Gingerbread Lane comes to Yonge + St. Clair from December 10–28, transforming the neighbourhood into a festive stroll of custom gingerbread storefronts created by talented bakers. Explore each display, vote for your favourite, and enjoy a full lineup of holiday programming throughout the month.
Kick things off at our Launch Night on Wed Dec 10, complete with holiday photobooths, live music, snacks, drinks, and the first chance to pick up a map and ballot. Then, join us for a cozy Holiday Market Dec 11 & 12 featuring local makers and artisan gifts, and bring the whole family to our Family Day on Dec 13 for gingerbread cookie decorating, snowglobe-making, face painting, and festive photos. And while you’re here cast a vote for your favourite window display from Dec 10 – 28th.
Scroll below for the full schedule and RSVP links for all Gingerbread Lane events.
Gingerbread Lane Launch Night
Dec 10 | 55 St. Clair West 4PM -7PM:
Celebrate the opening of Gingerbread Lane with a festive evening filled with holiday photo moments, live acoustic music, warm seasonal snacks and drinks, and a first look at this year’s gingerbread window displays. Guests can pick up a printed map, grab a ballot, and begin exploring the neighbourhood trail while enjoying the cozy kickoff atmosphere inside 55 St. Clair West.
Pop-up Holiday Market
Dec 11 – 12| 55 St. Clair West 3PM -7PM:
Explore a curated indoor market featuring local makers, and small businesses offering handcrafted gifts, treats, and seasonal goods. A cozy one-day shopping experience designed to celebrate and support the Yonge + St. Clair community. RSVP below for event reminders.
Family Day
Dec 13 | 55 St. Clair West 1:00 – 3:00 PM
Celebrate the season with a family-friendly day of crafts and creativity. Kids can decorate gingerbread cookies, make their own snowglobes, get festive face painting, and snap adorable photos in our holiday setups.
Gingerbread Lane Raffle Contest – $250 & $750 Prizes
Dec 10 – 28th | 16 Locations
Take a stroll and visit sixteen (16) classic holiday windows featuring professionally crafted gingerbread houses crafted by 3 bakeries and 1 professional window designer. It’s also your chance to WIN $250, and $750 towards an Yonge + St. Clair establishment of your choice for your office team when you vote for your favourite display.
How to Enter
+ Visit all sixteen (16) gingerbread displays on the map below, all located within a 8-minute walk in Yonge + St. Clair (St. Clair Station)
+ Vote for your favourite display by returning the completed ballot to a participating location’s vote box. You can pick up a ballot at any participating location, or event listed above.
+ Fill and return the ballot to any participating location by Sunday December 28th.
+ This ballot counts for the individual prize draw – add your office info for a shot at the workplace prize too
+ Prize winners will be contacted via email and announced via Yonge + St. Clair social media by January 19th, 2026
+ If you do not pick up a ballot in-store or in-event, you can also print the ballot, and follow the above instructions to submit your vote.
+ The participating locations are shown on the map below.
Mark your calendars and get ready to celebrate the season at the Toronto Gingerbread Festival. Let’s make this the sweetest holiday yet! ✨
This isn’t just a list—it’s a guide written by the people and storeowners who live and work here. From tucked-away cafés to indie retailers and trusted neighbourhood services, these are the hidden gems that give Yonge + St. Clair its character. Start with what’s nearby and discover the neighbouhood from the lens of locals who know the block.
Scroll down to browse these categories: Shopping | Dining | Services All walkable. All homegrown. All yours to explore.
🍽️ DINE LOCAL
Whether you’re craving a sit-down meal or something sweet to-go, these restaurants and cafés serve up flavour with community spirit.
El Inka
Authentic Peruvian cuisine + cocktails in a laidback atmosphere One look at their menu and you’ll see why El Inka is a as real as they come. Family-owned, authentic Peruvian recipes without compromising identity, and forever growing in popularity, this restaurant is a place you hope will remain a local hidden gem for years to come.
One of the City’s last remaining traditional deli experiences that’s consistently delicious A pillar of the deli scene since the 1980’s Zelden’s is a local legacy that scratches the classic deli itch with hearty sandwiches and homemade sauces. Delicious, wholesome and familiar. It’s hard to imagine a more traditional deli in Toronto. Don’t miss their outdoor patio this summer.
