Livia fits perfectly with the inviting, feel-good atmosphere inside Lileo. The store, scattered with books and comfortable seating areas, invites shoppers to relax and enjoy the whole experience. With interesting light fixtures and positive imagery lining the walls, the space is a refreshing retreat. Livia offers an environment for visitors to take a break and recharge while exploring the Distillery. The healthy and fresh menu choices are sure to provide energy and sustenance between visiting the neighbourhood shops and galleries.

Everything is made to order at Livia, including a wide selection of healthy paninis, salads, soups and alternative smoothie beverages. Careful thought and research goes into each product, right down to the Fiji spring water. Fiji is bottled in the hardest plastic to avoid contaminants and is the only water that contains silicon, a nutrient that enhances nails and skin.

Livia offers plenty of organic and raw options that promise not only delicious taste, but also provide maximum nourishment. The smoothie options include elixir tonics and E3 Live, which is a popular nutrition supplement with natural healing power that provides an unmistakeable boost of energy. Livia regulars rave about the fresh sandwich variety and the quality smoked turkey that comes from Montreal. Also tempting on Livia’s menu is the Goddess Grilled Cheese, which is made with three types of cheese and dressed with rich truffle oil.

For the last ten years, Arlene Pastor has been hand-selecting designers and fashions for Lileo clothing store. It has since become one of Toronto’s most coveted shopping destinations. Lileo was named after Galileo Galilei, the famous physicist and astronomer most known for inventing the telescope and making major astronomical observations. His interesting work with sunspots and light translate to the interior design and architecture of Lileo. Integral to the design is a contemporary light fountain that creates a galaxy-effect as the bulbs shine down in circular spirals.

Arlene was driven to launch Lileo and Livia after the loss of her husband. Intent on creating a joyful space and creating a difference in some small way, Lileo was established from a special place in her heart. Arlene chooses all of the store’s products and decor with compassion. Many of the designs use little or no dyes, in order to be gentle on the environment and body. Also, mannequins are nowhere to be found within the store’s walls to promote positive body image and self-love.

Just as Lileo is constantly rotating fresh fashion designs, Livia is constantly evolving with new and delicious menu options to try. Arlene is preparing to launch an exciting new feature to Lileo’s drink menu. The innovative beverage will provide an e-boost that genuinely makes you feel great from the inside out. It is even proven to provide comfort and healing for pregnant women. Lileo’s new alternative drink will be landing just in time to celebrate summer in the Distillery.

Post by Alex Franceschini on May 20, 2013.

Lidia Gentilucci exhibits one of the more colourful Italian-made premium quality dress shirts which are priced competitively at approx $150 ea. There are over forty different styles in the shop, each unique in colour and pattern. Gentil Uomo also offers a great selection of high quality Italian silk ties and bow-ties in different widths and designs.

Antonio Gentilucci and his wife Lidia built this store and retail concept from a dream – to bring Italy to Canada as effectively as possible. They are doing men in Toronto a big favour by making the best Italian fashion available here at good prices. Gentil Uomo carries a full spectrum of mens stuff including many different Italian colognes such as, Gianfranco Ferrè, Dolce & Gabbana, Gucci, Giorgio Armani, and Salvatore Ferragamo.

Antonio Gentilucci proudly stands behind a display of lovely Italian sweaters explaining to me how some are 100% Merino wool and some are a mix of wool and Cashmere in a wide variety of ‘feels’; its a tactile experience that comes in different colours and styles. The store also has many clothing accessories including pocket squares and scarves as well as fine Italian leather belts in every width and length.

The Handsome Interior of Gentil Uomo Features Original G&W Timber Shelving

To bring their vision of an authentic Italian clothing shop to life, the couple engaged Chase International Consultants in Design Inc. This Toronto firm has a strong background in architectural design and a good reputation for creating innovative spaces for international clients. The designers were able to create an Italian-style boutique feeling in the shop, and blend-in the authenticity of the Distillery District by building all the furniture in the store with original wood planks and beams that were recovered from the original 1800s era industrial operation. Quite a bit of newly reclaimed wood has been on the market lately, but the wooden shelves inside this shop was handcrafted from the timbers that have been held in storage since 2005 when the guts of the rack houses (which held the Gooderham & Worts oak barrels and casks for the twelve year aging period advertised on the labels of their finest whiskys) that now form the base of the Gooderham Condominiums tower still under construction at the east end of the compound. Chase architects and build teams were able to secure enough of the building material to handcraft this lovely interior entirely from G&W historic rackhouse timbers.

