These local businesses in the heart of Toronto are reinventing food, fashion, beauty and service while bringing joy to customers’ shopping experiences.
Narnia
What’s going to be hot this spring?
Skirts are resurfacing after taking a break for a few seasons. Ankle grazing florals, denim and cotton mini’s or sleak pencil’s add a new dimension to your wardrobe. Feminine sundresses abound – and the new ‘running shoes with everything’ trend brings a young, casual vibe to almost everything in your closet.
What’s new for your business?
This season we understand more and more how the fashion industry can reduce its impact on the environment. We continue to be aware and add more brands that are eco-responsible in their production practices.
Why do you think your customers select your business over others?
Our relaxed atmosphere, great fashion, and extensive selection set us apart – not to mention the heart we put into helping our customers choose the perfect piece.
Who is your inspiration/role model?
Audrey Hepburn – for her grace and well tailored elegance and for popularizing the LBD and black ballet flats. Cher – the original bohemian babe in the 60’s and 70’s, rocking mini dresses, fringe vests and crochet anything! Brigitte Bardot – for her dark eyes and sexy style, flaunting her curves with confidence and elegance.
3236 Yonge St. + 416 487 7287
Acutoronto Fertility and Wellness Clinic
What’s new for your clinic in 2020?
The introduction of Low Light Laser Therapy! Red light and infrared light aids in injury recovery, reduces inflammation, but most importantly, we are using it to help improve egg and sperm quality for couples who are struggling with poor ovarian reserve and poor egg quality.
How long have you been in business?
We’ve been in business for 15 years this March! We’ve grown into our vision of creating a team of caring, passionate professionals who strive to educate and empower our clients with their health and wellbeing.
Describe your team.
Our amazing team of compassionate practitioners are just as passionate about what they do as we are. We work closely to provide cohesive treatment options for our patients. Our process includes evidence-based research to help patients make informed decisions. For 15 years our focus has always been on male and female fertility as well as pregnancy, making us leaders in our industry.
Why did you choose your industry?
We’ve seen our patients transform their health, their wellness and their lives. This transformation is almost immediate. Patients walk into our clinic and feel like a different person when they leave – from stressed and anxious to calm and relaxed.
2401 Yonge St., Suite 215 + 416 486 5222
Holy Chuck
What’s new for your business for 2020? Do you have a new feature/item/service or have you recently renovated?
We have a few great new items on our menu like two new crispy chicken burgers and hot dogs!! We are also now serving Halal lamb and gluten free keto paleo buns.
What makes your business unique?
We grind all of our aged beef in front of our customers and we have a huge selection of burgers and an incredible selection of milkshakes made with 100% real ice cream.
Describe your team.
My team is amazing, they are all so creative and innovative and my customers are always commenting on how friendly and hardworking they all are!
What has been your proudest moment in business?
My proudest moment is seeing the looks on my customers’ faces when they eat my food. Also when I hear the words “This is the best burger and milkshake I have ever eaten! It’s priceless!
What’s your secret to success?
My secret is having a true passion and love of food, combined with hard work and some risk taking.
1450 Yonge St. I 4421 Hwy. 7 I 586 Yonge street
Potato Skins Slipcovers
What’s going to be hot this spring?
Innovative outdoor fabrics for use indoors, washable high performance fabrics, vibrant florals, soothing pastels and textured fabrics.
What’s new for your business in 2020?
Locally made to order Iake and Canadiana themed pillows. A larger selection of outdoor fabrics and custom decorative pillow options for a pop of colour.
What’s the best thing about being on this street?
Our success is a direct result of the great neighbourhood we are located in, and the many loyal clients that keep coming back to us to have more pieces covered. New developments in the area are bringing new customers who want to update what they have and make a positive impact environmentally, repurposing what they already have.
Why did you choose your industry?
I recognized a need for quality designed covers. Everyone has to sit on something–sofas and chairs are the focal point of any comfortable room. The adaptability of slipcovers offer a completely different look while still being easy to take off and wash.
What is the greatest advice you’ve ever received?
A mentor advised me to always oversee production from start to finish, We are proud to design, manufacture, and sell our products locally.
2073 Yonge St. + 416 484 6299
Pho King Fabulous!
What’s your favourite thing about the neighbourhood?
Yonge and Eglinton is one of the best neighbourhoods to live and to work in Toronto. You can find everything you need within walking distance: great restaurants, shopping, and entertainment. The one thing I like most about this neighbourhood is that it is very lively and uplifting, even during the cold winter months.
What is your secret weapon for business success?
Pho King Fabulous has become known as one of the best pho places. We were awarded Top 100 Best Restaurants, as well as Top 10 vegan and non-vegan restaurants in Toronto. Our secret weapon: we continually strive to keep customers happy by maintaining high quality of food and providing fast and friendly service.