Wine, dine, and unwind with modern Indian cuisine A refined-yet-relaxed spot serving modern Indian dishes alongside a curated wine list. A must-add to your repertoire of dine-in restaurants in this neighbourhood, enjoy a summer evening on their cozy covered patio. A family-owned restaurant with a sister location in Unionville.
Sweet summer desserts, with a twist Crunchy pastries with ice cream fillings? This might be your new go-to summertime treat. This Toronto-based hotspot is growing quickly across the City with its third of five locations in the City here at Yonge + St. Clair.
Your go-to for friendly faces and coffee/tea Known for their owner’s neighbourly charm and infectious personality, this tucked-away café offers locally roasted coffee, pastries, and warm welcomes daily. Serving this neighbourhood for over 20 years.
On the run? Grab your shawarma and Mediterranean grill staples for a fast casual bite Whether it’s a pita wrap, rice or fries you’d like to accompany your choice of Mediterranean grill selections this locally-owned and operated shawarma shop serves up great flavour and value.
Toronto’s most popular sandwich shop has its flagship location here A local startup success story, the entrepreneurial couple from Germany took the premium sub sandwich scene by storm in 2018 expanding from a single, over-the-counter shop in Rosedale to multiple locations across Toronto’s busiest intersections. From savoury subs to creative takes on grilled hot dogs this is a go-to hotspot for a satisfying bite.
Whole food for the soul With great coffee too! Mary Be Kitchen serves wholesome, made-from-scratch comfort food that feels like home – hearty bowls, seasonal salads, and baked goods made with real ingredients. It’s the go-to spot at Yonge + St. Clair for anyone who wants a meal that’s both nourishing and genuinely satisfying.
Looking for something special? These retailers offer unique finds, curated collections, and proudly Canadian picks—all within a short stroll.
photcred: IG @patriciamccowan
Book City
Independent bookshop with eclectic finds at great prices Since 1976, this Toronto-run independent bookstore has stocked its shelves with an eclectic mix of new and backlist titles, packing their shelves high with bargain and unexpected finds.
Boutique finds for your pet and other rare treats An indie pet shop that pampers shoppers and their pets, Pawmart focuses on retailing high quality pet products and premium treats you won’t find anywhere else. Locally-owned with some of the friendliest service you’ll encounter, stop by if you’re shopping in the area for you and your pets.
Gifts for every occasion with a Canada Post mailing centre for added convenience 30 years and going strong, this family-owned gift and card shop boasts a postal mailing service via Canada Post on-site too!
Boutique gifts and flair in the heart of Midtown For 22 years Steven Gerry has been collecting, curating and vending some of this neighbourhood’s most unique and trendy gifting options. You’ll find a touch of class and humour in the stock they carry. This spot is perfect for your next special occasion.
Your local home goods to feel your best Andrea Szomor has been a trusted local source of natural health products, supplements and curated home goods for the Yonge + St. Clair community for over 25 years. Their shoppe also has a mini grocery store stocking vegan, non-GMO and green foods.
From self-care to everyday essentials, these services are run by people who live—and care—right here in your community.
Top Knot Pet Grooming & Atelier
Expert pet grooming with heart, style, and a splash of colour. New to the Yonge + St. Clair community, Top Knot is a woman-led, Canadian-owned boutique salon offering low-volume, high-quality grooming with a focus on gentle handling, skin + coat care, and beautifully styled cuts—from breed-standard to Asian Fusion and Teddy-Bear trims. They even offer pet-safe colouring and spa-like treatments for your pup.
📍 46 St. Clair East E, Unit B102 📞 (647) 325-6274 🕒 Tue–Fri 10AM-5PM | Sat 11AM – 5PM 🌐 IG: @thetopknotgrooming
Haru’s Barbershop
Classic men’s cuts, newly rooted in the neighbourhood New to the area and independently run, Haru’s offers men’s cuts with a side of community charm.
Proudly locally owned and operated for nearly 8 years, many of this wellness clinic’s clients are local office workers who stop in for massages on their lunch breaks or after work—making wellness a part of their regular routine.
