The Leslieville Flea announces two-day holiday market at Jimmie Simpson

Flea markets are havens for finding one-of-a-kind gems, and the Leslieville Flea is no different.

Back this season with a two-day holiday market at Jimmie Simpson Recreation Centre, organizers say over 55 vendors will attend each day with a variety of unique and affordable vintage items for everyone on the holiday gift giving list.

The market is taking place Saturday, Dec. 8 and Sunday, Dec. 9. Admission is always free and there will be food, coffee, music and a festive photo booth for a seasonal selfie, with proceeds going to CAMH.

Plus, the U of T Glee Club will be dropping by to sing carols from 2 p.m. - 5 p.m. on the Saturday.

Peruvian photo exhibit and pop-up shop coming to the east end

Emerging local artist Isabel Lavandeira presents MANTAS, a colourful exhibit and pop-up shop celebrating the lives of Indigenous women from the Peruvian Andes.

Shop one-of-a-kind textiles, jewelry, ceramics and accessories made in the heart of Peru.

The free event is taking place Nov. 24-28 at The Riverdale Hub, located at 1326 Gerrard St. E

Visit isabellavandeira.com for gallery hours and documentary screening times. 

40th Anniversary Auction and Benefit for the South Riverdale Child-Parent Centre

The South Riverdale Child-Parent Centre is a haven for parents, caregivers and children to play, learn and grow. Imagine a place where babies and young children are given the opportunity to interact and play with a variety of age-appropriate toys, and parents are supported by the staff in learning new parenting skills.

The 40th Anniversary Auction and Benefit for the South Riverdale Child-Parent Centre will be on Nov. 15 from 7 p.m. - 11 p.m. at the Jam Factory, 2 Matilda St.

To purchase your tickets now, click here.

Inside the Eastside: Local real estate report

GOODHOOD has partnered with The Richards Group Re/Max Hallmark to bring you a local real estate series with the hottest market news, the best resources for your home and inside info on buying and selling in Leslieville, Riverside and other neighbourhoods in Toronto’s east end.

Toronto’s east side continues to be one of the hottest areas of the GTA, with increasing prices fueled by high demand and lower inventory.

Although properties in Toronto’s east end have been on the market for longer than this time last year, they are still selling for more. The price of detached homes are up 11% as are condos by 8%, while semi-detached homes had the biggest boost — a 16% increase from last October.

Semi-detached homes are becoming a fast favourite for new families; they are selling 10% faster than they did in October 2017, and sold prices just keep climbing with no trajectory of slowing down. In fact, semi-detached homes account for 39% of sales, followed by condos at 28% and detached houses at 17% in the past year.

An emerging trend in the east end, and Toronto as a whole, is the investment in mid-rise condos. There has been a decline in investment proposals for the huge tower projects that populate the downtown core as the market continues to call for more family-friendly units in quiet neighbourhoods.

Development has gotten underway at the highly anticipated Wonder Condos. The eight-storey space will have 286 units with a mix of lofts and townhomes.

Stephen Price, chief executive of Graywood Developments, shared: “…a two-bed in Wonder is in the $600,000 range; you simply can’t buy a house in Leslieville for $600,000 … there are no real housing alternatives available in the community for under $1-million. There’s a huge appetite for medium density in Toronto. Many don’t want to live in the downtown core, this buyer is more interested in being in a community and there is a greater propensity to buy larger, more livable units.”

Toronto’s housing market showed ongoing signs of stability in October as prices for condos and semi-detached homes jumped, even as total unit sales were little changed. The housing market continues to recover after a slowdown earlier this year in which tougher mortgage qualifications took effect, in addition to a rise in mortgage costs. The beginning of the year had a rough start, as the rule changes made it more difficult to borrow for a home.

The 7,492 sales recorded in October 2018 represent a 6% year-over-year increase and a 1% decline when measured month-over-month to September 2018. The increase in demand bumped up price appreciation for this month, with average sale prices for resale homes up 3.5% year-over-year, now reaching $807,340.

If you have questions about the market and the neighbourhoods — whether you’re hoping to get into the community or make your next move — get in touch with The Richards Group at info@therichardsgroup.ca or call 416-699-0303 to get the conversation started. Search local listings in Toronto’s east end.

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The Richards Group Re/Max Hallmark has the honour of being East Toronto’s agency of choice as a result of their ability to help so many clients move their lives forward. They have redefined real estate with an experience of total care, unlocking the true potential of your home while delivering industry leading results, so your next move brings you closer to your wealth and lifestyle goals.

Vegan holiday market on this Saturday at Ralph Thornton Centre

The East End Holiday Market is taking place Saturday, Nov. 10 at Ralph Thornton Centre.

Some 30 local vendors will be on showcase with local, handmade and eco-friendly products, fashion, art and vegan food and product vendors.

In support of Toronto Street Cats, every donation at the door gets a raffle ticket for a prize with over $200 in goodies, including products, coupons and discounts from the market’s vendors.

Vendors at the East End Holiday Market include Animal Liberation Kitchen, Art and Music Den,
ChocoSol, Dogs of the Ganges Society, Faucher Illustration, Foresite Jewellery, Green vs Grey, Incense Republic, Lovely Life Lips, Pluma Temple and Vegan Gluten Free Nerds

Admission is free for the event, which runs from 12 p.m. - 5 p.m at 765 Queen St. E.

For more information, see the event page on Facebook.

The Unplugged Workshop is moving to Gerrard

Photo: The Unplugged Workshop

The Unplugged Woodshop is moving to a new east end location.

The hand tool-focused woodworking school, which has been operating near Dundas and Carlaw for nearly three years, is making its home in the heart of the rapidly changing Gerrard and Jones neighbourhood.

The new space will offer 1,100 sq. ft on the main floor with an additional 350 sq. feet downstairs.

Classes start in mid-October. Check out theunpluggedwoodshop.com for more.

Coffee and Clothing launches cafe and vintage shop on Pape in Toronto's east end

Photo: Dean Seguin

Coffee and Clothing is a new shop on Toronto’s east side for, well, just that — coffee and clothes.

With a straight-to-the-point name that leaves no room for interpretation, the space recently popped up on the short stretch of Pape north of Gerrard.

Equal parts cafe and vintage clothing store, the shop is a family-owned joint venture between Zoe’s Coffee Roasters and Wins Above Replacement. 

The coffee bar serves up the spectrum from drip to espresso drinks, pour overs to cold brew. A loyalty program gets you a bag of beans after 10 coffees. There are also a selection of salads and bowls, plus baked goods.

The selection of men’s and women’s clothing is small but very well curated with lines such as Vince, Gap and some old school Jays gear.

There’s also a housewares selection, made up mostly of vintage ceramics including mugs and dishes, plus textiles and throws.

The store has an expansive back patio — you’d never expect from the street — that’s larger than the shop space itself.

Coffee and Clothing is now open at 348 Pape Ave. or check them out online.