Gentil Uomo has a dozen or more Italian-made watches under glass in the display case at the counter. Most are Officina Del Tempo which translates to  “The Time Factory.” Behind these watches, deeper in the counter display I could see a collection of classic and contemporary Italian cufflinks, as well as bracelets to add flash to dress shirts.

Gentil Uomo strives diligently to treat every man as a gentleman with individual taste. After all, that’s what Gentil Uomo means. The word gentil is Italian for “gentleman” – singular. The Gentil Uomo man wants to look his best no matter what the occasion, Antonio explains, he prides himself on selecting fashion of premium quality and style. He knows a classic look will serve him well in a professional or formal setting, but he also knows he can have a cool, casual look when he wants to have some fun.

Gentil Uomo is the exclusive dealer of original artwork by Miguel Freitas at the Distillery District.

Antonio Gentilucci describes how, when he first set eyes on the whimsical paintings of Miguel Freitas, he was hooked. The Distillery District has many art galleries showcasing world-class artists, and including Miguel’s work in their shop was an easy decision. When you look at Miguel’s paintings with cobblestone walkways, blue skies, and rolling hills, you do feel as if you’ve been transported to a small town in Italy. Antonio knew he wanted to offer Miguel’s paintings in the Gentil Uomo store because it blends interior and exterior themes to compound the European experience already happening in each visitor’s heads when they’re down here ambling about this historic hotspot.

The Distillery District reminds Antonio of his favourite Italian piazzas and promenades; he praises the cobblestone lanes, cappuccino and gelato cafes, and the fragrant local bakery that’s only two doors north of his shop when he says, “This is Italy!”

Post by Robert Campbell on May 19, 2013

It is significant that there are NO bicycle shops in the Distillery – Segway of Ontario rents bikes to tourists during business hours, but there are no mechanics or any places to buy a bike, or get free air for tires, or oil for the chain or any love for your bicycle anywhere within a four block radius of our scenic destination.

To further complicate matters, some visitors who ride Bixi bikes here from other parts of the city say that the Trinity St. bike rack is almost always full to capacity and there are seldom any available open spots for locking up the rental to get released from the contract.

Bixi Bike Ride to Distillery is a One Way Trip?

Some blog readers have told this author that whenever they rent and ride Bixi bikes down here, they have to ride around for 1/2 hr extra looking for a free spot to park the rented bicycle once they arrive. The locking station on Trinity St is sometimes full to capacity on weekends, and that means riders have to spend time backtracking to find an open spot to lock up their bikes and end the rental contract and get deposit back on their cards.

But riding your own bike here can mean spending time hunting for places to lock it up.

Locking Up Bikes in the Distillery District

Could the Distillery District Be More Bike Friendly? You bet. For starters there needs to be more places with better locking posts!

Here are some snapshots of the tired facilities for locking up bicycles starting with the ancient bike locking racks behind Balzacs Coffee. This installation features very old 1930′s era bike racks with low metal hoops – ever tried these? They are impractical to say the least. This design is difficult to use with a Kryptonite hoop lock.

The first picture above is of the bike lock area beside the Rack House bldg north of the G&W Green Gates on Trinity St. at Mill (the site of a proposed new boutique hotel / condo bldg).

Or what about these wave shaped metal bars that have ten bike capacity each at the eastern end of Distillery Lane?

Bike racks in front of 24 Parliament are usually full of the resident’s bicycles, but this is a place to consider looking if you cannot find a closer solution.

There are popular locking posts all along Mill St – but here there is a real risk that cars and especially delivery trucks will reverse into your bicycle. It happened to my friend who teaches yoga for kids in condo buildings while she was in the bank – she watched the cube van driver back into her bicycle while she was standing in line inside …

The driver of the cube van was there unloading furniture for someone in Pure Spirits condo ( the group was hoping to carry large items through the front entrance lobby which is strictly forbidden). The driver who backed into my friend’s bike, in front of many witnesses, then tried to deny it was them that damaged the bicycle, and only when threatened with a police inquiry and the presence of the nearby bank’s security camera tapes did he agree to any settlement.