Straight Up Health is the neighbourhood mental wellness clinic for youth, adults, and families using evidence-informed mental health support in a way that’s modern, personalized, rooted in real connection and grounded in clinical expertise. Supporting individuals and families in the Yonge + St. Clair neighbourhood for over half a decade their office is easy to access, and they regularly collaborate with local schools like The York School, UCC, and Branksome Hall, and local businesses like Fitzrovia and Wittington.
Ronit Wilk, owner and operator of the local Oxygen Yoga & Fitness Studio comes from a Biomolecular Research background and has taken a multi-disciplinary approach to combining health sciences, fitness and wellness. This studio space features far-infrared panels for additional warmth and therapy, and focuses on group classes within their vibrant community. OYF studios are proudly Canadian with 15 years of operational history.
The Yonge + St. Clair BIA and the local Fairgrounds Racket Club are teaming up to bring the midtown community together through movement, fitness, and connection. From September 16th – 18th 2025 from 4PM – 8PM, enjoy free classes led by a variety of neighborhood health + wellness businesses alongside Fairgrounds pickleball coaches. If you’ve ever wanted to try a new class or explore a new wellness disciplines sign up below!
👉 Sign up by using the links below for specific classes you’re interested in. Use the links below to register for the classes you’d like to join. Space is limited, so please only reserve time slots you’re confident you can attend.
👉 Ensure you select the correct date and timeslot on the event page. Some classes can only be booked starting September 11th 2025.
Dates and registrations may be subject to change at the discretion of instructors and site management. Please note dates and times may be subject to change on short notice due to weather.
Spots are limited, so we encourage you to register early. 👉 Sign up by using the links below for specific classes you’re interested in. Use the links above to register for the classes you’d like to join. Space is limited, so please only reserve time slots you’re confident you can attend.
A special thanks to our site and event partners
Fairgrounds is a free-to-join public racket club — built for the way people actually want to play.
A special thanks to our locally-based instructors and the generosity of their teams
B-Stretched | 30 St. Clair W #101 | Services to support mobility, recovery, and overall well-being Balance Fitness | 52 St. Clair E | Boutique fitness studio featuring natural light, exclusive fitness areas, focused class sizes
RingFit Boxing | 1 St. Clair E, lower concourse – enter from Yonge St. | Founded by Canadian Middleweight Champion, offering classes for all levels
F45 Training | 1 St. Clair E, lower concourse – enter from Yonge St. | High-intensity, functional group workouts that are fast and fun
Straight Up Health | 2 St. Clair W Suite 1004 | Modern and relevant mental and therapy services for families and youth
Brought to you by the Yonge + St. Clair BIA. Bringing the neighbourhood together.
Step Into the Stories of Yonge + St. Clair: Heritage Toronto Walking Tours This September
This fall, we’re proud to bring the past and present together through a special collaboration with Heritage Toronto — offering a rare chance to walk the streets of Yonge + St. Clair through the lens of over a century of local stories.
These walking tours aren’t just about architecture or old photographs (though there’s plenty of that too). They’re based on real interviews with six long-standing local business owners whose stories span more than 120 years of life, change, and charm in this iconic Midtown neighbourhood. Through this partnership, Heritage Toronto historians-in-residence worked closely with the Yonge + St. Clair BIA to design three unique experiences that spotlight everything from the beauty industry to mom-and-pop diners — all told from the people who helped build them.
Whether you’re a history buff, a curious local, or just looking to see your city with fresh eyes, we invite you to sign up and step into the layered legacy of our community.
Upcoming Tours
Tour 1: Yonge & St. Clair — From the Ground Up 📅 Saturday, September 13 🕚 11:00 am – 12:30 pm We’ll peel back the layers of this vibrant community as we discuss the weighty topic of a community in transition.
Tour 2: Yonge & St. Clair — Diners, Drinks and Delis 📅 Thursday, September 25 🕒 6:30PM – 8:00PM A twilight tour through the tastes and tales of the neighbourhood’s food scene — from family delis to classic cocktail spots.
Tour 3: Yonge & St. Clair — Diners, Drinks, and Delis 📅 Saturday, September 27 🕡 11:00AM – 12:30PM Discover how small businesses and local developments transformed this corner of the city, one storefront at a time.
This summer, step into something a little brighter.
This summer from July 3 to August 28, 2025 we’re opening up something small – but full of charm.
