If you’re a foodie and you love Halloween, you’re in luck! Toronto has a lineup of fun and freaky culinary festivities to help you ring in the most spookiest day of the year.
Haunted Halloween Food Truck Festival
@cheeseheadz.to/Instagram
Prepare for a spooktacular foodie experience on Oct. 28 and 29. Don your most creative costume and feast on treats from vendors like Jerk Brothers, Heavenly Dreams Ice Cream, Cheese Headz and local craft brewers. 3701 Danforth Ave.
Blood curdling baking
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Join Nadège’s expert chefs for a Halloween treats master class on Oct 28. Elevate your culinary skills and discover the secrets behind Nadège’s renowned pumpkin pie. Plus you’ll become a chocolate tempering maestro in this delicious learning experience. 78 Queen St. W.
Creepy chocolate tea party
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Until Nov. 5, the Omni King Edward offers a chocolate-themed afternoon tea menu, priced at $75 per person, as part of the Toronto Chocolate Festival. Enjoy an array of chocolate delights, including cocoa shots and unique treats like cocoa-chipotle steak, chocolate orange jaffa madeleine and Hong Kong milk chocolate tea tiramisú. 37 King St. E.
Drive to Deadly Grounds
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If you’re up for a road trip, Deadly Grounds located in Courtice, Ont., offers year-round spookiness in the form of spine tingling concoctions like Campy Crystal Lake Latte and creepy pastries like Sinnamin Skulls and Monster Tuxedo cookies. 1413 Durham Highway. 2, Courtice
This month, a rare books Instagram shop called Bellwoods Books, which has gained quite a following for its collection of antique and vintage books, has opened its first brick-and-mortar location — in the basement in another book shop that is quite new to Toronto. Flying Books also began as a pop-up of its own, a “travelling bookstore” that would open in various local businesses in the city and bring owner Martha Sharpe’s collection of books to different neighbourhoods. In 2021, Flying Books found a permanent home, and now it’s providing the same opportunity for Bellwoods Books.
Flying Books
@flyingbooks_to/Instagram
Before Martha Sharpe opened the Flying Books publishing house, writing school and retail store on College Street, she was the publisher of House of Anansi Press, and later the editorial director of Simon & Schuster Canada.
In 2015, she started selling her own curation of books from a shelf in the now defunct Queen street gift stop Weekend Variety owned by her friend Katharine Mulherin. She aptly titled her micro pop-up “Flying Books,” and evolved it into a traveling shelf that operated temporarily out of various local businesses.
Two years later, Flying Books expanded to include a transportable writing school and a mentorship program led by writer Rudrapriya Rathore. The school offers a series of classes, some one-offs and others weeks-long, under the program direction of award-winning writer and teacher Amy Jones.
Always a publisher at heart, Sharpe began discussions with editor Emily Keeler to develop her own publishing house, and together they launched Flying Books Publishing in 2019. Sharpe’s retail selection was still mobile at the time, and the two women operated the publishing business remotely, acquiring their first two manuscripts — Marlowe Granado’s Happy Hour and Anna Fitzpatrick’s Good Girl.
In December of 2021, she signed a lease in the former Paintlounge space on College Street, erecting Flying Books’ first storefront. “It was really a bookstore that was developed in order to seed the publishing program,” she says. They added a third Toronto author to their publishing roster with Tomas Hachard’s City in Flames.
Sharpe gave the space a fresh look, lining the now white walls with new books from indie and big press houses alike, as well as new editions of classic works. Only the basement, which she reserved for storage up until recently, maintained the paint splatters of the former social painting business.
Bellwoods Books
@bellwoods_books/Instagram
Julie Malian has a full-time career in social work, but she’s long maintained a personal interest in collecting rare and vintage books. In 2019, she started to sell some of her books on Instagram to pare down her collection and found that there was a demand. Soon after she started selling from a booth at markets like the Sunday Antique Market, Parkdale Flea and Trinity Bellwoods Flea. When the pandemic started, she continued to sell from her Instagram and transitioned to offering free local delivery to customers.
At the time she also made a purchase from Flying Books, and reached out to Sharpe on Instagram to glean insight about her previous retail model as a traveling pop-up. They met in person for the first time, when Sharpe hosted a pre-renovation holiday pop-up right after signing the lease on her official brick and mortar location.
