Y+S: For people who are new to the Chi Spa experience, what should they expect to find on their first visit?

CS: A first time client will be warmly welcomed, and taken into the lounge for a warm cup of herbal tea or a glass of water.  There you will be given 1 short form to detail allergies or sensitivities, which will be reviewed by the esthetician or RMT during your consultation.  Once your treatment has started, expect to enter pure bliss.

One of Yonge + St. Clair’s most prolific fitness and training studios – Balance Fitness – is also one of it’s oldest. We spoke with Co-Founder and Personal Trainer Tony Mark on the history of his studio, its unique edge, and being a part of the Yonge + St. Clair community.

This article was provided by Marylene Vestergom, a marketer and freelance writer whose curious mindset allows her to implement strategies and bring them to life. Her first passion is sports, having covered multiple Olympic Games.

Yonge + St Clair:  When did you start?

Tony Mark: We’ve been a fixture in this neighbourhood for 18 years. Prior to Balance, I was working at another club in the area, so I really got a feel for the clientele.  Those early days helped me formulate my business plan, and the reward was in the creation of Balance — a boutique-style club offering personalized attention by knowledgeable trainers, where health and wellness is balanced, and in this fast-paced world, it’s something our members don’t take for granted.

Y+S:  What’s the Balance experience?

TM: Yonge + St. Clair has always been a tightly woven community. Even through its transformation, the footprint of many of the anchor businesses are still here, and that’s because we cater to the needs of the neighbourhood. Since many members live in the area, Balance was designed to be like an extension of their homes; after all, for some it’s a place they can come to decompress or find motivation to their path of wellness. Our core strength is delivering on our health and wellness promise, and that starts the moment you walk in through our doors. You’re not a number, we know you by name.

Y+S: One of the things we noticed when we toured Balance, was the use of natural materials. It really has that bespoke boutique feel. Whether it’s the gray slate that anchors the hallways or the hotel-like changerooms with radiant heating underfoot, there is a sense of calm throughout the space.  We can see why your members enjoy working out at your gym. Plus, even though it was busy, it doesn’t have that high-volume feel.

TM: Thanks for noticing. That feeling is something our members have requested and we listened. We also took that design sensibility to the workout areas. The space is illuminated by natural light, which pours in from floor-to-ceiling windows; the lightly coloured wooden floors are easy on the body. But make no mistake, this gym is packed with state-of the-art fitness equipment and, in 2020, new equipment will be brought in to meet the ever-changing demands of our members. We are always anticipating their needs and ensuring we are ahead of the curve. This fall we will be introducing a new lineup of classes in our studio. So as our members evolve, so do our offerings.

Y+S: What’s the Balance difference?

TM: Our team. Our clientele expects a higher level of service and knowledge, and all our personal trainers have a university degree and are industry-certified in their specialty. They’re passionate about wellness and carefully tailor their training to each member. It’s not a cookie-cutter approach. We match members with the appropriate trainer so they can get maximum results.

Y+S: Getting people back to their optimal health is a priority at Balance. Is that why you brought ESM Clinics under the direction of Dr. Erin Saltzman to Balance?

 TM: The key is helping people to use their bodies to their fullest potential, and sometimes it means joints and muscles, etc., need to be retrained. With Functional Integrated Therapy, Dr. Erin Saltzman and her team can access movement dysfunctions and joint restrictions. We wanted to offer this care to everyone – not just to elite athletes.  With that in mind, we decided to extend our health and wellness promise by expanding on our team of health-care specialists, including Kinesiologists, Exercise Physiologists, Chiropractors, Naturopaths, Acupuncturists, Registered Massage Therapists and Exercise Rehabilitation Therapists. This one-stop approach with ESM Clinics helps in combining the care of a Balance Registered Therapist with a Balance-certified Personal Trainer, which can help speed recovery in the case of an injury but also can provide the fitness regime best suited for our members. And this care is not just for our members – this service is also available to the Y+S community.

Y+S: You’ve mentioned the business owners who are located at Y+S have not only invested time and money to make it what is it today, but that they’re also residents in the community who look after each other. Can you explain?

TM: They help each other. You may recall the six-alarm fire at the Badminton & Racquet Club, February 14, 2017. It was devastating to the club and members alike. I reached out to them and offered our club as a place where their members could continue with their fitness regime at Balance. That’s what neighbours do.

Y+S: Are you living your dream?