Located at 📍 Wally Crouter Walkway (1507 Yonge Street – See Map) Sunny Side is a reimagined pedestrian cut-through – now transformed into a linear public seating area filled with picnic benches, dappled shade, and just enough programming to brighten your day.
It’s not a walkway anymore. It’s a stay-awhile spot. Perfect for lunch breaks, mid-day meetups, or a quiet moment with a coffee.
Whether you’re stepping out of the office or strolling in from the neighbourhood, Sunny Side offers a new kind of pause – unhurried, laidback, and right around the corner.
Open Daily, Alive Thursdays
Pull up to a bench any day of the week. No need to book, no need to rush. Just a spot to enjoy Midtown’s sunny side.
And every Thursday from 12PM – 2PM, the space comes to life with curated lunchtime programming: freebies with community partners, and the occasional DJ set. Each week brings a new reason to step outside and linger a little longer.
A Pop-Up Market is Coming Tuesday July 15, 2025 – Thursday July 17 @ 5PM – 8PM Daily
From July 15 to 17, 2025, the Sunny Side Market is bringing new energy to Yonge + St. Clair — transforming a Green P parking lot into a vibrant pop-up destination for handmade goods, gourmet snacks, and one-of-a-kind finds.
In partnership with AppleTree Markets and JLL, and proudly supported by Green P, this limited-run market is your chance to shop local in the heart of Midtown. No tickets, no rush — just a laid-back space to browse, connect, and soak up the summer.
📅 Thursday July 3, 2025 🕚 12:00 noon – 3:00 pm Canada’s Smallest National Park (Sort Of).
Live DJ Set: DJ Young Teesh We made a national park so small it fits in your lunch break. Come for a tongue-in-cheek take on everything Canadiana. Featuring DJ Young Teesh, freebies and other surprises await.
📅 Thursday July 10, 2025 🕚 12:00 noon – 2:00 pm Live DJ Set: Ark1tek
📅 Sunny Side Market!Tuesday July 15, to Thursday July 17th, 2025 🕚 Closed at 9AM – 2PM for private event, then open 5PM – 8PM for the market
🧺 Shop handmade goods, local bites, and creative finds in a pop-up market taking over the Green P lot. 5PM to 8 PM for three days only — no tickets, just good vibes.
Sunny Side is a community-run space, made possible through local partnerships and care. We kindly ask that you treat it like your own backyard—leave no mess, share the space, and keep it welcoming for everyone.
If you’d like to stay in the loop with all Yonge + St. Clair BIA events, pop-ups and local perks, subscribe to the monthly newsletter. Use this link or the button below. No spam, just local updates.
The Yonge + St. Clair Collectible Card Series is our love letter to this neighbourhood — a celebration of the characters, corners, and community projects that give the area its pulse. These aren’t just fun, vintage-inspired keepsakes. They’re snapshots of the people and ideas shaping this place — one storefront, community project, and story at a time.
Each card is a tribute.
To the business owners who open early and stay late.
To the artists turning blank walls into conversation starters.
To the city-builders, dreamers, and neighbours doing the good work, often without a spotlight.
How to Find a Card
These cards are limited-edition — printed in small batches and only available through local events, featured storefronts, and special activations. So if you spot one, don’t wait. Start your collection. Not every card will be easy to find, and we think that’s part of the fun.
We’ll be announcing each new card drop right here on this page — and on our social media channels, in the digital newsletter (subscribe here), and out in the wild at participating local businesses and neighbourhood events.
Think of it as a bit of a scavenger hunt — but with more local flavour and fewer cryptic clues.
Card Releases So Far
Paperboy Cards & Gifts – Featuring Steven Gerry (June 2025)
Front: Paperboy Card & Gifts, Storefront at 7 Pleasant Blvd.
Back: Steven Gerry, Owner + Operator. For 22 years Steven has operated his shop at 7 Pleasant Blvd – just steps from Yonge + St. Clair – collecting, curating and sharing boutique treasures with the neighbourhood.
Zelden’s Deli and Desserts – Irene and Shelley Zelden (June 2025)
Front: Zelden’s Deli and Desserts, Storefront at 7 Pleasant Blvd.
Back: Irene and Shelley Zelden. Carrying forward a Toronto deli legacy since the 1980s, Irene and Shelley Zelden blend tradition, innovation and sweet neighbourhood charm at Zelden’s Deli and Desserts.