Malian became pregnant in 2022 and stopped doing book deliveries. After welcoming her first child, Sharpe reached out to her on Instagram and asked if she would be interested in occupying Flying Books’ basement space. Still on maternity leave from her full-time job, Malian felt it was the right timing.
@bellwoods_books/Instagram
“I think we both knew that we have a lot of overlapping customers,” Malian says. “Most of my customers who collect rare and vintage books also regularly collect new books, and are reading the latest that comes out.”
She officially opened the first brick and mortar location of Bellwoods Books in the lower level of Flying Books this month.
The floors are still splattered with paint, and Malian has decided to keep it that way. Her collection includes literature from the 1960 to 1990s, as well as antiquarian books published in the late 1800s, and very rare selections from the early 2000s. Malian also enjoys collecting vintage etiquette books from the 1970s, which Sharpe calls “hilariously quirky.”
A one-stop bookshop
Together, the businesses benefit from the contrast of old and new. Sharpe points out that you can find several new editions of Mrs. Dalloway upstairs, while you can find cool vintage editions downstairs.
Both are curated carefully by their owners, in addition to a team of booksellers in the case of Flying Books, though both owners agree that they share appreciation for many of the same authors, including Doris Lessing, Bell Hooks, Virginia Woolf and Sylvia Plath.
“I’m thrilled to have Bellwoods Books in the downstairs space here,” Sharpe says. “Julie is wonderful and her taste is exquisite. I started Flying Books inside the Weekend Variety, which was a very special store owned by my friend Katharine Mulherin. If it weren’t for Katharine, there would be no Flying Books, and I hope, similarly, that this arrangement creates an opportunity for Julie to grow her business.”
While Flying Books is open from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. nearly everyday (excluding Sunday when it closes at 5 p.m.), Bellwoods will operate exclusively on the weekend and by appointment during the week.
The Winter Village is set to make a grand return at The Distillery Historic District, igniting the festive spirit for the upcoming holiday season. This year’s event promises to be even more enchanting with the unveiling of a colossal 56-foot-tall Silver Fir Christmas Tree in Trinity Square, marking it as the tallest tree ever featured at the Distillery Winter Village.
The official grand opening of the event is scheduled for 6 p.m. on Nov. 16. Santa himself will illuminate the towering Silver Fir tree, ushering in the magic of the season. Tickets are required for this special opening night, and the proceeds from ticket sales will be directed towards three worthy charity partners.
“We look forward to welcoming back Torontonians and visitors from across Canada and globally,” said Rik Ocvirk, Vice President, The Distillery Restaurants Corp and Director, Experiences and Events, The Distillery Historic District. “The Distillery Winter Village is a picture-perfect holiday experience where friends and family gather to take-in the timeless romance and nostalgia of the holidays, stroll the cobblestone streets under the canopy lights, enjoy delicious food and drink, and shop our one-of-a-kind shops and vendor cabins.”
This year, The Distillery Winter Village will be open seven days a week (with the exception of Christmas Day) and will continue its run until the New Year.
The Distillery Winter Village has garnered acclaim as one of the world’s finest Christmas markets, as recognized by Frommers and CNN Travel.
Ticketing Information
In response to feedback from visitors, The Distillery Winter Village has introduced three tiers of ticketing:
General Admission Ticket: Priced at $15 (including HST)
Non-refundable
Non-exchangeable
Flex Ticket: Priced at $18 (including HST)
Non-refundable
Allows for two free date changes, with changes made by 11:59 p.m. the day before the scheduled visit
Changes are subject to date and time slot availability
Express Gate Entry: Priced at $30 (including HST)
Non-refundable
Offers a fast-track entry via Express Entry signs at all gates
Allows unlimited free ticket changes, up to the entry time of the planned visit, even if the new date/time is sold out
The event offers a photogenic setting with white and gold decorations, including a towering 56-foot Christmas tree, a new Candy Cane Forest, seven-foot snow people, enchanting canopy lights, and the iconic “Heart of Christmas” display. For music lovers, the Candy Cane Carolers lead daily sing-along sessions at various times, projecting lyrics onto an iconic building for easy participation. Santa awaits visitors in the Pure Spirits Courtyard, and roaming elves spread cheer. Shoppers can explore a diverse range of gifts, from stylish clothing and home decor to handcrafted accessories, gourmet food, and unique art, both in local shops and festively adorned vendor cabins. Food enthusiasts will appreciate seasonal cabins and outdoor bar experiences, including the new Feliz Navidad bar serving traditional Mexican flavours at the Distillery Historic District.
