LCBO stores will be open in Toronto for the civic holiday Monday

As the August civic holiday approaches on August 5, the same question resurfaces every year. Is the LCBO open? If it is open, when is it open?

For those who typically stack up on booze in preparation for the long weekend, this will be good news. Almost 70 of the LCBO locations in the city are open this holiday Monday.

For the stores that are operating, their hours vary, but most of them don’t open until 12 p.m. and close somewhere between 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. But, there are exceptions.

The LCBO flagship store in Summerhill at 10 Scrivener Sq. will be open during its normal hours from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.

The new 22,000-square-foot LCBO at 49 Spadina Ave. and the Queen’s Quay location at 2 Cooper Street will also be open from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Apart from these locations, which are some of the busiest in the city, most of the LCBOs operating on the civic holiday aren’t open until the afternoon.

Just to be safe, check the hours at your local store before you trek over at the wrong time.

Here's a map of all the LCBO locations open in Toronto on the August civic holiday. 

by Hannah Alberga via blogTO

Police implement big brother-style side-cameras to catch distracted drivers

Halton Regional Police announced they are installing side-cameras on their vehicles to capture footage of distracted drivers.

The goal of implementing this technology is to catch anyone who is using a hand-held device while driving and “take evidentiary footage of the incident as it happens,” Halton Police Supt. Derek Davis said in a promotional video.

Since January 2019, over 1,000 distracted driving charges have been laid in Halton, according to a press release issued yesterday.

In the promo video, a police officer described these cameras as essentially “another eye.” She said this will be a “game changer.”

The penalty for a first-conviction distracted driver in Ontario is up to $1,000, three demerit points and a three-day license suspension. A second offence is double the ticket, more demerit points and week-long suspension. A third conviction is triple the fine — up to $3,000, plus a month's suspension and more demerit points.

The side-cameras can also live stream from a bird’s eye view as events are unfolding.

The police say these cameras are for the “purposes of law enforcement and to promote public safety, while balancing the public's right to privacy.”

This is really big brothering. How do you correctly dispense of the images captured of innocent drivers?

— Kyle Goddard (@_LordGodd) July 31, 2019

But, some people believe capturing footage of a person in their private vehicle is steering too close to “big brother” surveillance.

Those who have privacy concerns are asking, where will this footage be stored? Will third parties have access to it? How will the videos be dispensed?

As always, the grey area between public safety and privacy is vast, and these side-cameras fall right into this ambiguous middle ground.

by Hannah Alberga via blogTO

Toronto parking lot pegged for fancy condo will now get affordable housing

Affordable housing will now be a top priority for federally-owned properties on waterfront land in downtown Toronto.

This push follows an ongoing debate about a parking lot in Queens Quay that was slated for condo development, but is now shifting toward including affordable housing.

Canada Lands Company, the federal corporation that is managing 200 Queens Quay West, was planning on knocking down the eight-story parking lot that currently resides on the property and building a 10-storey residential condo with 55-storey and 45-storey towers on top.

But after the corporation received pushback from city council, they announced a change in plans last night.

1/2 Over the last few days Toronto had an important conversation about affordable housing. Canada Lands is a proud partner with #CMHC in the National Housing Strategy. We’ve secured 1,700+ affordable housing units in our projects, incl. 176 units in Toronto and 580+ to come

— CLC | SIC (@canadalands) July 31, 2019

"We have modified the instructions to bidders to acknowledge the necessity of affordable housing in any redevelopment plan approval," the corporation announced on Twitter yesterday.

Not only have these development plans changed, but they've been made an example for future projects.

Canada Lands, which is a partner in the National Housing Strategy, is acknowledging that affordable housing is a necessity for all federal projects, specifically in this city.

2/2 As part of the sales process of 200 Queens Quay West, we have modified the instructions to bidders to acknowledge the necessity of affordable housing in any redevelopment plan approval. They will also need to outline their experience with affordable housing

— CLC | SIC (@canadalands) July 31, 2019

"Over the last few days Toronto had an important conversation about affordable housing," Canada Lands tweeted yesterday.

