christiesplits
Senior Member
The Starbucks at Dewhurst has shut down permanently.
While only vaguely advertised as such, the Old Nick was also lesbian-owned and, and historically at least, had events catered more to the LGBTQ2+ communities. So it could be added to the ever-longer list of closed "gay bars" in the city. I think WAYLA, which hasn't re-opened since COVID, is now the last remaining one east of The Village.Unfortunately also need to say the same for the Old Nick at Danforth/Broadview.
Athena bakery at 598 Danforth has closed its doors, Covid has really done a number on a fair few Greek businesses, was a good period of stabilisation a few years back but that’s gone out the window now, The Danforth/Logan block is interesting, on one side you have Alexandros, lukumum, Christina’s, friendly greek and Soulas, yet across the road it’s been decimated with cafe frappe, Fantasia and logo bar all gone, I think it’s just Athens pastries still standing. Pappas Grill is gone, Louis is gone and one of the Asteria‘s fell last year from memory. None of these Greek places have been replaced by other Greek establishments. The tide has turned to a point of no return.
I would have to say Pape Ave has become the better Greek strip now, has a nicer blend of the standard Greek fare (souvlaki/cafe/restaurants) but some nice smaller Greek shops that you just don’t find on the danforth proper anymore. You don’t have anything like Seranos on the danforth, or a Greek gift souvenir shop like Greek world, or a Greek floral shop etc. You can eat Greek food and do Greek shopping on pape. Danforth doesn’t give you that anymore.
The only way I see the Danforth having a Greek bounce back is if the Raptors sign Giannis lol
Athena bakery at 598 Danforth has closed its doors, Covid has really done a number on a fair few Greek businesses, was a good period of stabilisation a few years back but that’s gone out the window now, The Danforth/Logan block is interesting, on one side you have Alexandros, lukumum, Christina’s, friendly greek and Soulas, yet across the road it’s been decimated with cafe frappe, Fantasia and logo bar all gone, I think it’s just Athens pastries still standing. Pappas Grill is gone, Louis is gone and one of the Asteria‘s fell last year from memory. None of these Greek places have been replaced by other Greek establishments. The tide has turned to a point of no return.
I would have to say Pape Ave has become the better Greek strip now, has a nicer blend of the standard Greek fare (souvlaki/cafe/restaurants) but some nice smaller Greek shops that you just don’t find on the danforth proper anymore. You don’t have anything like Seranos on the danforth, or a Greek gift souvenir shop like Greek world, or a Greek floral shop etc. You can eat Greek food and do Greek shopping on pape. Danforth doesn’t give you that anymore.
The only way I see the Danforth having a Greek bounce back is if the Raptors sign Giannis lol
It's been a travesty, what's happened to The Danforth. COVID really drove the nail into the coffin. With Logo and Cafe Frappe hitting the dust, that's really the end of Greek nightlife on The Danforth, save for Strofes.
Pape is definitely the new Greektown. I don't find myself going down to Danforth for anything anymore and prefer to frequent the Greek shops and restaurants on Pape instead.
It's been a travesty, what's happened to The Danforth. COVID really drove the nail into the coffin. With Logo and Cafe Frappe hitting the dust, that's really the end of Greek nightlife on The Danforth, save for Strofes.
Pape is definitely the new Greektown. I don't find myself going down to Danforth for anything anymore and prefer to frequent the Greek shops and restaurants on Pape instead.
As a long time resident of Riverdale (35 yrs) and now a Leslieville resident. The ‘decline ‘ of ‘Greek’ Danforth started many years ago. In ‘93 the Danforth was known for souvlaki souvlaki or souvlaki. Gradually more diverse restaurants arrived. In addition the Danforth became less of an overall destination as the rest of a Toronto’s ‘hoods had their own interesting destinations/restaurants etc. However as a neighborhood the Danforth has never been more desirable. Maybe the Greek flavour is waning but the hood isn’t.