Respecting Our Storytellers
All cards featuring real individuals are created with their knowledge, input, and full permission. We’re proud to work closely with the people who make Yonge + St. Clair special, and we aim to reflect their stories with care, creativity, and respect.
What’s the BIA got to do with it?
The Yonge + St. Clair BIA (Business Improvement Area) is behind the scenes — supporting local businesses, making the streets better to walk, gathering neighbours, and spotlighting the stories that don’t always make the news. This card series is just one way we’re doing that: celebrating the folk heroes of this neighbourhood.
Coffee with is a Cop is a public, drop-in meet and greet event, bringing Yonge + St. Clair’s police team (53 Division) together with members of public and local business owners for a casual chat over a coffee or tea. This informal event is designed to provide a chance for you to meet your local police team, ask any questions you’ve been curious about regarding police duties, and learn about the safety plan for Yonge + St. Clair throughout 2025.
On Wednesday April 23rd from 11AM – 1PM, come to La Barista Cafe located on the lower concourse of 12 St. Clair East to enjoy this community-led event produced by the Yonge + St. Clair BIA Follow the Yonge + St. Clair BIA on Instagram, and Facebook for ongoing updates.
How to Attend
RSVP now for a free coffee or tea when you come say hello to the 53 Division police team on event day. Limited beverage supply will be available for non-registered walk-in guests, while supplies last.
Details:
Wednesday April 23rd, 2025 – 11am to 1pm
La Barista Cafe, 12 St. Clair East – Lower Concourse
Enter through the main doors of 12 or 22 St. Clair East. Use the indoor escalators near the Loblaws, or stairs to reach the lower concourse. Follow signs to reach La Barista Cafe. Event staff and 53 Division police will be there to greet you.
Photography
When you attend this event, you enter an area where photography, audio, and video recording may occur. By entering the event premises you consent to such recording media and its release, publication, exhibition or reproduction.
Safety and Health
You are responsible for any dietary restrictions or allergy concerns.
Together we can build a community that’s both locally rooted and nationally strong 🍁
On this page, you’ll find a quick-start guide to support our homegrown and Canadian economy. Whether you’re discovering new local Yonge and St. Clair businesses just around the corner from your home or office, or discovering homegrown options for your upcoming purchases and appointments you’ll find easy and practical tips below. Save and share this link: www.yongestclair.ca/proudlycanadian to stay in the loop.
Below are 4 Easy Ways to Kickstart Your ‘Buy Canadian and Buy Local’ Impact
4 Easy Ways to Kickstart Your ‘Buy Canadian and Buy Local’ Impact
1. Start with Low Hanging Fruit
Some inexpensive ways to kickstart your impact and keep your dollars here at home include:
● Review and reconsider your online and paid subscriptions, and pause or cancel subscriptions
● Explore and discover local, homegrown businesses and services using the Yonge + St. Clair directory including local:
● Switch to Canadian big box stores. See the big Canadian list of places to shop as researched by Canadians (source: Reddit/r/buycanadian)
● Reconsider your payment methods and opt for cash or Canadian institutions to process your payments
● Use local or local taxi services instead of Uber or Lyft and consider international ride-share apps, ie. Hopp app (by Estonian-owned company, Bolt) now available in Toronto
● Choose Canada and local for your upcoming vacation
2. Spread the word.
Tell your friends and family about ways they can support local and Canadian. Suggest that people start with the above Low Hanging Fruit listed above. You can always revisit this page at: www.yongestclair.ca/proudlycanadian
3. Help improve the Yonge + St. Clair local directory.
● Suggest additions to the existing list by contacting [email protected]
● Correct errors in lists, our team will be happy to update the directory to make locations easier to find
● Share stories or purchases that are local or Canadian on your socials by tagging or mentioning Yonge + St. Clair on either Instagram or Facebook via @yongestclair or #yongestclair. We will repost your local and Canadian finds!
● Post reviews of local stores, goods and services so other people can discover them too (Google Maps, Yelp etc.)