Councillor Joe Cressy received support from city council last week when he put forward a motion to change the terms of the development plans for this piece of land to include affordable housing.

No level of government should be selling off publicly owned land for residential uses without the inclusion of affordable housing.

My full statement on the change in criteria to include affordable housing at 200 Queens Quay West: pic.twitter.com/MZoQlfwuae

— Joe Cressy (@joe_cressy) July 31, 2019

"I look forward to working with the future owner to build a healthy community on the site," Cressy tweeted last night.

No details have been released on the quantity of units that will be dedicated to affordable housing, but after Cressy spearheaded this effort, there is no doubt he will work to ensure it is adequate.

by Hannah Alberga via blogTO

Toronto Raptor Serge Ibaka surprised everyone in Regent Park last night

Toronto parking lot pegged for fancy condo will now get affordable housing

Affordable housing will now be a top priority for federally owned properties on waterfront land in downtown Toronto.

This push follows an ongoing debate about a parking lot in Queens Quay that was slated for condo development, but is now shifting toward including affordable housing.

Canada Lands Company, the federal corporation that is managing 200 Queens Quay West, was planning on knocking down the eight-story parking lot that currently resides on the property and building a 10-storey residential condo with 55-storey and 45-storey towers on top.

But after the corporation received pushback from city council, they announced a change in plans last night.

1/2 Over the last few days Toronto had an important conversation about affordable housing. Canada Lands is a proud partner with #CMHC in the National Housing Strategy. We’ve secured 1,700+ affordable housing units in our projects, incl. 176 units in Toronto and 580+ to come

— CLC | SIC (@canadalands) July 31, 2019

"We have modified the instructions to bidders to acknowledge the necessity of affordable housing in any redevelopment plan approval," the corporation announced on Twitter yesterday.

Not only have these development plans changed, but they've been made an example for future projects.

Canada Lands, which is a partner in the National Housing Strategy, is acknowledging that affordable housing is a necessity for all federal projects, specifically in this city.

2/2 As part of the sales process of 200 Queens Quay West, we have modified the instructions to bidders to acknowledge the necessity of affordable housing in any redevelopment plan approval. They will also need to outline their experience with affordable housing

— CLC | SIC (@canadalands) July 31, 2019

"Over the last few days Toronto had an important conversation about affordable housing," Canada Lands tweeted yesterday.

Councillor Joe Cressy received support from city council last week when he put forward a motion to change the terms of the development plans for this piece of land to include affordable housing.

No level of government should be selling off publicly owned land for residential uses without the inclusion of affordable housing.

My full statement on the change in criteria to include affordable housing at 200 Queens Quay West: pic.twitter.com/MZoQlfwuae

— Joe Cressy (@joe_cressy) July 31, 2019

"I look forward to working with the future owner to build a healthy community on the site," Cressy tweeted last night.

No details have been released on the quantity of units that will be dedicated to affordable housing, but after Cressy spearheaded this effort, there is no doubt he will ensure it is adequate.

by Hannah Alberga via blogTO

What's open and closed on the August civic holiday 2019 in Toronto

What's open and closed on the August civic holiday in Toronto for 2019, also known as Simcoe Day in Ontario, is a bit different than your typical summer long weekend. On August 5, most of the city will remain open for business so planning for the big day ahead won't be a bust.

Here's what's open and closed on the August civic holiday in Toronto.

General
 

Closed

• Banks
• Government offices
• Libraries
• Post offices

Open

• The TTC will operate on a holiday schedule.

Grocery stores will be keeping their doors open on August 5 so you can stock up for a big BBQ. Photo by Jesse Milns.

Food
 

Closed

• It's worth calling ahead to restaurants before heading out — many already consider Monday a day off.

Open

• Grocery stores are open citywide, though many will operate on holiday hours. Check online or call for individual store hours.

Booze will be a breeze to find on Simcoe Day. Photo by Hector Vasquez.