Do you have any famous or interesting customers?
Pooja Handa visited us last year and told us she really loved our Vegetable Noodle Soup. We have a great selection of vegetarian and vegan dishes on our menu and that earned us blogTO’s Top 10 Vegan Non-Vegan restaurants in Toronto. We pride ourselves on being a place where groups with varying dietary needs can enjoy a quality meal together.
2411 Yonge St. + 647 352 5288
Gidon Aesthetics & MediSpa
What’s going to be hot this spring? New lines/trends etc.
Body contouring with focused ultrasound will be very popular this spring in preparation for summer. It is a painless, non-surgical reduction of stubborn fat deposits with no downtime. Three treatments, 2 weeks apart are recommended.
What’s new for your business for 2020? Do you have a new feature/item/service or have you recently renovated?
We are pairing radio frequency microneedling with specialized serums tailored to our clients’ concerns. This combination treatment results in smooth, radiant skin with a youthful glow.
What makes your business unique?
As a cosmetic dermatologist, I have extensive experience with lasers and injectables. I understand all aspects concerning skin and can create individualized treatment programs utilizing scientifically proven effective procedures and products. I strive to give my patients the best possible results in a safe, caring environment.
Why did you choose to go into your industry?
Cosmetic dermatology allows me to combine my artistic skills and in-depth knowledge of skin to enhance natural beauty, make patients happy and improve their self-confidence.
1849 Yonge St., Suite 307 + 416 483 4541
Belman Dental Centre
How long have you been in business?
I have been in practice for 27 Years! Still loving it, more and more as time goes by actually.
What makes your business unique?
There are lots of dentists out there and they all do good work, we try to go a huge step beyond to make sure our patients are happy and comfortable. And, our office is a really cool space (think NYC loft) and has a great family vibe!
Describe your team.
The team at Belman Dental Centre are skilled, experienced professionals but, more importantly, we are all also warm, welcoming and fun. Yes, going to the dentist can be fun!
Why did you choose to go into your industry?
I’m passionate about people and a huge perfectionist. Dentistry is a blend of art and science. It gives me the opportunity to work my craft while developing friendships with my patients.
What is the greatest advice you have ever received?
“Your patients will never care how much you know until they know how much you care!”
What’s your secret to success?
I have always cared very deeply about my work, my team and my patients! That is the compass with which I make every decision at work.
1881 Yonge St., Suite 403 + 416 486 1136
C’est Bon
What makes your business unique?
One of the most unique things about the restaurant is the name, C’est Bon, which means “it’s good” in French. It’s quite an unconventional name for a Chinese restaurant but it relates to the greatness of the cuisine and my Taiwanese-French background.
Why do you think your customers select your business over others?
We’ve been in business since 2000 and we’ve evolved over the years with the support of our loyal clientele. Our location was renovated in 2018 and our customers have been enjoying our new interior. We can’t wait to open our patio and begin enjoying our outside space again!
What’s new for 2020? Do you have a new feature/item/service?
We now specialize in authentic Szechuan cuisine with select popular Thai dishes and customer favourites are plentiful. Among them: General Tsao’s Chicken, Crispy Ginger Beef, Seafood Cantonese Chow Mein and Sweet & Sour Chicken. The restaurant is most well known for its Basil Chicken which is prepared in a homemade sweet soy sauce with garlic, ginger and garden-fresh basil. Our vegetarian customers are in luck as well as we have a wide variety of options on the menu including a braised tofu dish with shitake mushrooms.
2685 Yonge St., north of Eglinton + 416 932 2811
Eclectic Rug Gallery
What is new for your business in 2020?
Well – after 27 years of service, I have finally decided that it is time for me to retire and enjoy some quality time with my family and loved ones. So we have reduced the price on our entire inventory. This is a great opportunity to update your room with a new rug.
Why do you think your customers select your business over others?
What I think sets us apart is our service. The feedback that we have received over the years has been that our clients really like the in-home consultation. Sometimes clients are unsure about size, colour, or style. That’s where our knowledge comes into play. We can advise you on what works best for your space.
What has been your proudest moment in business?
I opened this business with a modest startup capital in December of 1993 – just three years after arriving in Canada. This business allowed me to provide for my family, gave them the opportunity to pursue their goals and become contributing members of society. Additionally, Over the last 27 years, I have seen lots of changes – both in the retail sector and my industry. We have seen economic highs and lows. I am happy that I was able to face these challenges head-on and come out the other side. Now after 27 years, I am ready to enjoy retirement.
3275 Yonge St. +416 322 0080
