Friday 9 May 2008

A new face in Cabbagetown...
Marianne Mailer joins the BIA for the summer. It’s her job to turn the 2008 Cabbagetown Festival into a great success story and she’s already hard at work on it. Marianne has just finished her third year studies at Ryerson. She hopes to work in marketing and special events planning in the future so this is a good chance for her to get some experience and start her career. Watch for her because she’ll be very busy working on the Festival parade, outdoor patios, health department regulations, Festival vendors and more.

Mother’s Day


Flowers, of course, are the mainstay of Mother’s day greetings. Simmons Flowers (540 Parliament) reports that business is very brisk. They’re almost “sold out”. But they’ll search for just the right bloom for you if it’s an emergency!

Daniel et Daniel (248 Carlton) have used their usual ingenuity to offer heart shaped, pink cookies for Mom. It’s advisable that you buy lots of them so that a few are left for her after everybody else digs in.

The Epicure Shop (473 Parliament) has a big week ahead. On Saturday, Mom (and other family members) can visit from 10 am to 2 pm for special samplings of St John’s Bakery Organic Bread and a sampling of Epicure’s lovely cheese selections. Then, on the official day (Sunday), you can enter the Epicure draw for a Mother’s Day Gift Basket.

Epicure’s Customer Appreciation Week runs from May 12 to 18th.

  • On Monday, you’ll get a free pop or water with every lunch special.
  • Tuesday is Epicure’s Homemade Pizza day when you can buy a slice and get a free water, all for only $1.99.
  • Wednesday is a biggie – buy a pound of Reunion Island coffee and get a second bag at half price.
  • For Thursday, when you buy a lunch special, you’ll have a double stamp on your reward card.
  • Friday is another good one: when you make a $40 purchase of groceries, you’ll get a free flavoured oil.
  • On Saturday, you’ll receive Epicure’s new grain salad free when you purchase any size potato, coleslaw or macaroni salad.
  • Sunday finishes the week with a two-for-one brownie sale.

Jacky at INZ Jewelry (231A Carlton) offers the reassuring observation that Mother’s Day is right up there with Christmas and Valentines. Diamonds are still a direct route to Mom’s heart. And congratulations are due to Jacky. His jewelry was part of the exhibition held last weekend to celebrate the 20th anniversary of Art & Crafts in the Park.

Eric Morse (http://www.emorse.com/) reports that his new venture, Petshotz, is going to the dogs. Moms who love their pets will definitely want to give him a call. He has a special new project – doing dog and cat photos shot right in your own home with your pet relaxing and posing in its natural habitat. Eric first gained famed and international attention as our official Santa photographer and his new business will undoubtedly draw equal acclaim.

Forsythia Festival
The Festival is Cabbagetown’s annual celebration that Spring has arrived. A nifty parade, face painting and games for kids, hot dogs and music in the park – all are offered up on the first May weekend.
This year, several businesses offered their support to the event.

No Frills added some entertainment

St Jamestown Steak & Chops brought a barbeque, a tent and more than 300 hotdogs.

Peter Tarshis of HomeLife Realty volunteered his help. Financial support was also given by Cycle Solutions, Fairway Market, House on Parliament, Home Hardware, Nettleships, Lennie’s Health Centre, RePrint and Star Nails – thanks everyone.

Updates on Parliament Street real estate
Two more good signs for Spring. Work is now underway at the old Town Grill site and at the former home of Chapter Eleven. In both cases, arrangements have been finalized. New businesses are planned in these sites. Stay tuned and you’ll find out more as soon as we do.