As many as seven hundred cyclists descend on the Distillery District on any given Saturday in the summer, and its a problem when there are only a few hundred spots to lock up the bikes. The chain link fence around the parking lot north of the rack house on Trinity St and east to Cherry St becomes encrusted with bicycles on big days during summer festivals , esp during Eco-Wheels exhibit in July!

Post by Robert Campbell, May 19 2012.

The site of Mill Street Brew Pub is the former industrial complex of Gooderham & Worts, the massive 1930s whiskey distillery. Gooderham and Worts was one of the largest distilleries in the British Empire and one of the main suppliers during the Prohibition. This distilling operation became so large that it moved to Winsdor, and even built a tunnel beneath the Detroit River to move more product to the United States. This left the buildings of the Distillery empty and obsolete until Toronto decided to revamp the area. Mill Street got involved at the beginning of the Distillery’s restoration, and was one of the original two tenants alongside Balzac’s Coffee Roasters.

Today, all of Mill Street’s large-scale brewing occurs at a facility in Scarborough. While the Distillery District inspires many of Mill Street’s well-known beers, such as Tankhouse and Stock Ale, the Brew Pub only brews specialty beer that cannot be found at the liquor store. These exclusive brews are available on draught or in kegs, including Betelguese, Pilsner, Maple Ale, Spring Bock and Don Valley varieties.

Mill Street Brew Pub exclusively produces speciality beers, including this season’s favourites: Maple Ale, Distillery Ale, Lemon Tea, Spring IMP, Minimus Dubbel, and Ampel Weiss

Mill Street Brew Pub remains an experimenting ground; With 14 different taps available, the Brew Pub has the ability to brew any beer that is ordered. This is a great way to test different beers and understand what people enjoy drinking. In fact, Mill Street’s Lemon Tea Beer started as a small batch, experimental beer. Lemon Tea Beer was so well liked at the Mill Street Brew Pub that it is now sold in cans and shipped across Canada.

Mill Street will soon be offering beer schnapps for the new beer hall

For the first time since its bulk production moved to Scarborough, Mill Street will expanding its distillery operations by producing beer schnapps. Mill Street will be unveiling two stills imported from Germany to distill beer schnapps, a product that no other Canadian is producing. Mill Street’s new beer hall will be home to the beer schnapps operation, and will pay homage to the former distilleries that occupied the historic neighbourhood.

The first Canadian brewery to produce beer shnapps, Mill Street will be opening its new distillery facility this month

Mill Street Brew Pub offers brewery tours that delve into the details of quality beer production. In order to brew beer, four ingredients are required: Malt, water, hops and yeast.

Malt adds colour and flavour to beer

Mill Street brews straw, caramel, and dark malts, which are mixed and matched to create various colours and levels of sweetness

Most beers are made from barley, a versatile cereal grain, while malt refers to the process done to this seed. Barley seeds are first soaked in water until they begin to sprout and germinate, allowing sugars and starches to come to the forefront. Baking or kilning the barley stops the germination process and results in different styles of malt. When the barley seeds are baked for a long time, a darker colour is produced. Beers made from dark malt have a toasted, bitter flavor. Malt that is cooked for shorter periods result in a beer that is lighter in colour and less intense. After the malt is mixed for a brew’s specific recipe, it is funneled into a machine that grinds the malt into a fine, coffee-like texture. The malt is pumped through a tube that carries it to be mixed with water.

Water makes up about 90% of beer

Malt is mixed with water to create a sticky & sweet solution, which can be sterilized and flavoured

Water is a very important ingredient and, depending on the style of beer, the water used can be either hard or soft.  The technology to harden or soften water did not exist hundreds of years ago, and beers were completely defined by different regions with different water softness and mineral content. Mixing the malt with water creates a sticky, sweet substance known as wort, and strips the starch and sugar from the malt. This solution is boiled to both sterilize and add flavour.

Hops is a preservative that adds flavour, aroma and bitterness to beer 

Hops balances the sweetness of malt and adds bitterness to beer

The main flavour addition is hops, which is added either early or late depending on the bitterness desired.  Other flavours can also be added to the beer at this time, such as the genuine Balzac’s coffee beans that are added to every batch of Mill Street’s Coffee Porter. The effect of hops is to provide beer with bitterness and aroma, as it balances the sweetness of malt. Many people aren’t aware that hops works primarily as a preservative, which keeps beer alive longer and allows it to taste better when not refrigerated. Historically, the British needed to brew beer with plenty of hops, in order to send to their troops overseas in India. Today, people crave and love bitter beers for being full of flavour and high in alcohol.