TM: You know, I really enjoy what I do – so yes.  It’s my passion. I work a lot – but I enjoy it.

Visit Balance at 52 St. Clair Avenue East or visit their website at balancefit.com

Just like the neighbourhood at Yonge + St. Clair, family businesses like Marquess Jewellers are constantly evolving, striving to keep memories alive and spark new traditions. We spoke with Vicky Atikian the owner at Marquess Jewellers about her recent storefront transformation.

This article was provided by Marylene Vestergom, a marketer and freelance writer whose curious mindset allows her to implement strategies and bring them to life.

Yonge + St. Clair:  When did you start?

Vicky Atikian: It’s a family business, so in many ways, I was born into this business. My parents opened the store in 1982, so we’ve been around for 37 years, and just like the transformation of the Y+S area, we’ve also evolved. We were first located in the upper level of the Y+S Centre, and then in 1998 we changed location to the other side of the Centre. Then we underwent a huge transformation and re-opened last May on the lower level. We were nervous at first, but our customers have not let us down. We are very much an anchor to the neighbourhood, a place many consider familiar – a part of their extended family where their memories and keepsakes are treasured and new traditions made.

Y+S: In retail, longevity is hard to achieve. What’s the secret? 

VA: We are a family of jewellers. My father, who started his career at 18 when he was a teenager in Jerusalem doing repairs and then when he came to Canada, he worked with other jewellery companies, later opened up Marquess Jewellers.  My mother worked by his side, and they were the ones who laid the foundation. Now I own the store with my husband Arthur, whose own family’s roots has many branches linked to this trade. My sister and I are both gemologists, so the knowledge is deep, and my parents are still involved, so there is always someone to go to get advice etc.  So, you can say, we like keeping it in the family.

Y+S: There has been a noticeable transformation to the look and feel of your store, was that a conscious decision? 

VA: We wanted to create a boutique feel, but we also knew any changes we made had to reflect the needs of our customers. It had to be approachable and welcoming, so the space is bright and light. We also didn’t want customers to feel intimidated, we wanted them to be able to browse, so we added drawers so they could open them up and peek inside. It’s almost like having their own jewellery box at their fingertips, discovering new treasures and artisans.

Y+S: What makes this neighborhood special?

VA: This is a close-knit community, and it’s one of the oldest suburbs, with a very rich history.  We’ve been lucky to have been part of it, and our success comes from word of mouth from other stores in the area and our customers.  Some have lived here for generations, so you’re always guaranteed to run into someone you know. In many ways, it’s a bit of a meeting place. 

What can customers expect?

VA: Our reputation is built on our service, and it’s central to our success. We take a personal interest in the items our customers entrust in our care. There is a huge emotional attachment — a sentimentality and lineage that has to be respected — and it’s something we never take for granted.  That’s why we take the time to explain the repair process. When it comes to mark a special occasion, we know it can be an emotional purchase, and it’s important they love what they buy. We are also a full-service destination offering onsite repairs, from batteries and watchbands to stone replacements and ring resizing – no request is too small. We also love working on special design projects to mark a special moment in time. 

Y+S: You mentioned working on special projects. Can you share an experience?

VA: Recently I had a special request from a gentleman who was quite ill and wanted to give his wife one more piece. Together we worked on something that was very representative of their loving family. It was a tree of life pendant, and each branch represented their four children and the leaves, their respective grandchildren. I certainly won’t forget that piece nor that family. It was an honour to be a part of that gift.

Y+S: Has jewellery always been your passion?

VA: I can’t imagine doing anything else. The best part is you never stop learning, especially when your extended family shares in the same passion, there is always something new to learn. 

Y+S: Now that you have a new look and the neighborhood and Y+S continues to transform, what can your customers expect? 

VA: I love creating events and introducing our customers to new things.  I did a trunk show last November of Roman coins and hand-carved Venetian glass in silver and gold featuring Italian jewellery designer Tagliamonte. In September, we are hosting our own mini-Antique Roadshow, an appraisal clinic where customers can book their own scheduled appointment with an associate from renowned gemologist from Harold Weinstein Ltd. She will provide an appraisal onsite and then a report will be sent to us in a few weeks’ time for the customer. This way the customer can still leave our store with their treasure in-hand with the knowledge their piece will be appraised, including documentation for safekeeping. It’s a lot of fun and the event books quickly, so we will ensure it’s part of our calendar of events.