Drink
 

Open

• Select LCBO locations
• Select The Beer Store locations
• Indie bottle shops

Malls across Toronto will be keeping their doors open come Monday. Photo by Jesse Milns.

Shopping
 

Open

• Malls are open citywide, though many will operate on holiday hours. Check online or call for individual hours of operation.

The CN Tower will be just one of many attractions to visit on August 5. Photo by Hector Vasquez.

Attractions
 

Open

• Aga Khan Museum (77 Wynford Dr.) - 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
• Art Gallery of Ontario (317 Dundas St. West) - 10:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.
• The Bentway (250 Fort York Blvd.) - 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• Canada's Wonderland (1 Canada's Wonderland Dr.) - 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.
• CN Tower (301 Front St. West) - 8:30 a.m. to 11 p.m.
• Gardiner Museum (111 Queens Park) - 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• Harbourfront Centre (235 Queens Quay West) - 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.
• Hockey Hall of Fame (30 Yonge St.) - 9:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.
• Movie theatres
• Museum of Illusions (132 Front St. East) - 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
• Ontario Place (955 Lake Shore Blvd. West) - 5 a.m. to 12 a.m.
• Ontario Science Centre (770 Don Mills Rd.) - 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• Ripley's Aquarium of Canada (288 Bremner Blvd.) - 9 a.m. to 11 p.m.
• Royal Ontario Museum (100 Queens Park) - 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
• Stackt Market (28 Bathurst St.) - 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.
• Toronto Zoo (2000 Meadowvale Rd.) - 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.

by Jaclyn Skrobacky via blogTO

Toronto Restaurant Openings: Faim de Loup, Project Glyph, Chavo Gelato, Est, The Salon

Toronto Restaurant Openings highlights the latest restaurant openings and closings in Toronto and also gives a preview of what's coming soon. Find us here every Thursday morning.

Open now

• Red and White Shawarma is now serving halal Mediterranean in North York.
• Mogouyan is now doing hand-pulled noodles at 760 Yonge. 
• Shi Ro Sushi has opened at 1570 Midland Ave.
• Chef Gourmet is now serving loaded baked potatoes in Church Wellesley Village.
• Xing Fu Tang is now doing teas in Richmond Hill and near Yonge and Wellesley.
• San Coffee Room has opened at 135 Ossington. 
• Le Chanceux now serves liquid nitrogen ice cream at 526 Yonge.
• Chavo Gelato is now serving up cold treats at 235 Queens Quay.
• Juliana Social Cafe is now open at Broadview and Gerrard
• A St. Clair West location of Boneyard Grill has opened.
• You can now get fancy French crepes at Crepes Deluxe inside Erin Mills Town centre in Mississauga.
• Faim de Loup is now serving modern French tasting menus in Little Italy.  
• Turkish/Italian coffee chain and home goods store Well and Better now has a location at 
• Project Glyph is now soft open at 40 Hayden for macarons and tea.

Recently reviewed 

• Avling Brewery
• Tiger Sugar
• Zen Sanuki Udon
• Favorites
• Bergham
• Almond Butterfly
• Reign
• Clockwork
• Dainties Macaron
• Buono

Opening soon

• Est is opening September 3 in Leslieville, and will begin taking reservations August 1.
• Alo is opening a private event space in Yorkville called The Salon sometime in the fall.
• The John should be opening yet another location in Little Italy "super soon."
• Moretti will be opening their Toronto location on August 8.
• Bluestone Lane is opening another location at 2 Queen East.
• Mira Mira is opening a Leslieville location serving ice cream in August. 

Other news

• Come See Me in Little Italy is now home to weekend bottle service DR!P. 
• Three Monks and a Duck on West Queen West will start serving brunch soon.
• Vit Beo is taking the place of Five Points in Open House. 
• Morning Parade has started serving an array of homemade sandwiches.
• Superpoint Express will no longer be serving pizza, and will eventually adopt an entirely new menu.

by Amy Carlberg via blogTO