Yeast is fermented to add alcohol to beer

The purpose of yeast is to add the alcohol content to beer

Finally, yeast is added to the process to eat up the remaining sugar, add the alcohol content, and to contribute some carbonation. The majority of beers are brewed with either ale or lager yeast. Ale yeast is fermented at a warmer temperature, so it can be enjoyed warm. This type of yeast does not eat up the sugar as efficiently and produces a beer that is more complex.  Lager yeast is fermented cold and is best served cold. Lager distills more sugar and creates a beer that is more refined, refreshing and crisp. A lager is so delicate that even light can affect its flavour profile, which is why lagers are produced in dark bottles. The next step is fermentation, which takes place in temperature-controlled tanks to ferment beers at different temperatures.  Finally, the beer is filtered, carbonated, and ready to be enjoyed.

Post written by Alex Franceschini on May 8, 2013.

Lisa’s bright assistant, Zandra testifies that Lisa truly pulls from the relationships she has made in the industry. Her fashion expertise and brand knowledge are reflected in all the unique pieces offered in the store. Lisa puts her heart into researching and selecting all of the ready-to-wear fashion, accessories and housewares by hand. She supports local artisans and thoroughly learns all the brands, so customers can buy confidently from Mint.

Mint features both local artisans and high profile brands, like Nicole Richie’s House of Harlow Accessories

The boutique features a balance of both high profile labels and more classified brands. Some of the well-known designers include 7 for All Mankind, Splendid and Nicole Richie’s House of Harlow. Mint Boutique also features some designers that are exclusive to Toronto, as well as other unique brands.

Among the more exclusive brands available at Mint is Mar y sol, whose bright handbags and accessories are handmade in Madagascar and translate beautifully to summer in the city. Mint Boutique is also proud to offer Alternative Apparel, which is known for easy-to-wear, unisex styles, and its refusal to use harsh dyes and sweat shops.

Mar y Sol’s spring-coloured handbags translate beautifully to summer in the city

The brand MZ Wallace was the brainchild of two New York design students inspired to create women’s diaper bags to meet the standards of both practicality and style. Designed by women for women, Mint offers several of the Teflon-coated nylon pieces that are even complete with fuchsia interiors to combat the eternal challenge of losing items in the depths of one’s purse.

Whether the pieces are from well-known brands or local artisans, all of them are meant to last. Mint Boutique is committed to offering the ultimate fashion staples that can be worn and loved forever.

Also offered on Mint’s shelves are a unique variety of housewares. Artistically shaped oil and vinegar carafes are hand-blown in New York by NYCruets. These elegant pieces are perfectly complimented by cheese boards made by The Toy Maker of Lunenberg. The Nova Scotia based company designs cutting boards using actual planking used in the restoration of the Lunenberg, the Canadian iconic ship that has been pictured on the dime since 1937.

Hand-blown oil & vinegar dispensers displayed beside cheese boards crafted from actual planking used in the Lunenberg restoration

Currently, Mint Boutique is preparing for a pop-up art show on May 16, during which the store will host Toronto artist and designer, Lori Harrison, with her latest work. The idea is to kick off Artfest in the Distillery, for customers to meet the artist, sip some wine at the reception, and enjoy the beautiful artwork and fashion. This art show follows up Mint’s successful Step Into Spring event in March, where the store featured a nail pampering station and the opportunity to explore the shop’s brands with friends.

Lisa and Zandra of Mint Boutique are excited to bring retail therapy to growing Distillery, and are not deterred by the condo project occurring outside the front door. Since its grand opening, Mint has been welcomed by the neighbourhood’s familial community of creative businesses, tweeting and cross promoting one another online. With Cherry Street being rerouted in the fall, with a new entrance complete with a TTC stop to link the city’s east and west ends, Mint Boutique is set to lie in the heart of the action. The talented women behind Mint are excited to see the Distillery’s restoration and expansion being “done right.” Once it’s complete, they are looking forward to enjoying the full effect of Mint Boutique’s prime location.

Post written by Alex Franceschini on April 25, 2013.

