As we celebrate Small Business Month, we here at Old Town Toronto feel so appreciative of the small businesses in our little area of the city who go above and beyond to make life here so enjoyable. We’re no strangers to the hardships that come with running a business, but finding success in making your dream a reality is something that should absolutely be celebrated. From all of us here, we salute you!
Now with that said, here are a few small businesses we encourage you to check out!
Yianni’s Kitchen – St. Lawrence Market, Lower Level B33, (416) 361-0769
For authentic homemade Greek cooking passed down from family generations, Yianni’s Kitchen has been a market staple for over 20 years. Yianni Sfiris’ father George was in the restaurant business for over 40 years and taught him everything he knew. Now retired, he still comes into the kitchen now and then to help with the cooking. But no matter who is cooking, the food is incredible, from moussaka and pastitzio to some incredible gyros sandwiches.
If it’s your first time, order the gyros and ask for extra sauce. Trust us. And if you have room for dessert, their apple fritters are second to none.
FAMO Sandwiches – 122 Sherbourne Street, (416) 360-1221, www.famo.ca
FAMO is not your average sandwich place. In fact, it’s safe to say that it’s one of the city’s best and most innovative sandwich places, serving up incredible dishes alongside a wonderful selection of craft beer, superb wine, and Station cold brew coffee.
Getting its name from the last names of partners and co-owners Shabnam Moier and Babak Fami, FAMO uses fresh local ingredients and ensures that the menu is ever-changing with the seasons to keep everything exciting. Some favourites include the Cheek & Bun Sandwich (Slow braised beef cheek, caramelized onion, arugula slaw, served on ciabatta bun), the East Ender Sandwich (Slow braised pulled chicken breast with spicy mango slaw, served on ciabatta bun), and the Famous Lamb Sandwich (Slow roasted lamb braised in white wine, topped with turmeric onion slaw & cheese, served on ciabatta bun).
Lively Life Fine Foods – St. Lawrence Market, Lower Level B9, (416) 362-1464
Located on the lower level of St. Lawrence Market, Lively Life Fine Foods is the destination for when your taste buds are feeling some wanderlust!
Owner Hong Lee’s shop is the place to find gourmet foods from all over the world including spices and ingredients to make any foods from around the globe. While the shop may be small, it’s filled with spices, condiments, sauces, grains, rice, flour, mustards, cooking oils, vinegars, salts, honeys, sugars, juices, dried fruits, and even vegetables!
6ix Tips Nails & Spa – 59 Sherbourne Street, #1C, (416) 868-6245, www.6ixtips.ca
Let’s face it, self-care is important, and especially after the ordeal of the past couple of years, we’ve missed the chance to spoil ourselves with a nice mani-pedi.
6ix Tips Nails & Spa is a women-owned and operated initiative that strongly believes in self-care through the access of quality and affordable spa services. They go above and beyond to provide a high-quality, inclusive, and empowering experience for their customers. They also do way more than nails, offering waxing, threading, and body care services as well, all at an affordable price.
For our money, we’d definitely go for an eyebrow cleanup and a shellac mani-pedi. It sounds like such a little thing, but it’s the little things that make the big differences in feeling good.
Third Wave Coffee – 42 Church Street, (416) 366-0666, www.thirdwavecoffeeinc.com
What is there to say about Third Wave Coffee that hasn’t been said already? Crafting drinks with specialty, ethically-sourced ingredients that are as beautiful as the art that adorns the walls, Third Wave’s owner Imad Al Safi doesn’t see his business as a simple commercial coffee shop, but a culmination of years of planning, learning, and growing fuelled by passion.
If you want to get into the Fall spirit but aren’t a fan of the classic PSL, we suggest the creamy Baileys (non-alcoholic) latte for a nice warming drink. And the latte art is sure to put a smile on your face.
These gems are just a handful of the awesome small businesses here in Old Town Toronto. We love them all, and encourage you to visit our Business Directory to find more! Maybe you’ll uncover a new favourite?
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