r/WestEndRaccoon

Well some of Toronto… still an awesome video

Davenport (or more specifically the stretch of it from Old Weston to Lansdowne) is dead. Not dying, not "up and coming" -- dead. There are no cafes, there are no pubs, there are no bookstores or trinket shops or record stores or grocers -- only the husks of establishments that used to exist.

Notably sad examples are the closing of Silva's Groceries a couple years ago (it had been open since 1974 and acted as an oaisis in what is a bit of a food desert) and Dao's Cafe, a lovely passion project supper-club that I eroneously took as a bit of a harbinger of neighbourhood revitalization.

Up until recently I'd look across the street at the Laundromat and 'Pokin Pigeons' - the local tattoo shop - and admire their resilience. I'd think "ha! Tattoo parlours are always the last to go." And then Pokin' Pigeons closed up shop.

There are a couple of bright spots I need mentioning, though I live in constant fear they too will succumb to the Davenport doldrums. Lucky Larry's (shout out to my man Laurence) is one of my fave convenience stores in the city, and is owned and operated by Larry - a young guy, who emplys a diverse cast of young people. It's neat! Also major shoutout to Vira's BBQ. Vira is a Ukrainian woman, living mere blocks from Corsa Italia, cooking Portoguese Chicken -- how West End Toronto is that? If she likes you she'll sneak a perogie or two in with your order.

Funilly enough Lucky Larry's and Vira's BBQ share a corner at Uxbridge and Davenport. Does the magic of the Junction Triangle flowing Northwards up Uxbridge help stave off the blight? Only time will tell.

Rant over, hopeful call to action incoming: this neighbourhood is absolutely PRIMED for revitalization. The buildings are just sitting their empty -- it's not like you're colluding with a landlord to displace the local 50yr old mom and pop shop, you can step right in. And wonderful things are on the horizon. The old rubber factory around the corner is gone, and in its place, just South of Davenport, apartments and shops are being planned as we speak.

And just to the north of Davenport on St. Clair a new UP station is planned, making downtown and airport travel an absolute breeze. Davenport is about to see a spike in traffic, foot and otherwise. If I was a savvy business owner, I'd want to get in on the ground floor.

But for businesses to succeed, there needs to be people to frequent them. I moved to Davenport in November. Why? Because it's near awesome neighbourhoods without BEING an awesome hood -- i.e. we could afford it. Seriously -- houses just on the other side of the tracks seperating Davenport from the Junction Triangle go for $300-$400 thousand more than we paid (and are smaller). If you're looking to buy, give this decrepit stretch of road a look. I hear the neighbours are nice!

So, dearly departed Davenport has door knob levels of life...for now. But I reckon with the right set of circumstances it might be the next Geary, waiting to happen. God I hope I'm right.

Photos and captions by Kiana Sheldon. Instagram: @ kianasheldon

Sounds like a title to a naughty film