Since establishing the dog fitness centre and spa ten years ago, Susan Rupert has lovingly befriended each of her 600 four-legged clients and their owners. She welcomes them all through the door by name, as they excitedly arrive for a fun-filled day. Urbandog was idealized to serve Susan’s first and favourite client – her own canine companion, whose portrait proudly adorns the shop’s front wall. The idea came to Susan while traveling in Los Angeles without a puppy sitter. Susan returned from her trip intent on serving her own demographic, by providing an establishment where dogs are never crated or left alone.

SUSAN RUPERT KNOWS THE NAMES OF ALL URBANDOG’S 600 CLIENTS AND THEIR FOUR-LEGGED PALS

The result was Urbandog, with a location that boasts a total of 8000 square feet, including an outdoor area for enjoying the beautiful weather and fresh air. The indoor facility is separated to cater to both small and big dogs, and is temperature controlled with air conditioning in the summer months and radiant heat to combat the chill of winter. The air is filtered by a sterilization system that protects against airborne pathogens and bacteria. Both playrooms are built for optimal fun and exercise, with vulcanized rubber floors that provide cushion for their joints and bones while running and jumping.

For every ten happy dogs at play, an attentive UrbanDog employee is at the core of the action, interacting with the group to maintain a clean and safe environment. A live webcam stream is even available to curb curiosity and soothe separation anxiety that dog owners may feel for their pals throughout the workday. In order to ensure the highest standard of both fun and safety is upheld, a prescreening process is required for all dogs at the daycare.

The Distillery District is a natural fit for Urbandog, since it’s a neighbourhood saturated by professionals who meet using a dog app to come together and walk their best friends. The guiding philosophy of UrbanDog is to exist as a complete community center for dogs in and around the Distillery.

Not only does it offer quality daycare, but also a number of unique products and services are available inside. Training classes run during the week that specialize in varying levels of ability, from puppy classes to more advances agility lessons. Regular clients can trust in Urbandog’s overnight services, which can be more fittingly described as doggy slumber parties, complete with comfortable beds and even a flat-screen TV for bedtime entertainment. Spa services are also offered by experienced groomers and stylists, and there is even a self-serve option for those who prefer to spend the quality time grooming their best friend.

URBANDOG OFFERS DRY, DEHYDRATED, HOME-COOKED, AND RAW FOOD VARIETIES THAT ARE ALL-NATURAL AND HUMAN GRADE QUALITY

The upscale boutique is nowhere near an average pet supply store. Having experienced the extra concerns of caring for an epileptic dog, Susan understands the importance of a healthy diet and surroundings. With her own pup as the platform for the store, Urbandog takes extra care in selecting only all-natural and human grade products.

The boutique even offers alternatives for dogs with special conditions, such as illnesses and sensitivities to additives. For dogs with allergies to certain proteins, a freezer is fully stocked with variety of raw products, such as duck, boar, venison, and kangaroo. All of the toys are even tested in the playrooms, so that the knowledgable staff can offer more information about how the toys will stand up. Without a doubt, Urbandog’s furry clients do not mind helping provide their assistance testing toys and treats during their stay.

Visit Urbandog on Facebook to see more of the happy pups

Post written by Alex Franceschini on April 19, 2013.

This is a Soulpepper Theatre debut for Leah Doz, which means she just joined the company this year. The twenty something actor was born in Edmonton Alberta, the only child of a single mom. Now she’s a bright light on stage in the Toronto Distillery District and is burning up the big city theatre reviews.

Leah Doz Has Been Performing All Her Life

Leah Doz was enrolled in ballet at age three and has the Dancer’s Turnout to prove it. “I am so grateful to my mom for enrolling me when I was young. Ballet taught me discipline, devotion, and physical awareness that has served all my work on stage.” Leah spent her childhood at a number of different performing arts schools, all over Canada, and today her educational credentials are impeccable. She’s a safe bet for Canadian film and TV producers primarily because she has natural talent, and also because she has great training; Leah studied at the National Theatre School in Montreal, and the Seacoast Theatre Centre in Vancouver, and in the Nightwood Emerging Actors Program and has won a Hnatyshyn Award for Developing Theatre Artist, and a Queen’s Golden Jubilee Performing Artist Award, and a Sterling Award Nomination. Its really impressive for such young talent. This girl is going places.

