68 h. ago This new Toronto sandwich shop is hidden inside a convenience store

Toronto's newest banh-mi restaurant is the definition of a hidden gem: it's literally tucked inside a neighbourhood convenience store.Sandwich shops in Toronto are a dime a dozen, and that number only seems to grow by the day. Now, don't get me wrong: I am a sandwich fanatic. If it can be placed between two pieces of bread, odds are, I'm opting for that.So, when I say that sandwich shops in Toronto are a dime a dozen, I don't mean to suggest it's a bad thing, only that newcomers greatly benefit from some element of novelty to rise above the noise, like how Slammie Sammies is attached to a carwash, or one member of Tutto Panino's founder team happens to be Charlotte Day Wilson.They're not gimmicks, per se, and the sandwiches these spots serve are certainly strong enough to stand on their own, but sometimes it just helps when you've got an intriguing edge to stand out.In the case of Leslieville's so-new-it's-only-soft-opened Oi Banh Mi,...

Other

3 d. ago Chris Selley: Upset about the state of Canada? Why not pretend it’s better?

When you're as bad at solving problems as the Liberal federal government, pretending problems don't exist becomes a remarkably compelling option

Economics

8 d. ago Chris Selley: Quebec’s war on religion goes to a whole new level

When Quebec politicians talk about 'religion' in this context, roughly 97 per cent of the time, they mean Muslims

Economics

1 week ago Toronto cafe and bar shares vulnerable post about its fight to stay open

The future of a Toronto neighbourhood café and bar hangs in the balance, as months of low foot traffic and high rent prices have made its survival past 2026 an uncertainty. Buvette Pacey, located near Queen Street East and Parliament Street, is a cozy, Queer-owned coffee-to-cocktails shop known for its seasonal drinks and community events, like sapphic wine nights and Wednesday chess club. Until 6 p.m., the hybrid café-bar (and might we add, a quintessential gathering space for the neighbourhood's four-legged friends) serves up coffee shop staples like espresso, tea lattes, and special seasonal drinks, from Mexican hot chocolate to miso-caramel apple cider and banana cardamom lattes."It's 5 o'clock somewhere" is most definitely the motto here, as beer and wines that lean heavily toward the low-intervention side are served all day. Despite all its offerings, the shop's owner-operator, Shabri Kapoor, ...

Other

1 week ago Chris Selley: Toronto’s nightmare is apparently neighbourhood shops and cafés

Nearly everyone in this city says they like the idea of small neighbourhood retail. Many are lying

Economics

1 week ago Vivian Bercovici: The Toronto Jews caught in a real life nightmare on Elm Street

The victims of the attack at Toronto Metropolitan University discuss their harrowing experience

Other

2 w. ago Chris Selley: The shocking number of criminal trials being called off due to delays

One in seven cases of sexual assault in adult courts in Canada collapses before trial

Economics

2 w. ago Chris Selley: Here’s to the MP who’s not afraid to denounce the Liberals’ ‘national school lunch’ program

Hungry kids and their parents need money for food, not nationwide commitments

Society

2 w. ago Toronto neighbourhood rallying to save aging shopping plaza from demolition

A proposed multi-tower redevelopment of Toronto's first suburban shopping plaza has riled up a local councillor, who has embarked on a campaign to send developers back to the drawing board.A proposed redevelopment of Lawrence Plaza at Bathurst and Lawrence would involve the demolition of the 72-year-old shopping centre and construction of as many as eight residential buildings.Conceptual plans to redevelop the Lawrence Plaza property at 534 Lawrence Ave W. first emerged in early 2025 and were followed in June by a more fleshed-out concept from developer RioCan, in a joint venture with property owner the Milestone Group.However, the project has not been met with the warmest reception by a long-serving local politician.Local city councillor Mike Colle has taken a stand against the development, rallying neighbourhood support to stop the redevelopment of the plaza."This is our Town Centre and Much More than a Plaza," wrote Colle, clarifying that "C...

Other

2 w. ago Toronto store around for 12 years gets new start after forced closure for condos

A local, affordable grocer forced out by a condo development this past summer is preparing for a long-awaited comeback just a few steps from its former home.Residents around Yonge Street and Davisville Avenue voiced their concerns over the summer as a block of neighbourhood shops on the northeast corner was vacated to make way for a new condo project.The abrupt clearance swept out several long-standing businesses, including two budget-friendly grocers, namely Fruits Basket and Fresh Buy Market, as well as a neighbourhood sports bar.The project sparked frustration among local residents, many of whom pointed out that the two grocers were vital for some community members, including seniors, who relied on the walkable stores in place of farther, and higher-priced chains like Metro.Among the business casualties was the decades-old sports bar, Kramer's Bar & Grill, which, aside from its staple chicken wings and pints, became known for its community events, like triv...

Culture

2 w. ago Chris Selley: The NDP leadership race looks more like a death march

When the NDP succeeds provincially, it’s usually as the centre-left option in a de-facto two-party system. In Ottawa, that job is taken

Politics

3 w. ago Chris Selley: Of course the poppy is political. That’s not a bad thing

Arguably, poppy politics is more important than ever

Politics

3 w. ago Toronto coffee shop permanently closing after landlord refuses to renew lease

A neighbourhood coffee shop in Toronto is gearing up to close its doors next year after its landlord decided not to renew its lease. Coco's Neighbourhood Coffee Shop, a cozy café in Little Italy known for staples like espresso-based drinks, matcha lattes, and apple cider, plus a variety of baked treats, will serve its last customers in January.In a heartbreaking announcement shared on Instagram, the coffee shop's owner, Nicole, revealed that Coco's landlord declined to renew their lease. Although they were reassured that they were perfect tenants, the landlord has decided to hand over the space to his sister, who will open a homeopathy clinic in place of the cafe. Unfortunately, the news came after the coffee shop had invested heavily in the space, including adding a new patio. While Nicole shared that the business has been trying to find a new location, working under a limited budget and a short timeline meant that Coco's was ultimately un...

Other

3 w. ago RECURRING ‘NIGHTMARE’: City Hall’s sweeping rezone idea returns

An unpopular plan that could allow bars and pot shops into every corner of Toronto is back

Other