Buy Local - Toronto

Toronto Farmers' Markets LJ feed

2008-06-06T23:30:53Z

For those interested, I just set up an LJ syndication feed for news items from the Toronto Farmers' Markets Network web site:

to_farmers_mkts

Add it to your friends list if you'd like to get occasional updates on new markets, seasonal eating, special events, etc.

X-posted from my own journal.

Valentines Day Sale @ Hart House

2007-01-28T04:25:56Z

VALENTINES DAY CRAFT-BOOK-ART FAIR AND SALE
Wed. Feb. 14 from 11:45am-2pm. Purchase a gift for your valentine at the
Valentine's Day Craft-Book-Art Fair and Sale and also enjoy a $5 Lunch.
Jewelry, pottery, paintings, zines, clothing, and other crafts will be
displayed for sale.
Hart House @ the University of Toronto

huge $ALE & party your sox off!

2006-12-08T14:04:26Z

Hey everyone,
it's p0isson's 1 year anniversary and in light of this, we have worked really hard in putting together a party that you all are invited to!

Deets:
When: Saturday January 6th, 2007
Where: The Gladstone Hotel (1214 Queen St. W)
Doors: 10PM (19+)
Cost: 5$ all proceeds go to the Make-a-wish-foundation

Everyone will get a free button at the door :D there will be prizes and raffles! Hope you all can make it. I'll probably post this again closer to the date. I also wanted to mention that we are having a major sale right now as well just in time for the holidays. All shirts are 20$ & FREE SHIPPING.

Please check us out

www.p0isson.com
that's a Zero.

Thanks y'allz!
x-posted.

Clothing Show + Tailor

2006-09-21T04:53:33Z

I didn't make it to the Clothing Show last weekend. How was it? Who went and what did you buy? Any new local designers that I should check out?

Also, I'm looking for a men's tailor. Can anyone recommend one?

"Canadian" Businesses

2006-08-31T16:18:18Z

Click below for an interesting editorial about the myriad of different definitions that can be used to define a Canadian business. Sounds like it would be straight-forward - Canadian owned and operated - but with a global economy, it's not as cut-and-dry as you might assume it to be.

http://www.cbc.ca/news/viewpoint/vp_mcfeat/20060825.html

What do you wish you could find locally?

2006-08-29T03:39:55Z

Hey everyone, what type of business(es) or products do you wish you could find locally?

Pita Pan, Noah's, The Health Shoppe

2006-08-27T03:08:20Z

Time to get this community talking again...

Pita Pan
Located on the East side of Church just North of Wellesley. Owned and operated for 13 years by a lovely couple, half of which I had the pleasure of meeting the other day. They make great cheap eats... my favourite is zucchini falafel... If you venture in there make sure to ask them what they recommend as a lot of their dishes/sides such as onion rings and samosas are not actually listed on the menu.

Noah's
Nothing new about Noah's, I do realize... However, they are Toronto-based and I must point out my recent discovery... They sell Blue Diamond Almond Milk far cheaper than anywhere else I've seen it, including Dominion. And if you've never had almond milk, you don't know what you're missing.

The Health Shoppe
http://www.healthshoppe.net/
Family-run health store business with two locations - one at Yonge & St. Clair and the other at 41 Charles St. W. I went to the Charles location, and they have Burt's Bees products at prices at least $2 less than the major chains like Pharma Plus. They also have a fantastic selection of other natural body products, natural baked goods and, as you might expect, supplements. If you're into that kind of stuff you really have to check them out.

Global Warming and Buying Locally

2006-08-02T21:58:59Z

As the heat wave continues to plague most of North America, my thoughts turn to the global warming crisis, and what might be done. One thing that has come up in multiple articles that your average Jill or Joe Citizen can do is to buy produce and other products locally... the reasoning being that your 'stuff' doesn't have to travel as far and therefore fewer fossil fuels are burned before it gets into your hands.

Any thoughts on this anyone?

p0isson.com Free Shipping Promo!!

2006-07-20T12:30:26Z

Hey Everyone

p0isson.com is having a promotion of FREE SHIPPING for the rest of July!!

If you haven't heard of us yet, we are a two person collaborative from toronto, who design and handprint silkscreened shirts & 1" buttons!

Please check out our site & take advantage of this wicked promo!

love | Rose&Steph

*NEW* Moth Dress Shirt $35

Ship Shirt $25

Bunnies! $25

buylocaltoronto @ 2006-05-11T16:35:00

2006-05-13T14:35:46Z

hey everyone!

i am in need of buttons. the ones that you can pin onto yourselves.
i could really use some help in regards to suggestions of business or stores that i can get them from. i need a large amount of them, and could really use a good bargain. thanks!

(i hope that this is okay to post)

Natural Works

2006-05-08T17:21:54Z

Hi there,

I own a small natural bath and body works company and am thinking of setting up a small store front somewhere in the GTA - need incredibly reasonable rent as, to date, my sales have all been word of mouth and online (www.naturalworks4u.com - updating the site - welcome feedback - I know, need my price list posted) - any thoughts? (or just too much competition with the Body Shop and Lush's out there and I should stay online?)