Y+S: Are you living your dream?

VA: Yes. It’s something that I’ve always wanted to do, and every day is different. The best part is our extended family — the generation of customers we have known over the 37 years and counting!

Visit Marquess Jewellers, at the St. Clair Centre – Lower Level or visit their website at marquessjewellers.com

Calling all artists and designers! We’re seeking proposals for outdoor art installations for our upcoming Fall Art Festival, and offering $5,000 honorariums to selected artists! The deadline to submit is August 30 at 5:00pm EST.

Read the full Submission Guidelines (PDF)

SUBMIT YOUR APPLICATION

About the Event

The Yonge + St. Clair Business Improvement Area (BIA) is currently accepting applications for the Annual Fall Art Festival, an outdoor exhibition of installation art from October 5 – November 2, 2019. This inaugural festival is intended to become an ongoing annual showcase of outdoor installation art in the heart of Midtown Toronto.

Theme – “Transform”

Spaces in our lives that go unchanged become invisible.  However, when changed – we are forced to respond.  Our navigation must alter to accommodate this new state.  A changed routine will transform the familiar to unfamiliar.  This change will punctuate unique moments in our timeline.  Change can offer a new perspective or highlight one that was previously unnoticed.  Change can ask a question or provide a solution.   We’re seeking artists and designers to explore the notion of transformation by creating installations that disrupt space and challenge the image and experience of the public realm.

Location

Selected artists/designers will be invited to construct their installations in privately-owned public spaces around the Yonge + St. Clair community in midtown Toronto, Ontario (see map below). Generally, installations will be located on flat, even pavement on the ground plane and exposed to the elements. Locations range in size and scale, but will generally be unobstructed square or rectangular placement locations. Proposals should be flexible enough to accommodate varying locations situations, but the BIA will work with the selected artists/designers to find suitable locations.

General Terms of Entry

The Fall Art Festival submission is open to all artists and designers of all mediums.

Acceptance of work is not guaranteed. The Yonge + St. Clair BIA’s decision is final. Any work not meeting the stated terms of entry will not be considered.

Entry forms must be filled out correctly. When filling out your application, you must use your legal name. Companies/organizations/collectives may submit 1 application package, but must apply with the full legal name of a representative/contact person

To be eligible as a collective, you must have produced a collaborative body of work and worked together for a minimum of two years to develop a singular artistic/design practice.

Who can apply

We welcome individual artists, designers, and artist groups at any stage of their careers with formal or informal training, from all disciplines, to apply to be a part of the Yonge + St. Clair Annual Fall Art Festival. Artists and designers must be comfortable working with materials and structures that can withstand outdoor conditions.

Honorarium

Selected artists/designers will receive a $5,000.00 CAD honorarium. Selected artists/designers will be responsible for all associated expenses with their artwork including, but not limited to, transportation, storage, materials, installation, and take-down.

Application Process

Submissions must be made through the online Google Form at https://forms.gle/TXLyGjLfPPXyWd768.

Applicants must submit a completed application form – including an artist statement, and a maximum of 5 images in JPG format, each image no larger than 3MB. There is no submission fee.

Selection

All submissions will be reviewed, scored, and selected by representatives of the Yonge + St. Clair BIA. Works will be selected based on originality, quality, expression of the theme, and overall impression. We recommend all applicants to submit high quality images that effectively communicate the proposed installation.

2019 Important Dates

August 6                      Submissions open

August 30                    Submissions close

September 6               Selected artists notified

October 3                    Installations complete

October 4                    Media Preview – selected artists must be available to attend (time TBD)

October 5                    Launch Event – selected artists must be available to attend (time TBD)

November 2                Festival End

Use of Images

Selected artists will grant the Yonge + St. Clair BIA educational and promotional usage rights for your images. You are agreeing to license the Yonge + St. Clair BIA usage rights only; the artist always retains their copyright.

Yonge + St. Clair offers a variety of green, and open spaces if you know where to look. Whether you’d like to go for a daytime stroll, or want a breather from your weekly routine here are the Top 5 local park spaces near Yonge + St. Clair.

Delisle – St. Clair Parkette

The Delisle – St. Clair Parkette is located at 17 Delisle Avenue, tucked behind the row of office and commercial buildings that line St. Clair W. Despite it’s central location at Yonge + St. Clair it offers a peaceful green space, and is situated in an easily accessible location for your weekday lunch break.