Leah has already performed at Stratford in 2012, in The Matchmaker, Much Ado About Nothing (Stratford), and before that in the Dora award-winning play Tomasso’s Party (Rooftop Creations). She’s appeared in A Raisin in the Sun (Black Theatre Workshop), and The Laramie Project (Citadel Theatre). Leah recently completed a BRAVO Fact short called ‘Issues’ (Insomniac Productions) which will air next year. She will be joining the National Arts Center’s English Acting Company in Ottawa this fall.

La Ronde is a play written by Arthur Schnitzler in 1897 that scrutinizes the sexual morals and class ideology through a series of encounters between pairs of characters (shown before or after a sexual encounter). By choosing characters across all levels of society, the play offers social commentary on how sexual contact crosses class boundaries.

Schnitzler’s play elicited violent critical and condemnation because of its subject matter and treatment in 1920 performances, which were shocking and became rather sensational failures that left the playwright very unhappy. The titles of the play—in German Reigen and in French La Ronde—refer to a round dance, as portrayed in the English nursery rhyme Ring a Ring o’ Roses.

Directed by Alan Dilworth, La Ronde takes a circuitous route through ten different sexual liaisons to question the nature of human contact, love and fidelity.

Leah confessed to me this play is incredibly challenging for her, because it’s so incredibly emotionally demanding. And she’s nude on stage for a brief spell but, as she describes it, “…every actor has to do something physically revealing and emotionally revealing. I have gotten used to the nudity, but the stakes for the emotionally revealing parts are stomach-turning every night, but I could not have asked for a more amazing cast. The mentorship I have encountered from Soulpepper’s founding stalwarts has been moving; I bike home every day counting my blessings. They are unconditionally generous and supportive of the younger company members; it is truly a gift to experience such a sense of camaraderie and equality here at the Young Centre. The company sets a high standard for an ensemble-based environment. It is a true theatre company. Everyone feels like family. And La Ronde requires that level of trust.””

You can buy tickets for La Ronde online at Young Centre for Performing Arts Theatre website or show up at box office and take your chances – you can buy $22 tickets a 1/2 hr before the show right at the box office which is a little known local secret.

Young Center for Performing Arts is the perfect springboard for Leah Doz into Canadian Film and TV. La Ronde ends May 4th 2013, after which Leah preps for Great Expectations at Soulpepper this summer. “I’m so excite to spend the summer here. The Distillery is an amazing location to spend time creatively. Great Expectations will also be a period piece, so it feels fitting to spend so much time in Toronto’s oldest locale.” at the other end of the Soulpepper Theatre’s 2013 Season.

Post by Robert Campbell on Apr 16, 2013

Nickolas works mainly in oils, mixed media on canvas and board, from small sizes right up to 8 feet by 4 feet of still life, florals, figurative works, portraits, landscapes, abstracts and sculptures in fired clay and stone carvings. The forty year old man works as a painter every day in his art studio in the Distillery, inside the Case Goods Building at 15 Case Goods Lane, up on the third floor, Studio 303. His other great passions are music and fashion. Nickolas sings and recites poetry at open mic. and karaoke nights in downtown art clubs.

His work has been compared to Picasso, Warhol, Modigliani, Chagall, Van Gogh and Renoir; but really he is developing his own signature style that puts him in a league of his own.

Nickolas Hadzis was featured in the Toronto Star newspaper by Rita Zekas in April, 2011 for his hand painted t-shirts for men, women and teens. He’s recently started painting jackets, pants and dresses.

Nickolas’ art studio on the 3rd floor, #303 in the Case Goods Building on 15 Case Goods Lane is open for visitors throughout the week and weekends mainly from 2 pm until 8 pm (sometimes even later). Best way to connect with him is by appointment, e-mail Nickolas at: nhadzis100 AT yahoo DOT ca or call him at: Monday – Thursday: (416) 298-0218 Friday – Sunday: (416) 759-5332

Visit Nickolas Hadzis’ website or LIKE him on Facebook: Nick specializes in Tshirts if you want to wear his art.

On Saturday 23rd of March, Woodbecker’s most experienced personnel including ten-year Foreman, Greg Smith, and Project Manager, Antonio Dominguez granted this author, me, Alex Franceschini a guided tour of their secret renovation project. And I was totally amazed!

The Woodbeckers are working up here to create an amazing new office space for Kingstar Media, a media-buying agency, known for direct marketing, direct response, and infomercials on both TV and radio. The firm’s impressive client list boasts many well-recognized television favourites, including Slap Chop, Sham-Wow, Magic Bullet, Snuggie, and Proactive.