Thanks,

Victoria

Cheap Eats near the Downtown Core: Queen's Open Bakery

2006-03-27T21:19:54Z

On those days where I can't be ___ to bring my lunch to work I've started frequenting Queen's Open Bakery on the South side of Queen St. beside the Henry's Outlet store (just a bit further than St. Michael's Hospital which makes it two blocks East of the Eaton Centre). Despite the name, they don't just sell baked goods, but also delicious and very cheap meals (i.e. a HUGE plate of food for about $6 including tax). Menu normally includes a couple of different Asian dishes like Bul Go Gi, Chicken Teriyaki, Curry Chicken and more Western-inspired foods like barbecue chicken and salad. They also have the usual soups and sandwiches, as well as a beautiful selection of breads, cookies, squares and pastries.
One warning, though -- there isn't any place to sit in there, so you'll want to be picking up your food and heading somewhere with it. And it's quite busy in there around noon, so aim for before or after.

There you have it!

Is there anywhere else in the general vicinity that I should be aware of?

Just Opened! - Steam Cafe

2006-03-15T05:33:43Z

Okay, maybe not just, but close enough (it's been open for about a month now). Steam Cafe is located across from the Grand Hotel on Jarvis just South of Dundas.
Along with great coffees and teas (and they DO have soy milk), they also serve Dufflet cakelets, salads, fruit with yogurt and freshly squeezed juice. Large off-white armchairs occupy the front quarter of the cafe with little tables, chairs and benches behind. It's a very relaxing environment, and it feels a little posh without feeling stuffy. The barrista was friendly, helpful and attentive. It would be a great place for a casual first date.
Highly recommended. Please let me know if you end up checking it out.

Kids Stuff + Restaurant in Mississauga

2006-03-03T16:47:05Z

I have two questions for you today...

1. Does anyone know of any good locall-owned children's stores in the downtown area? I'm especially interested in stores that carry baby stuff.

2. This may be a ridiculous request, but here goes... Does anyone know of any good mid-range restaurants near Square One that are locally-owned or at least not part of huge chains? I'll be in the area and need a good place to have dinner.

Happy Friday!

p0isson meet-up in TO

2006-02-14T17:36:24Z

Hey Toronto,

We are two girls who run the site p0isson.com. Tomorrow we are meeting up with people around the city who want to buy stuff from us but want to avoid paying shipping & tax costs. If you want to schedule a meet-up with us, tomorrow at anytime just email us at: p0issonline@gmail.com and we will be glad to set something up!

We are posting this here because we are from toronto. We are completely independant and we started our website in dec 2005.

Barry Taylor promoed us on air on sunday, did anyone hear it?!

all of our shirts are silk-screened by hand!

please check out our site

Thanks!

♥ p0isson

if this post is inappropriate i will delete it immediately. i don't post in sites that don't allow advertising but because we are doing meet-ups tomorrow i thought it might be okay to let people know about it.

Neighbourhood: Church & Wellesley (ish)

2006-02-10T17:59:45Z

After a long delay, here's the skinny on the local places in my neighbourhood...

Cheap Eats

Red & White - on East side of Yonge just South of Maitland.
Type of food: Med. & Middle Eastern - the best falafel in the city, chicken & beef shwarma.
Ambience: Cafeteria style.

Restaurants

Il Fornello - East side of Church just South of Wellesley.
Yes, okay, I know this place is a chain, but it is a TORONTO-based chain, and unlike most chain restaurants it doesn't lack personality. I really like this location in particular -- the decor is really nice. If you go, definitely check out the washroom -- it's gorgeous. (Yes, washroom... singular...)
It's on the pricier side, but also won't break the bank.

Kathmandu - East side of Yonge just South of Maitland (actually it's beside Red & White as above)
Mmmmm... Nepalese (like Indian) food. The prices are cheap for what you get. They have great specials. And the people that work there are actually Nepalese. This somehow makes the experience more authentic. I highly recommend the butter chicken and the chicken momo's (like Japanese gyoza or Chinese dumplings).

Stores

Feed Me More Pet Food - on Wellesley just East of Church
Carry a wide variety of natural pet products and a number of their dog and cat toys were made locally. Their prices are rather high (as some of you have pointed out), however their selection is excellent.

Wow, what a scant selection of places I've mentioned... Can anyone help me out? Or, better yet, give us the skinny on YOUR neighbourhood.

Happy Friday.

p0isson.com 10day Tshirt $ale

2006-02-09T14:21:40Z

p0isson.com

FOR THE NEXT 10 DAYS p0isson.com are having a Tshirt $ale where ALL shirts are 20$ CANADIAN. This wont be happening frequently so if you want a shirt here's your chance :)

We sincerely appreciate all of your support!
lovep0isson

p0isson huge update

2006-01-20T22:30:31Z

Hey everyone,

p0isson.com just had a huge update.
here are just a few samples:

! shirts

! buttons

& more!

check it out!