Visit this location: Delisle – St. Clair Parkette

Amsterdam Square

Amsterdam Square is located at the corner of St. Clair W and Avenue Road and features an ornamental fountain, crisscrossing pathways, and a tree canopy that provides ample shade. The fountain was donated to the City of Toronto by a local realtor, H. H. Williams, who also donated the land for the park in the late 1920s.

Visit this location: Amsterdam Square

Yellow Creek Ravine – Vale of Avoca

The Yellow Creek Ravine is a forested ravine that is a tributary to the Don River, with trails leading down into the Kay Gardner Beltline Trail. Yellow Creek access may be altered due to construction now through 2021, although once you find the trail you will be greeted by a forested path and the sound of the creek below.

Visit this location at: Yellow Creek Ravine Trail

Ravine Bench

The Ravine Bench is located on the northeast corner of Yonge + St. Clair, outside 2 St. Clair E. The bench offers public seating at the heart of the intersection. As the designer describes it: “The design itself is reflective of the ravines that cut through St. Clair. It is a combination of solid stone, plants and the abstracted levels and cuts that break the landscape here. We went through several iterations, but the ravine just felt right and fit so well with the (2 St. Clair E) building while also adding some softness and nature to the corner.”

Visit this location: 2 St. Clair E

David Balfour Park + Rosehill Reservoir

David Balfour Park is a 20.5 hectare green space featuring, ornamental fountains, reflecting pools and floral decorations. Unfortunately, construction on the reservoir underneath the park will continue until 2021, with the park again being fully closed.

Visit their location at: David Balfour Park

For more updates on the Yonge + St. Clair neighbourhood, follow us on social media @yongestclair on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram or subscribe to the newsletter by scrolling to the bottom of the page.

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Artl

Described as the next Andy Warhol by the Toronto Star, artist Daniel Mazzone is currently leading the artistic charge here at Yonge + St. Clair with an interesting large scale mural. Using images of his icons, Daniel has created a mosaic collage that will span two entire levels on the north west corner of Yonge + St. Clair.

Helping to transform the four corners during the upcoming construction for the new concept restaurant from Buca, pedestrians will be able to experience a unique art form that has become his signature look.

We took a few minutes to chat with Daniel so we could learn more about his work and how it came to be.

How did you get into art and were you always hoping to be an artist?

I come from an artistic family, my mother was an art instructor and I became really interested in the composition and production of stained glass at a young age. I used to be a mortgage broker, but in 2011 I quit my job to purse what I was really passionate about – art.

What are some recent projects you have been working on?

I worked with the W Hotel in Miami Beach to put up large-scale prints of my work in their nightclub – Wall Lounge. It was intended to be temporary for Art Basel, but the response was so positive that they want to keep it permanently. The prints are 40 feet by 30 feet.

Your art has a very distinct look to it, what is the medium you use for your pieces?

All my pieces are collages. I rip up pieces of paper and other printed materials that I find and glue then on wood. For example, the Michael Jackson piece featured on the hoarding was created using pieces of his music albums, magazine interviews, and other memorabilia.

How long does each piece take you to complete?

Roughly 200 hours

Tell us more about the Yonge + St. Clair hoarding and how that came to life.

The hoarding features a few of my works that were photographed, resized to be large-scale and then printed on vinyl. James Dean, Michael Jackson, and Charlie Chaplin span the entire hoarding that you can see from Yonge St and St. Clair W. I am really looking to do more street art and large-scale mural work. This would be my first project of that nature and I’m very pleased with the way it turned out.

I choose these iconic people because they are people who had a tough life like myself and made it through the trenches and followed their dreams.

How can people get in contact with you?

My studio is my gallery, 55 East Liberty Street, and I am reachable via email.

Thank you Daniel!

To contact Daniel, or to view more of his work, you can visit his website HERE.

Daniel’s work is now visible from the corner of Yonge + St. Clair from now until late 2018

We are proud to announce that thirty-nine children from Yonge + St. Clair‘s Toronto Children’s Chorus (TCC) have been selected to perform on the international stage during the 11th Symposium on Choral Music in Barcelona, Spain, this July. The TCC is one of 24 choirs selected from across the globe and have also been chosen to be 2017 ambassadors by the International Federation for Choral Music. Universally renowned Artistic Director Elise Bradley will present a lecture, titled Choral Sound Concept: Vision, Visualization and Vowels at the festival. The choir is the top ensemble within the Toronto Children’s Chorus’ family of choirs. Congratulations TCC!