Explore Toronto’s rich past through the lens of its most historic bars. These iconic establishments have been witness to countless stories, celebrations and the city’s cultural evolution.
Join us on a journey through time as we revisit these five bars that have helped to shape Toronto’s history.
The Wheat Sheaf
@wheatsheaftavern/Instagram
From Great War soldiers, to hippies, all the way up to millennial’s, The Wheat Sheaf has poured one out for just about every generation this city has ever seen. Older than Canada itself, this pre-confederate bar has been a steadfast presence, surviving fires, Prohibition, and urban development. Initially a men’s-only spot until 1969, the building, , holds a mysterious tale of a tunnel connecting it to Fort York, though skeptics doubt its existence.
The Miller Tavern
Opened as the York Mills Hotel in 1857, the Miller Tavern was originally designed as a road house for travelers looking for a pint and a place to rest their horses. In the 20th century it took a debaucherous turn amongst high school students as the Jolly Miller. Now, the Miller Tavern is Hoggs Hollow’s most historic seafood restaurant.
The Maple Leaf Tavern
Maple Leaf Tavern (Dan Seguin, Good Hood, 2015)
Before the people of Toronto knew Great War, they knew the Maple Leaf Tavern. Opening in 1910, this bar was once known as the “kick and stab” for its less than inviting atmosphere. After undergoing a full remodel, the Maple Leaf Tavern is now one of the city’s classier joints. Serving steakhouse fare and a real community tavern atmosphere, this place is far from its days as a down and out drinking hall.
The Gladstone Hotel
The Gladstone (James Salman, 1952)
Opened in 1899, this turn of the century hotel was the safest in Toronto. Smack dab in the centre of Parkdale, this bar was filled with traveling workers and family members that were visiting the city. The Melody Barwas opened in the Gladstone lobby in the 50’s. The reimagined Gladstone House continues its commitment to culture, art, and diversity, preserving the building’s rich history and iconic original architecture.
The Black Bull
The Black Bull (City of Toronto Archives, 1972)
A Toronto landmark since 1833, this bar has arguably been around longer than any on this list. The reason this bar has been excluded for the title of Toronto’s oldest bar is that it was named the Clifton House for several decades before changing back to its original name, The Black Bull. A boarding house with a rough reputation, this was a meeting spot for farmers and city dwellers to relax over a pint or two. Today it sports a massive patio where Queen Westers come to sip sangria on Saturday afternoons.
With just over a week left of Halloween season, you might be wondering how to make the most of it. Luckily, Toronto is full of scary, creepy and ghostly events to give you a good haunting before Oct. 31! Here are nine thrilling and chilling Halloween events happening in Toronto, from haunted tours to spooky séances.
EERIE EVENTS
Eric Woolfe in Doc Wuthergloom’s Haunted Medicine Show.
Monster mash
Eldritch Theatre presents Doc Wutherloom’s Here There Be Monsters, a T.O. Halloween tradition since 1999, where Doctor Pretorious Wuthergloom, the infamous necromancer and arcane medicine showman, regales audiences with ghoulish tales, Oct. 25 to Nov. 5. 922 Queen St. E.
Commune with the dead
An intimate and genuine Victorian séance awaits a select group as the acclaimed Jaymes White brings his mystical event right to downtown Toronto. The terrifying Isabella Street Seance runs until Nov. 25. Tours start at 640 Church St.
Halloween in a museum
Embrace the Halloween spirit at ROM After Dark’s special event on Oct. 27, RAD: Trick or Treat, a costume-friendly party that transforms the entire museum into a spooky wonderland with activities like face painting, photobooths, crystal ball readings and a thrilling pumpkin scavenger hunt, all while enjoying live music. 100 Queen’s Park
Mind-bending shenanigans
Join Mysterion Mindreader at Jokers Theatre & Comedy Club in Richmond Hill, on Oct. 28, for a spine-chilling Halloween celebration featuring a full séance with the infamous “Walt the Doll,” known as “Canada’s Annabelle,” and experience Mysterion’s mind-bending psychic entertainment. 115 York Blvd.