All prices are in Canadian Dollars.
Suport independant businesses :D

We're also offering a permanent promotion if you refer 5 friends who spend over 25$ or more then you get a free shirt, just make sure they put your name and email in the checkout box.

♥ p0isson

Request for Entries Re: Toronto Neighbourhoods

2006-01-17T17:37:23Z

Hello there everyone,

I'm curious to know where the best places in your neighbourhood are. Where are the best little Mom & Pop restaurants? Where's the best bakery? Where's the gift shop with the best local goods? If you like, please post and include your neighbourhood in the subject line (i.e. Yorkville, Church & Wellesley, Bloor West) and include links. If your neighbourhood gets posted, maybe you could add to the original post through comments. My neighbourhood post forthcoming...

Happy Tuesday.

Soy Soya Plus

2005-12-30T01:27:04Z

Hey veggies, guess what? So Soya Plus products - like the green box of soy chips that rehydrate for chicken-like pieces for stir frys, are made in Markham! If you haven't tried their products, I highly recommend them. I buy them at Dominion, although I've seen them other places as well.

"We can have a party like it's [2005]..."

2005-12-29T14:05:22Z

Happy Holidays to all who celebrate/have celebrated.
And happy 2-long-weekends-in-a-row for those that don't.
For those that don't celebrate and don't get time off... my sympathies.

So what local digs are you all going to check out on New Years?

On a New Years' note, if you're looking for some cheap bubbly, try Zonte. Now if you're a champagne connoisseur, you'll probably think it's crap... which it is... but it's good crap in my opinion. It comes in a smaller-than-regular sized bottle and it's around $8 from the LCBO. And as previously discussed, it's Ontarian... since we don't produce wine in Toronto, that's about as close as we're going to get to local.

Coffee House Tales: Espresso Rose

2005-12-20T03:12:25Z

You must all think that I have a serious caffeine addiction. Actually, I don't drink coffee at all, but I do drink a lot of tea, and I like "going out for coffee" with friends -- a good (and cheap!) way to catch up.

Tonight I tried Espresso Rose which is on Yonge just barely north of Gerrard. I had a vanilla chai soy latte. It was good... quite good, although not as nice as the chai latte I had at Alternative Grounds (and more expensive and not organic or fair trade). But it's much closer to my neighbourhood, so I do appreciate that.

The interior is relatively small, although they do have a patio which will be useful in the summer. The place used to be a Second Cup, but they've definitely spruced it up since its franchise days. They serve soup, sandwiches and Dufflet cakes along with... well, coffee and tea, of course. Their advertising, as seen from the street, calls it "art deco"... I don't know much about the period, so I can't really comment on this too much, although they did have what looked like (to the layperson) some 'art deco-inspired' posters mounted on the walls.

Let me know if any of you check it out. I'd be interested in reading your impressions of the place.

first time poster :D

2005-12-18T22:47:54Z

hey everyone,

please visit

p0isson.com
for original hand printed silkscreened tshirts, 1" buttons, & more!
We're a brand new store
FULLY DIY by two girls from Toronto Canada!

Shirts are 25$ Canadian!
Buttons are 1$ CAD

etc.etc.etc.

for the rest of december we are also offering FREE shipping!

GO TO THE SITE!!

lovelovelove p0isson

Toronto Bus Review: Alternative Grounds

2005-12-18T22:47:24Z

So I finally made my way out to Alternative Grounds which is just south of Howard Park on Roncesvalles. I had a chai latte with soy milk (which was absolutely delicious) and I also bought a few things for a little "Secret Santa" present for work. Here's what I bought for under $20 including tax:

1 box of Equita Fair Trade Organic Earl Grey Tea
Cocoa Camino Fair Trade Mint Chocolate bar
Handmade organic Delight Fair Trade Chocolate Bark with Espresso Beans
Alternative Grounds Organic Mellow Morning Medium Blend Coffee

The place itself had a great vibe... lots of seating space and local art on the walls. Highly recommended. Thank you to those who recommended it to me.

Yes, it's STILL that time of year...

2005-12-17T16:03:00Z

As some of us are preparing for (dreaded?) family gatherings and such, does anyone have any suggestions for food items and hostess gifts that have been made in Toronto or sold by a local Toronto business?

The only thing I can think of is Surati Sweet Mart's Indian snacks (which are fucking fabulous by the way), and these aren't the first thing that come to mind to bring to holiday gathering... although they might work for New Years. I buy them at No Frills - at my No Frills they're normally on a stand all by themselves and not with the chips, etc. Good if you're a spice addict, like me.

Now I normally bake cookies (it's the one time every year that I pretend I'm domestic), but I decided not to this year because... well, because I was too damn tired. Does anyone know where I can buy locally made cookies? Are they horrendously expensive? My husband once bought a whole bunch of tiny shortbread cookies from a lady at the St. Lawrence Market, but I fear she is probably not there now as she had a table outside... um... yeah...

The only thing I can think of off the top of my head is some chocolate from http://www.nuttychocolatier.com/

And I have yet to check out Alternative Grounds, but I think I'll be doing that this weekend.