“We are absolutely thrilled to have been selected to perform at the 11th World Symposium on Choral Music – a triennial conference that is one of the most prestigious international choral events! The choir will be sharing an eclectic array of repertoire entitled Global Illuminations – that reflect the theme Colours of Peace!” says Artistic Director Elise Bradley.

Leading up to July’s tour to Spain, the Chamber Choir can be heard in concert with other Toronto Children’s Chorus singers on the following dates:

April 8 at 4 PM: “Reflections”

Rosedale United Church, 159 Roxborough Dr.

May 6 at 3 PM: “In Peace and Celebration”

Toronto Centre for the Arts, 5040 Yonge St.

July 8 at 5 PM: “Tour Send-Off Concert”

Church of the Redeemer, 162 Bloor St. W.

Tickets available online at torontochildrenschorus.com

[arve url=”https://youtu.be/kIFd5Ryky-4″ mode=”normal” align=”none”/]

The Toronto Children’s Chorus celebrates its 40th anniversary during the 2017/18 season and its eleventh under Artistic Director Elise Bradley and has been based in the Yonge + St. Clair neighbourhood since 2007. More than 300 choristers develop skills in vocal technique, sight-singing and music theory each year with auditions held in May and September. The Main Choir also offers workshops and exceptional performance and recording opportunities, including with the Toronto Symphony Orchestra.

Read more about the Toronto’s Children’s Chorus here.

Easter at Yonge + St. Clair means a fantastic range of great Easter events, even for those that don’t usually celebrate Easter. After all, Easter long-weekend is a time to enjoy the long awaited pleasant spring weather with friends and family – chocolates, egg painting, and Easter egg hunts abound.

If you’re still looking for fun family events and ideas in the heart of Toronto, you are in the right place. Today, we’ve curated some of the best Easter weekend events and gifts around Yonge + St. Clair. So hop to it and make plans for the best Easter ever, right here, at Yonge + St. Clair.

Easter Egg Painting at Todmorden Hills

Some of Toronto’s best spring events are also family-friendly, with the city offering families a chance to “learn an ancient art form” at Todmorden Hills, set in the beautiful Don Valley. From March 24th-31st, you and your family can get into the Easter spirit by creating your own personalized pysanky (Easter eggs) using traditional wax resist techniques. The event requires pre-registration by contacting the Todmorden Hills Heritage Site. You can read more about the event here.

Easter Brunch at Casa Loma

Experience the splendour of Casa Loma this Easter Sunday. The much-celebrated historic site is once again holding their Annual Easter Brunch “served in the stately elegance of Toronto’s famous castle.” Reservations are required, and you and your family are welcome to explore the castle after the meal. Read more here.

The Good Friday Concert at Yorkminster Baptist Church

The Yorkminster Baptist Church has a deeply rooted history at Yonge + St. Clair, originally congregating in 1829. On Good Friday, the church will be holding their annual Good Friday concert kicking off at 4 PM at 1585 Yonge Street. All are welcome!

The Easter Treats at Yonge + St. Clair

Yonge + St. Clair is blessed to have one of the best chocolatiers in the city, right down the street at Nadege Patisserie. This year’s Easter Collection features their signature Grand Cru Valrhona Chocolate moulded into delightful hens, eggs, and bunnies for the holiday. All Easter products are in limited supply, so visit their shop at 1099 Yonge St. soon. Additionally, if sweets aren’t your thing, DAVIDsTEA at Yonge + St. Clair is offering limited edition Easter Teas, from Chocolate Cake to Sunny Citrus, packaged in adorable Easter eggs.

Easter dinners at Yonge + St. Clair

With Good Friday, Easter Sunday, and Easter Monday occupying the long weekend – it’s often difficult to gauge which restaurants will be open during the holiday. Luckily, we have you covered. It will be business as usual for most restaurants at Yonge + St. Clair for Good Friday, with Barnsteiner’s and The Monk’s Table offering seafood specials to commemorate the holiday. Barnsteiner’s, Schnitzel Hub, Scallywags, The Jester on Yonge, and Union Social will be open Easter Sunday, with Union Social also offering brunch Easter Monday.

Easter long weekend is a time well spent with family, and there’s no other place like Yonge + St. Clair to find the perfect spot for a gathering. We hope our guide helped with your hunt to make this Easter a truly memorable one.