🍁Hey, Torontonians!

Hope you’re enjoying spring season with sun and rain in the city! we’re here to keep you in the loop with everything happening in the 6ix.

Don’t forget to share your thoughts in the poll at the end of this email—we love hearing from you! 😊

In today's edition:

• Gardiner Expressway Repairs Begin

• Restaurant of the Week: Stefano’s Diner.

• Vlad Jr. agrees to 14-year, $500M extension with Blue Jays

• Toronto shopping plaza could be torn down for enormous 7-tower complex

• World’s largest free-standing venue being built in Toronto for new Cirque du Soleil show. Here is a look inside

• Canada’s top hospital is hoping to attract world’s top scientists

• Community Digest: Grammy-nominated musician opening sandwich shop in Toronto.

— Harman
Toronto Local Loop

Quick News Bites

1. Toronto Janitors Prepare for Strike Vote: Over 3,000 private-sector cleaners in Toronto are set to hold a strike vote this Saturday, April 12, following unsuccessful negotiations with employers. The workers are seeking fair wages and better working conditions.

2. Gardiner Expressway Repairs Begin: Construction on the Gardiner Expressway has started, with lane closures expected to last nearly a year. This will likely cause significant traffic delays for commuters.

3. Toronto is preparing for the unveiling of the new St. Lawrence Market North building.

4. Community Events: April is filled with community activities, including the Canada International Textile and Apparel Expo on April 7-8 and the Job Fair Toronto on April 9. These events offer opportunities for networking and career development.

5. Health Alert: Toronto Public Health has issued a measles exposure warning for those who visited Woodbine Mall’s Fantasy Fair on March 30. Residents are advised to be vigilant about symptoms and seek medical attention if necessary.

🛍️ Shopping & Essentials

• CF Toronto Eaton Centre – Open daily (Mon-Sat 10 AM–9 PM, Sun 11 AM–7 PM). No special hours for this week

• Yorkdale Shopping Centre – Regular hours apply this week (Mon-Sat 10 AM–9 PM, Sun 11 AM–7 PM). Yorkdale is featuring new store openings and exclusive deals for spring.

🚌 City Services & Transit

• Line 2 - No service between Woodbine and Warden stations due to a fire.

• Line 2 - There will be no subway service between Jane and Ossington stations, starting 11 p.m., nightly Monday, April 7 to Friday, April 11, due to planned track work. Shuttle buses will operate.

• Line 1 Yonge-University: There will be limited nightly service between Vaughan Metropolitan Centre and Pioneer Village stations, starting 11 p.m. Monday, April 7 to Thursday, April 10, due to planned tunnel work.

• 503 - No service between Bingham Loop and Kingston Rd at Queen St East while we fix a mechanical problem.

• 503 - Delays between Bingham Loop and York St at King St West due to weather conditions.

• 33 - Detour northbound via Old Forest Hill Rd due to weather conditions.

• 36 - Detour eastbound via Jane St, Shoreham Dr, The Pond Rd and Sentinel Rd due to weather conditions.

• 37 - Detour southbound via Summitcrest Dr, Waterford Dr, Wincott Dr and Eglinton Ave W due to a collision.

• 75 - Detour via Glen Rd and Elm Ave due to a fire.

• 100 - Delays between Broadview Station and Overlea Blvd at Thorncliffe Park Dr (East) due to weather conditions.

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Restaurant of the Week:
Stefano’s Diner

Some places just feel like home the moment you walk in. Stefano’s Diner is one of them. Whether it’s the cozy, unpretentious vibe, the creative vegan sandwiches, or the nostalgic comfort of reimagined diner classics, this spot has quickly become a Toronto favourite—and for good reason.

Atmosphere and Location

Stefano's Diner is located at 1265 Dundas St. W., right at the corner of Dundas and Dovercourt in Toronto’s Trinity-Bellwoods area. The interior features a mix of modern and retro decor, including green leather booths and tile accents on the bar, creating a timeless and inviting ambiance. The sun-drenched space is cozy yet casual, making it perfect for solo diners or small groups looking to enjoy plant-based comfort food in a relaxed setting.

🍴 What to Try

• Must-try dish: New/School Foods salmon sandwich with beurre blanc and sea caviar on ciabatta—flaky, melt-in-your-mouth plant-based perfection.

• Don’t miss: Crispy vegan mozzarella sticks dunked in tangy house-made sauce.

Reviews

“Made a reservation and every part of this meal was worth it. The staff were great, welcoming, friendly and helpful. Made great recommendations based on our conversation. It was so good that I ordered some food to go to eat hours later. I highly recommend that you eat here, you won't regret a single bite, Do yourself a favour and get the garlic knot. I also love the fact that it's 100% vegan so we didn't have to worry about anything we ordered.”