From just one look at the site, it’s clear that this space will be bright and sunny and filled with modern furniture and art that matches the wood floors and recently sandblasted red brick walls.

In many ways the white cement encrusted red brick on wood theme ‘look’ is the quintessential office interior vision of the Distillery District – the walls are Port Hope cement and kiln fired red clay bricks taken from clay pits just a few miles north up the Don River over a hundred and fifty years ago.

The office is laid out in compartments around the windows. New windows have been added to the walls where there were none before, and to better accommodate the sun worshiping creative minds of this pioneer TV advertising agency.

Greg eagerly describes Woodbecker’s vision for the new office, which includes a deck that expands off the top floor to look west over the Distillery at the two new condominium towers Clear Spirit and Gooderham.

A particularly brilliant innovation found in Kingstar’s new office are two editing rooms that Woodbecker made by cutting doors into the thick oaken sides of two hundred year old wooden vats, now dark hollow, and old, they will soon be bubbling anew with curious substances again.

Woodbecker President, James Becker, has been leading the company in project management and contracting since 2002. From Archeo, Boiler House and Bergo to Soma and Yellow House Events office, Woodbecker’s exquisite construction work can be found in every corner of the Distillery Historic District of Toronto. They even make that unusual looking plywood hoarding that separates the condo construction projects from the rest of the neighbourhood. The company specializes in making those curious museum displays you see everywhere now, and is renowned for its World class restoration carpentry work.

Outside of the Distillery, Woodbecker’s extensive restoration portfolio boasts some of Toronto’s most distinguished historical buildings, including Wychwood Barns, Roundhouse, and Massey Hall. They also build production sets for major movies, like Chloe, Queen of the Night, and everybody’s favourite blockbuster, The Jonas Bros Movie.

The Distillery District is the perfect place for such a ‘backwards looking’ retail establishment. The museum quality exhibits and the sense of ‘living history’ that pervades the Distillery compound makes it a smart choice to accommodate The Sport Gallery, which looks back at some of the most famous moments in sports. The Victorian era buildings and the early 1900s era advertisements for whisky and spirits are steeped in some of the same traditions as the photographs and mementos for sale inside this store.

Cayleigh Parrish is a Jock!

Although she may not fit the profile of certified sports nut, Cayleigh’s passion is undeniable. Her eyes light up at the prospect of discussing such abstract subjects as R.A Dickey’s knuckleballer, or the 1950 picture of Ted Williams, Joe DiMaggio, Dom DiMaggio called The Brotherhood. Her passion and knowledge for these subjects and other even more unusual sports trivia is extraordinary., and even a little disturbing. Ask her about any major league sport and she can recall stats, dates, faces and places captured in the iconic images lining her boutique’s walls, and Cayleigh’s favourite sport to play is ice hockey.

The Sport Gallery specializes in classic sport photography that brings to life the greatest moments and personalities of sport. The iconic images are truly one-of-a-kind, straight from the SPORT Magazine Photographic Archive from 1946. Over the 54 year history of SPORT Magazine, thousands of timeless photos were printed on its pages, while many more were never published anywhere. Cayleigh’s father co-owns this collection of over 250,000 rare images from the 1920s to 1990s, the likes of which do not exist anywhere else. The Sport Gallery revives these iconic sports images in vivid quality, and brings them to the Distillery District as fine art.

Not only does The Sport Gallery offer classic photography from sport’s golden era, it also carries unique products, apparel and accessories. The newest addition to accessories is a collection of cufflinks made from game-used balls, pucks, helmets, and even original blue seats from Maple Leaf Gardens.

Bestsellers include replica Mohammed Ali robes, as well as anything emblazoned Toronto Maple Leafs and or Toronto Blue Jays. On the shelves are wallets lined with game-worn jerseys, game-used balls, and bottle openers made from MLB baseball bats and authentic NHL hockey sticks. Some of the most compelling pieces available at The Sport Gallery are the oddities that can be found behind glass, and on the window sills.

When the shop closes at the end of the day, this unusual merchandise is turned around to face out through the windows, so that Distillery District residents and night time visitors can enjoy the spectacle as they saunter past on their evening stroll.

Follow Cayleigh on Twitter @CayleighP