TERRIFYING TOURS
Scary strolls
What could be spookier than a spine-tingling journey through Toronto’s dark history with the Original Haunted Walk? Delving into ghosts, graveyards and unsolved mysteries, the walk departs from the Hockey Hall of Fame’s courtyard for a chilling tour, revealing the city’s eerie and supernatural tales. 10 Front. St. W.
Ghost town à gogo
Experience an actual ghost town come to life at Haunting of Hexwood, a viral sensation turned spine-chilling immersive town of terror. Here, the supernatural blurs with reality, featuring eerie attractions and immersive horror, from Oct. 6 to 31, at the WFW Backlot Film Studio in Pickering. 3800 Sideline 32
Death march
Join a lantern tour of Fort York and its historic surroundings, where you’ll hear thrilling tales of a haunted lighthouse, the Battle of York, explore a burial ground and uncover the fort’s paranormal mysteries. 250 Fort York Blvd.
FUN AND FRIGHTFUL FLICKS
Courtesy rockyhorrorto.com
The Time Warp again
Don’t miss the Torontonian Halloween tradition at Hot Docs Cinema where the annual Rocky Horror Picture Show Halloween special offers a nightmarishly delightful experience as the cult classic plays onscreen alongside a live music performance. 506 Bloor St. W.
All the scares
The Revue Cinema has been hosting two+ weeks of horror flicks and special events, including the classic A Nightmare on Elm Street,The Blair Witch Project, a 45th anniversary screening of Halloween on Oct. 31 and much more. 400 Roncesvalles Ave.
As The Well, Toronto’s innovative 7.8-acre mixed-use community, nears completion — with its mix of old-world charm, spacious sidewalks, tree-lined streets, and an enticing row of roadside restaurants and patios — it’s time to get the inside scoop on the upcoming major restaurant openings.
Here are all of the amazing new restaurants that will be opening soon at The Well.
Bridgette Bar
@thebridgettebar/Instagram
With two locations already established in Alberta, Bridgette Bar, fuses culinary flair with culture. Their collaborative culinary team at the chef-driven bar plans on transforming fresh, local ingredients into seasonal delicacies, ensuring a unique year-round experience. Expect seafood-heavy small plates like oysters, crab toast and grilled octopus, while large plates focus mainly on meat dishes, think wood grilled beef strip steak and grilled farm chicken.
East Tea Can
@eastteacan/Instagram
Established in 2016, East Tea Can is a Middle Eastern culinary gem, offering a diverse menu curated by talented chefs. Beyond delicious flavours, the restaurant’s immersive experience includes aromatic teas and a vibrant Souq atmosphere. Anticipate a menu akin to the Mississauga location, featuring a hummus bar and an extensive selection of cold and hot mezze, salads, bowls, mana’eesh and grill items.
Aera
Aera, the new hotspot from Oliver & Bonacini (O&B) on 8 Spadina’s 38th floor is bringing peak indulgence with a luxe steakhouse, sushi bar, cocktail spot and rooftop terrace offering stunning downtown views. Chefs Anthony Walsh and Binit Pandey serve up 21st-century American deliciousness, from raw bar specialties to premium steaks.
L’Avenue
Since 1994, award-winning L’Avenue, hailing directly from Montreal, has been the go-to destination for brunch and breakfast enthusiasts. Known for its eccentric plates, generous portions, festive atmosphere and exceptional service, we can’t confirm if the Toronto menu will replicate the original’s French-inspired offerings, like duck Benedict, the ‘Sugar Shack’ plate and breakfast poutine, we can probably anticipate those infamous long queues.
La Plume Brasserie
Opening late November on Wellington Street West, La Plume, another restaurant from O&B is a chic two-level brasserie by executive chef John Horne, that promises a blend of timeless French classics and fresh seaside flavours. With a robust rotisserie program and tartare bar, the menu caters to diverse tastes. The venue includes a tucked-away speakeasy for late-night cocktails and bottle service. Serving lunch, dinner, weekend brunch and late-night drinks, La Plume invites you to experience unruffled Southern French fare in a stylish setting.