— Google Reviewer

“Finally tried Stefano's last weekend and loved it. We had the meatball sandwich, eggplant parmigiana sandwich with salad & fries and everything was delicious. The bread is made in house, ingredients taste high quality, food was very flavourful + service was awesome. We felt like overall it's a great restaurant with a cute vibe and affordable prices for what you get compared to some other places in Toronto now.”

— Google Reviewer

📍 Location
265 Dundas St. W., Toronto
Price: $$ ($20–30 per person)
Phone: (437) 318-8697

Sources: Reddit, TorontoLife, foodism, Stefano’s Diner

NEWS

SPORTS
Vlad Jr. agrees to 14-year, $500M extension with Blue Jays

Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and the Toronto Blue Jays have agreed to a 14-year, $500 million contract extension, making it the largest deal in franchise history. The piece emphasizes the significance of this agreement, highlighting how it alleviates years of contract uncertainty surrounding the young star, who was approaching free agency. By securing Guerrero long-term, the Blue Jays demonstrate their commitment to building a competitive future around him and aim to establish him as a franchise icon who spends his entire career in Toronto.

Source: MLB

CITY
Toronto shopping plaza could be torn down for enormous 7-tower complex

A recent development proposal that could significantly reshape a section of the city. Specifically, it details a plan by Fiera Real Estate to demolish an existing low-rise shopping plaza located at 125 The Queensway. The intended replacement is a massive complex featuring seven high-rise towers, reaching up to 50 storeys, which would introduce nearly 4,000 new residential units to the area, capitalizing on its proximity to future transit options like the Park Lawn GO station and the existing streetcar line.

Source: BlogTO

World’s largest free-standing venue being built in Toronto for new Cirque du Soleil show. Here is a look inside

This CTV News article announces the construction of The Pavilion, which will be the world's largest free-standing venue, specifically built in Toronto for a new run of Cirque du Soleil's show, OVO. The piece details the impressive size and temporary nature of this "mobile arena," highlighting its previous appearances in other global locations. Furthermore, it provides information about the show itself, describing its themes around the world of insects and its history, including a previous engagement in Toronto.

Source: CTV News

Healthcare
Canada’s top hospital is hoping to attract world’s top scientists

A leading Canadian hospital network's initiative to recruit top global scientists, indicating a push for advancements in healthcare research. Beyond this central piece, the site provides a broad overview of current events, spanning national and local news, politics, business, health, and more, evidenced by numerous headlines and categorized sections. The inclusion of topics like the federal election, international conflicts, and shopping trends suggests the website aims to serve as a comprehensive source of information for a Canadian audience.

Source: CTV News

Community Digest
Grammy-nominated musician opening sandwich shop in Toronto

Summary: Grammy-nominated Toronto musician Charlotte Day Wilson is expanding her creative endeavors by opening a permanent sandwich shop called Tutto Panino in the Roncesvalles area, anticipated in the spring. The venture, which previously existed as a popular summer pop-up, will focus on Italian-style sandwiches and cannoli for takeout. The piece highlights Wilson's continued commitment to her Toronto roots and celebrates the city's thriving sandwich scene.

Source: blogTo, Tutto Panini, charlottedaywilson

Upcoming Events

Here are some highlights from April 8th to April 10th, 2025.

🎭 Comedy & Arts

• Toronto Sketch League | Tue, Apr 8, 9:30 PM | Comedy Bar Bloor

• Jason Leong | Wed, Apr 9, 7:30 PM | The Royal Theatre - Toronto

• Steve-O | Wed, Apr 9, 8:00 PM | Queen Elizabeth Theatre - Toronto

• In Search of Cruise Control (Solo Comedy) | Thu, Apr 10, Time 7:00 PM | Sweet Action Theatre

🎵 Music & Theatre

• J Balvin | Tue, Apr 8, 8:00 PM | Scotiabank Arena

• Traitors - Band | Tue, Apr 8, 7:30 PM | Lee's Palace

• Goldie Boutilier | Wed, Apr 9, 7:00 PM | Horseshoe Tavern

• Toronto Symphony Orchestra: Gustavo Gimeno - Romantic Treasures | Wed, Apr 9, 8:00 PM | Roy Thomson Hall

• Heart & Lucinda Williams | Thu, Apr 10, 7:30 PM | Coca-Cola Coliseum

Your feedback matters

Reply to this email with your choice!

Let us know what you think of this week’s edition, and don’t forget to share it with your friends and family. We’ll see you next week!

Cheers,
Harman
Toronto Local Loop

P.S.

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