oakwood Ave (416) 651-1653 Terracycle 504 Oakwood Ave 1 (800) 758 2943 The Beer Store 529 Oakwood Ave (416) 652-0315 Ultramar 637 Vaughan Rd (416) 410-3367

L ve Letters to Oakwood Village Marla Warner

@rebelhowlstudios

Mauricio Jimenez

@magicvisionphotography

“My partner and I are new to the neighborhood, but have already fallen hard! We even had our wedding brunch at Oakwood Hardware and could not have been more amazed!! So happy

“I love Oakwood Village because it really feels like a village within the city. Having people you know and even strangers say hello means so much.”

to be part of this community.”

“Friendly neighbours, delicious coffee, small business’ persistence to stay open despite everything! Beautiful Jamaican culture.”

“My family has lived in Canada for many generations. I am the first to live in Toronto and Oakwood Village is the neighborhood I chose.”

“I carry the culture and heritage of Latin America and my country of origin, Costa Rica. My sons were born into this community and have grown up here.”

“My in-laws built our house in 1949....we bought it from them 41 years ago and have loved living and working here.”

@oakwoodvillagebia | www.oakwoodvillage.ca