Lulu Bar
@thelulubar/Instagram
Calgary’s award-winning Lulu Bar guarantees an escape from the ordinary, offering a welcoming vibe reminiscent of a vacation hideaway right in your own backyard. With its Pacific-inspired menu, Lulu’s dishes are light yet bursting with flavour. Both the food and the drinks are influenced by the region between Southeast Asia and Hawaii and the Pacific Northwest. The menu is heavy on meat and fish dishes like BBQ crispy half duck and wood grilled branzino, as well as noodles, rice and dumplings.
Mado
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Mado, nestled in the lower ground area of The Well, Wellington Market, promises to be a haven for dessert lovers and food enthusiasts alike. Boasting over 80 dessert items and a tempting array of dishes, from traditional kebabs to vegan delicacies, Mado promises a culinary journey that transports diners to the vibrant streets of Istanbul.
Mandy’s Salads
@mandysalads/Instagram
Founded in 2004 by sisters Mandy and Rebecca Wolfe within a Montreal women’s clothing store, Mandy’s Salads has grown to eight locations in Montreal and, in March 2021, opened its inaugural Toronto spot on the Ossington strip, with a second location at The Well. The menu at Mandy’s Salads is diverse, presenting tried-and-true signature salads, grain bowls, and the opportunity to create your own with a variety of delicious ingredients.
National
At National you can expect delicious food, craft beers in a buzzy space. With communal tables, ample seating, and diverse entertainment options like ping pong and bowling, it’s an ideal spot to relax with friends or host private events.
The Dorset
Another upcoming hot spot from Oliver & Bonacini, The Dorset, draws inspiration from the British coastline and countryside. Executive Chef Ryan Lister (The Rabbit Hole) brings his culinary roots to downtown Toronto, offering an airy interior with a main floor bar and an elevated dining experience upstairs. From lunch and dinner to weekend brunch and Sunday roast, get ready to enjoy delicious contemporary British cuisine and cocktails.
Along with all the exciting new eateries, The Well will also be home to a number of cafes including De Mello and Quantum, gourmet grab & go like Blue Claw Lobster Shack, La Cubana and Hooky’s Fish & Chips, as well as speciality shops, including Aisle 24, Canada’s first 24-hour small format, autonomous, unmanned and cashier-less grocery and convenience store.
Morgan Knudsen is a paranormal investigator who acts as an expert on a number of reality-TV shows including Paranormal 911 and Haunted Hospitals. Her investigations on these shows and others often take her to Toronto, where, as it turns out her family has a long history including a certain great grandfather who had a hankering for ghostly happenings as well.
What piqued your interest in paranormal investigation originally?
I was experiencing a lot of interesting things going on in my own life. My parents and I lived in a very haunted location in this fourplex in B.C. And it was baffling to me because it was never a huge hot topic with my family at all. But what was going on in my place just really caught my attention. So, after I got over the fear of it, it became a strong curiosity.
So we are talking about paranormal activity, ghosts or something?
I would definitely categorize them in terms of the paranormal. I think a lot of it was generated by my own interest in the phenomenon and what was going on with my parents, and I experienced everything from seeing apparitions in the house to, at one point, I had an apparition rush at me. I was about nine at the time, and it scared the hell out of me. We had things going missing. We would see depressions, like people sitting on our bed. We had all sorts of stuff disappearing and reappearing in weird places. You know, all sorts of things that were pretty cool.
And so instead of running, you got into it and discovered something about your own family history?
It wasn’t until about six years into forming Entity Seekers Research and Teachings that I discovered that my great-great-grandfather had the same passion. And he founded the first paranormal association in Canada. It’s sort of an interlaced story, but it’s really cool.
So when was this and who is this person?
His name was Dr. Albert Durrant Watson and he was from the Toronto area. You know, it was the late 1800s. But he was a very famous physician in Ontario, and his house is actually a historical building now. He was a huge name in medicine. And he was a poet as well: a published, well-recognized poet in the Walt Whitman style of poetry. And so it was easy to track down information on him once I knew who he was. But it was something that side of the family never talked about. I don’t know why because his career — I mean, he published two books on the subject — spawned parapsychology in Canada.
How do you define paranormal?
It’s essentially things that are what we would consider out of the norm from, you know, the basics of the laws of physics. We now know that many of the laws of physics are being re-defined and broken at this point, through quantum studies and things like that. But I think it’s things that we’re coming into a knowledge of. I think back in the day, we would have said, paranormal is something that is just woo-woo, and we can’t explain it. Now I think the definition has shifted a little bit. And now we’ve got it where it’s stuff we haven’t been able to explain yet.
