What's new in the Beaches: Brewpubs, boutiques, butter tarts and more

Photo: The Sweet Oven

The abundance of new businesses opening is a boon to the Beaches. Queen Street East, one of the areas targeted under Councillor Brad Bradford's Strong Main Streets initiative, has a ton going on this summer. Here's what’s underway:

The Big Bruce Public House is slated to open late summer at corner of Queen and Kenilworth. The stately building will house a restaurant on the main level with a focus on local, fresh dishes. Upstairs will be home to The Cut, a live music venue.

The Sweet Oven is open at 1911 Queen Street East, just east of Woodbine. This is the (third) location for the family-owned business that specializes in homemade butter tarts. These are seriously good butter tarts (their signature flavour is raspberry, but don't miss the peanut butter or coconut, either). They were voted Best Butter Tart in the country by Canadian Living Magazine, so don't just take our word for it.

The Derma Bar recently opened at 1932 Queen Street East, at Elmer. The first medispa to open in the neighbourhood, they offer teeth whitening, injectables, IV vitamin therapy , micro-needling and more.

Kensington Market's Toronto Popcorn Company will open later this summer at 1948 Queen Street East. They'll be serving up more than 100 flavours of kettlecorn, in every sweet and savoury iteration imagineable. 

Isabella’s Boutique has been a beloved brunch spot for years, though in a tiny easy-to-miss location in the eastern-most stretch of Queen Street. They're relocating to a sweet new larger spot in just east of Lee. In mid July, they'll be serving their mochi-mochi pancakes, Karaage sandwiches and Instragram-worthy brunch dishes.

If you've picked up a can of the Beaches Brew Co, you'll be delighted to know that the brewery is opening its own brewpub later the summer. The brewery was founded by beaches resident Carl Pratt and its new home will be at Queen Street East at Kenilworth.

Set to open later this month, Blue Cloud Café (1934 Queen Street East) will serve healthy prepared foods to-go, along with coffee and tea.