● Inform us about brands, establishments, local businesses that support underrepresented demographics or have great ethical/sustainable practices in Yonge + St. Clair
The Yonge + St. Clair BIA team can be reached directly at [email protected]
4. Remember the big picture.
Our goal is to increase our impact in a way we can sustain for the long haul. We do not have to 100% divest from non-Canadian products to move the needle, as many existing Canadian and local businesses will have existing inventories and stock already. It will still help the local economy thrive whenever you purchase or book appointments and services with them. Buying and supporting local, independent Canadian-owned shops that source goods from abroad still sustains the Canadian way of life instead of purchasing directly from American alternatives.
Pictured above: Canadian-made birthday cards at Paperboy Cards & Gifts (7 Pleasant Blvd.) in Yonge + St. Clair
You can email [email protected] with any ideas, questions or concerns not covered on this resource page. Together we can build a community that’s both locally rooted and nationally strong 🍁
Things have gotten tougher lately—the Yonge + St. Clair BIA knows these aren’t just news headlines, they’re real issues affecting your shops and offices, your staff, and the community we all care about.
But here’s what we also know: resilience is woven into the fabric of small and commercial Canadian businesses. And with so much uncertainty at our doorstep, we’re focusing on what we can control: powering up our homegrown, neighbourhood economy by connecting your Canadian products, services, and expertise directly to the neighbors who need and value them most, while also uniting local businesses with domestic resources to keep growth rooted here.
Together we can build a community that’s both locally rooted and nationally strong 🍁
On this page, you’ll find timely resources gathered by the Yonge + St. Clair BIA to support your ongoing business efforts.
What You’ll Find on This Page [Updated: March 10, 2025]
+Tell us how trade tariffs are impacting your business: Take the time to complete the three (3) surveys from the City of Toronto, Yonge + St. Clair BIA and Canadian Urban Institute, so each organization can plan, advocate, and act appropriately on behalf of your interests
+ Bookmark and review the City of Toronto’s economic response webpage: Stay up to date on the City of Toronto’s response programs.
+ Review the practical guide to US-Canada tariffs for small and medium sized businesses: Read, save and share the free guidebook created by the Toronto Board of Trade on how to navigate the complexities of tariff impacts on your day-to-day operations.
+ Additional available grants, resources and key updates affecting Yonge + St. Clair BIA member businesses will be posted here.
Have Your Say: Tariff Impact Surveys
The US-Canada tariffs remind us how quickly the business landscape can shift. And although we’re determined to turn these challenges into opportunities for Yonge + St. Clair businesses, we can’t do it without your feedback.
Right now, the City of Toronto, Yonge + St. Clair BIA and Canadian Urban Institute need your feedback now to start accurately addressing your business concerns, resulting in the types of support required to future-proof your business and our communities.
Your feedback will directly inform the creation of:
+ City of Toronto led purchasing and support programs for local businesses
+ Hyper-local Yonge and St. Clair programs to amplify your business efforts
+ Broader advocacy and campaigning by the Canadian Urban Institute to all levels of government
This is in addition to Provincial and Federal aid programs which are currently being planned, more announcements to come.
You can complete the surveys using the links below 📝:
The City of Toronto aims to create and gather domestic resources that businesses can use to strengthen their self-sufficiency in response to US-Canada tariffs.
The City of Toronto is taking strong action to mitigate the effects of tariffs and strengthen local economic resilience, including:
+ Convening business and labour leaders to advise on the City’s response
+ Establishing a U.S. Engagement Secretariat within City Hall
+ Actively monitoring tariffs and implementing an action plan that includes enhanced local procurement to minimize disruptions
+ Gathering input from local businesses to understand how tariffs are affecting them.
Review and bookmark the City of Toronto’s economic response webpage, which contains ongoing updates and resources for all business types, including information on impacted sectors:
A Practical Guide for Small and Medium Businesses: Responding to Tariffs
To support businesses, particularly SMEs (small and medium-sized enterprises), The Toronto Board of Trade compiled key resources, expert insights, and practical tools to help mitigate the impact and identify strategic opportunities.
This playbook is your concise, actionable guide to navigating this turbulent period. It’s designed specifically for Canadian SMEs who need immediate, low-cost strategies to mitigate the impact of these tariffs and emerge stronger. Split into five modules, the playbook covers:
Download the full playbook (PDF) here: PDF Download
You can email [email protected] with any ideas, questions or concerns not covered on this resource page. Together we can build a community that’s both locally rooted and nationally strong 🍁