So we aren’t just talking about ghosts and things that go bump in the night?
When it comes to hauntings, anywhere there’s human emotion and human activity is really where you end up focused. Because I think a lot of the misconceptions around hauntings and things like that is that they are only caused by external circumstances. That’s just not true. A lot of the activities that we study and we record are generated by people and are interpreted by people. So paranormal and hauntings is really more about the living than it is about understanding disincarnate entities. Survival after death is a part of the study, but it’s not the entire study.
What are you hoping people take from your work with the paranormal?
You know, the main goal for me is always to get people more in touch with who they are, to connect them with the non-physical part of who they are and to understand that this phenomenon is some of the best relationships you’ll ever have in your entire life. When we start to understand this stuff, we realize that we’re not alone.
You work with a number of TV shows that film in Toronto. Are we a haunting hotbed?
I mean, there’s so much in depth of history. There’s so much activity in terms of people and energy, and it’s very different energy than almost anywhere else in Canada. So the hauntings there, I mean, the cases that come across our desk for Haunted Hospitals, a lot of them have come out of Toronto. And that area, I mean, it’s unbelievable the stuff that people are reporting.
Toronto’s Queen West district is now home to an exciting new addition — Bar Prima.
Culinary director Craig Harding and executive chef Julian D’Ippolito have joined forces to bring a unique blend of old-world charm and modern flair to the city’s dining scene.
Bar Prima is more than a restaurant; it’s an expression of the chefs’ love for the art of dining. Inspired by their globetrotting adventures, Harding and D’Ippolito wanted to create an exclusive yet timeless setting, a place where you feel undeniably special.
Under the expert guidance of chef de cuisine Nicholas Iaboni, Bar Prima’s kitchen promises a polished journey through Italian classics with cheeky yet calculated twists.
@barprima.to/Instagram
The menu takes a modern/minimal approach to Italian cuisine, focusing on handmade pasta and carefully curated mains. Be prepared for a tantalizing “Rockefeller,” featuring East Coast Diver Scallops and other modern takes on Italian American classics.
“I’ll never forget the time I dined at Truffles at the old Four Seasons, when I was a kid. It was formal, fun and unforgettable,” says Harding. “We wanted to emulate some of our favourite dining experiences from old taverns in New York City to Sunday red sauce dinners at our nonna’s house.
Step into Bar Prima, and you step into a different era. Designed by FutureStudio with branding by Biography Design,
the restaurant exudes old-world glamour with mahogany finishes, Klein blue leather and a striking marble inlay floor. The amber glass facade, handmade in Murano, Italy, welcomes you into a world of molten gold leaf ceilings and timeless white tablecloths.
“From the bartender shaking martinis in a bow tie to truffles shaved tableside by our chefs, we try to have fun and put a little bit of theatre into what we do,” says D’Ippolito.
For those visiting the restaurant for the first time, the Bar Prima team suggests putting your best (fashion) foot forward.
“Get dressed up! After all that we have been through in the last few years, it’s time to celebrate!”
If you’re a fashion lover, it’s hard not to let the shows and movies we love dictate what we wear next. Jeremy Allen White had his moment in the menswear world for his perfectly tailored white T-shirt from The Bear. Succession was practically a trend in itself, sparking the rise of so-called “quiet luxury.” And Barbie had the entire world doused in pink for months on end.
If you love emulating your favourite celebrities’ on-screen looks, at The Dressing Room on Queen West, you can buy the actual garments worn on screen.
Started by Mara Wood just last year, The Dressing Room sources clothing directly from the sets of TV and film. Wood worked as a member of key wardrobe for decades, dressing personalities from CTV, Master Chef Canada, Great Canadian Baking Show and many others.
“I’m 60 years old,” says Wood. “Sometimes you work 12- to 16- hour days and you feel like you’re moving your house every day because you’re taking so many clothes with you. Over the 30 years of working in the industry, I’ve collected different pieces that I absolutely love so rather than selling them online, I put these out there for people to enjoy.”
In 2022, Wood experimented with the idea of selling her collection through brick-and-mortar at a pop-up on Eglinton. The short-term lease turned out to be a success, kickstarting a permanent move to Queen Street West.
Since opening in one of the trendiest shopping neighbourhoods in the city, the boutique has attracted exactly the shoppers you would expect — fashion influencers, especially the vintage-loving kind. Toronto’s top style influencers have flocked to the store, posting their vintage finds and complimenting the extensive selection.
The store’s rapid success can in part be credited to Wood’s unique influence as an owner and the staff’s ability to educate customers on the story that each piece tells. Wood admitted that while on some occasions she either doesn’t remember or isn’t allowed to share the story, she always volunteers what she can.
The Dressing Room carries a range of clothing, much of it worn by extras in the background of some of your favourite TV shoes. Because of this, the clothing is suitable for all kinds of budgets, ranging from a $10 faux leather handbag to a $10,000 Cartier watch necklace.
Giving this clothing a second life is a crucial aspect of Wood’s business. The topic of sustainability was on her mind when she saw her storage locker filled with clothing, and has been since then.
“I saw a documentary a while ago on all of the T-shirts in the world and I was disgusted to see how much waste and landfill there was,” Wood says. “I thought if I go through that storage locker, I could get people to reuse this beautiful clothing that people put their heart and soul into making instead of throwing it away.”
The Dressing Room is constantly evolving its collection as Wood continues to bring in wardrobes of old and new. For all you know, the next dress you buy may have been worn by a celebrity.
The city’s pizza game is getting a massive upgrade as the famous Prince Street Pizza from New York City is all set to make its Canadian debut in Toronto.
Renowned for its signature “spicy pepperoni squares,” this iconic pizzeria will be calling The Well at 472 Front St. West home, marking its first-ever location in Canada. The Well, a sprawling mixed-use development, promises to be a culinary hub, boasting not only Prince Street Pizza but also a lineup of other big-name spots.
A family-run establishment, Prince Street Pizza gained its pizza royalty status since its inception in 2012 in New York’s Nolita neighbourhood. The secret behind their success lies in the use of quality ingredients, including homemade mozzarella and sauces crafted from authentic Sicilian recipes. Their delicious square slices also known as the Original Soho Squares are topped with crispy pepperoni and thick crusts and have become a symbol of pizza perfection.
Expect the Toronto menu to mirror New York’s, featuring favoruites like the top-selling Spicy Spring square pizza with Fra Diavolo sauce, fresh mozzarella, spicy pepperoni and pecorino Romano. Explore Neapolitan-style options like the Boozy Broome with vodka sauce, prosciutto and mozzarella. Perfect for smaller appetites, try the pizzettas, consisting of four slices ideal for your little pizza monsters and a small selection of salads and mozza balls.
Toronto pizza enthusiasts can look forward to indulging in these delicious creations starting October 26, as Prince Street Pizza takes its place among the culinary stars at The Well. This highly anticipated development already includes acclaimed establishments like La Cubana and Lobster Burger Bar.
In addition to its flagship New York location, Prince Street Pizza has expanded its presence with restaurants in California and Miami.
Stay tuned for Prince Street Pizza’s grand opening in Toronto by following their Instagram for the latest updates and exciting news!
As the weather gets colder, it becomes the optimal time to enjoy some of the amazing art that Toronto has to offer. If you’re looking for somewhere you can get dressed up for a night of culture with friends, look no further than the Canadian Opera Company!
Whether you’re an opera aficionado or new to the art form, the Canadian Opera Companywelcomes everyone to experience the transformative power of opera filled with the emotions, drama and melodies that will stay with you long after the final curtain falls.
This season, the Canadian Opera Company’s repertoire offers fresh takes on classics that are unique to Toronto. There will be six mainstage operas, including five being shown in Toronto for the first time!
A scene from the Canadian Opera Company’s production of Fidelio, 2023, photo: Michael Cooper
Highlights this season include Fidelio — known as Beethoven’s only opera — a political drama given a modern twist thanks to the direction of Matthew Ozawa. You’ll be on the edge of your seat as you watch Leonore disguise herself as a man to go undercover in the prison she suspects her husband is being kept in as a political prisoner.
A scene from the Canadian Opera Company’s production of La Bohème, 2023, photo: Michael Cooper
There’s also Puccini’s whirlwind romance, La Bohème, following the lives of struggling artists as they search for love in Bohemian Paris. And the Toronto production features a love story of its own — a real-life married couple star as the show’s young lovers!
Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts. Photo: Sam Javanrouh
If you’ve always wanted to visit the opera, now is your chance: the Canadian Opera Company is offering a 15 per cent discount on tickets using the code COC15.
Challenge your preconceived notions about the opera by seeing for yourself the power of this captivating art form. Minutes into a performance, you’ll see how the opera transcends age, background and even prior exposure to the art form. With powerful music and moving performances, prepare for an unforgettable experience for all — opera is an art that truly speaks to the soul!
R. Fraser Elliott Hall at the Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts, photo: Lucia Graca
The opera also offers a rare opportunity to dress up for a night out in the city — grab that outfit you’ve been saving for the perfect event and take a few photos inside the beautiful Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts for a true night to remember.
A timeless experience that celebrates the fusion of tradition and innovation, this season’s productions will resonate with today’s audiences and bring something new to each attendee.
So this season, try something new and visit the Canadian Opera Company to immerse yourself in the bewitching world of opera, where extraordinary voices, stunning visuals and powerful storytelling come together to create unforgettable performances.
Whether you’re a ghost hunter or just someone looking for a bit of a scare, Ontario seems to be bustling with paranormal activity of all kinds. This Halloween, take a local road trip to one of the spookiest haunted inns and hotels in Ontario.
These three locations are home to local lore about forlorn lovers, stubborn former residents and even a wronged Canadian soldier. Who needs a Halloween party this year! Hop in the car and explore one of these Ontario ghost hotels instead.
Inn at the Falls in Bracebridge
You’ll find a quiet-looking Victorian manor at the top of the waterfalls located in Bracebridge, Ont. But many visitors stop by this town solely to investigate the manor, which now operates as the Inn at the Falls, for paranormal activity. Reports say that there are up to four separate spirits haunting those halls.
The building started as a private residence in the 1870s and was soon bought by judge William Crosby Mahaffy. He lived there until his death in 1911, and visitors say he is likely one of the ghosts haunting the inn now. Patrons of the inn have noticed a distant apparition closely resembling the portrait of the judge that still hangs on the walls of the inn, and some have even reported having conversations with him without knowing they were, allegedly, communicating with a ghost.
Mahaffy’s former bedroom is said to be haunted by a woman in a long dress, and people staying in the room have seen her drift from one side of the room to the next before drifting off. If you’re easily scared, we recommend you keep your eyes shut as tight as you can overnight — although you might still notice the sudden temperature changes, apparently a common occurrence where ghosts are concerned.
The Prince George Hotel in Kingston
The Haunted Walk/Facebook
Kingston is one of the most haunted places in Ontario, from the Kingston Penitentiary to Fort Henry, which is the site of oft-reported paranormal activity. But the Old Prince George Hotel likely takes the cake.
The former hotel was originally the home of the Herchimer family in the 1800s. Their daughter, Lily, fell in love with a sailor — a relationship her parents definitely didn’t approve of. When her lover happened to visit the town, Lily made sure to hang a lit lantern in the window to let him know when it would be safe to visit. Alas, as is often the case in the 1800s, the fire caused an accident — a gust of wind blew the lantern into her room when she fell asleep, and she reportedly died in the fire.
If you’re in the neighbourhood, you might see her figure still standing at her third floor window, waiting for her lover to return.
The Olde Angel Inn in Niagara
Niagara-on-the-Lake may be a sweet spot for a visit now, but back in 1813, it was the site of an American invasion during the war of 1812. But the Ontario building of the Olde Angel Inn is believed to have been built back in the late 1700s — and so, of course, it’s haunted by ghosts in its halls.
It’s reported a Canadian militia officer was killed at the inn (which was named the Harmonious Coach House before 1815). Captain Colin Swayze stayed an extra few days in the town before joining the British retreat, hoping to see the woman he believed to be his true love. Unfortunately, American soldiers were sent to search the inn, and though Swayze tried to hide, he was eventually fatally wounded.
Visitors say the ghost of the captain haunts the grounds of the inn, and footage has even been caught of a ghostly shape wearing a soldier’s uniform. The owners of the inn keep a British flag flying out of an abundance of caution — it’s believed Swayze’s ghost will remain harmless as long as it stays there.
Fair warning to all the Americans hoping to stay at the inn for a few days — you might be visited by a particularly angry ghost at night!
