There Goes the Neighbourhood?
Northronces.com is given a welcome mention in Hilda Hoy’s article in today’s Sunday Star (the article does not appear to be freely available on line) on the future opening of a Starbuck’s coffee shop in the old Bank of Montreal building at Dundas and Roncesvalles.
Hilda writes that Northronces.com, unlike others in the neighbourhood, is not that taken aback by this development, and that is indeed the case. She does not mention, however, the main reason for this lack of concern and that is that North Ronces, north of Hewitt Avenue, could use the boost to its profile.
As mentioned in a previous blog entry this part of our neighbourhood is generally considered an afterthought to area residents, a stretch that one visits only on the way to Loblaws or the Dundas West Subway station. Although there are a number of interesting small businesses—both old and new—in the area they face a challenge that other Roncesvalles businesses do not. Starbucks will hopefully signal the beginning of increased care and attention to the Dundas-Ronces corner.
Hating Starbucks has become a pop culture given
Is this a case of “gentrification”, “corporatization” or “globalization” and should we be concerned? Perhaps. There is definitely no shortage of Starbucks hatred, both justified and not. There is even a Starbucks “delocator” which helps you find out where Starbucks “is not” by showing where you can find non-corporate coffee shops across Canada. I have experienced this sort of generalized “Starbucks panic” first hand a number of other times, most notably in Vancouver’s east end back in the late 1980s. At the time, funky Commercial Drive, a cross between Toronto’s Little Italy and Queen Street west of Bathurst, was already home to a number of wonderful, well-established Italian and Portuguese cafés and was well known across the city as the place to grab an espresso or capuccino. Starbucks—back then a relatively new phenomenon even out on the Left Coast—opened up in the midst of this coffee plentitude to much consternation, probably more than I have experienced today in and around the Roncesvalles neighbourhood.
What ended up happening? Well, Starbucks was an instant success. What was even more shocking to some, however, was that the older establishments continued to thrive as well. I noticed that Starbucks simply attracted a different clientele that was not usually seen in the, shall we say, more colourful and idiosyncratic cafés. Further, the patrons of the latter became even stauncher in their support of their favourite hot-watering hole. Today, on Roncesvalles Avenue, while Starbuck fans will undoubtedly flock to the new location, many others will continue to frequent their caffeine provider of choice. In my case, that would be Alternative Grounds, for its great Fair Trade coffee, but even more for the unique local flavour and community it provides.
Get over it! Fight the real enemy not these little pointless wars. How about getting rid of the traffic on Roncy, the gas guzzling beasts of the new age. Alternative grounds sucks! their coffee is bitter and the service is slow and stoned. Try making it yourself, you decide what kind of coffee you drink, or even still tell Starbucks to serve fair trade coffee, they have it.
Comment by OJ simpson — May 16, 2006 @ 12:43 pm
Very sad day indeed. The thought of Starbucks opening in Roncey is shameful. Here is a company that steals locations from long term merchants with the power of the buck. As to the person posting that Alt. Grounds sucks, I must agree this is the most overrated coffee shop in the “hood”. I am tired of reading how with the arrival of Alt. Grounds came the change to Roncesvalles village.
Comment by Mark — May 23, 2006 @ 1:27 pm
I agree that Starbucks will bring needed investment to the area north of Hewitt (and you can’t steal an empty location), but I will still by my coffee from the best shop on Roncy, Cherry Bomb!
Comment by Marc — July 16, 2006 @ 8:29 am
You think Alternative Grounds on Ronces sucks? Ha! Try drinking the garbage they pass for coffee at Timothy’s or Second Cup. Alt. Grounds has by far superior java—in my opinion.
As for Starbucks on Ronces—Please! Ronces needs (understatement) to be spruced up—I cannot fathom how Toronto’s most beautiful neighborhood (east and west of Ronces) has such a crap main artery such as Roncesvalles.
That Starpolska ‘restaurant’ has GOT TO GO!
Comment by John Bradley-O'Neill — July 26, 2006 @ 4:02 pm
Even as a die-hard fan of Cherry Bomb java, I am loving the prospect of having Starbucks move into the old Bank of Montreal at the corner of Dundas West and Roncy. For all those that oppose corporate coffee, would you rather it was a Coffee Time? Bring on the hookers and the crackheads, lol! That corner has been so grim and desolate for such a long time. Now, with the opening of “B” breakfast place right across the street, and with the long standing Kuts salon to the south and the cheap and cheerful falafel place, there might be a nice little neighbourhood vibe beginning to happen. It’ll be interesting to see how the area changes with the increase in density as all these new developments come into play—High Park Lofts, the old Church south of Howard Park on Sunnyside, Robert Watson Lofts etc. They’re all due to be finished in the coming few months.
Comment by e_flat_d — February 19, 2007 @ 9:52 am
Ahhhh. Clearly a n00bie to the Roncesvalles area. Staropolska has “got to go”? That restaurant has been there for ages. Sure, the mullet sporting bud light drinking homestars on the corner don’t add much to the neighbourhoods ambience, but the food is fantastic—true polish cuisine. Let me guess…you only go to “polonez” for polish food? For shame! Don’t knock the businesses that have made Roncesvalles what it is today!
Comment by Laura — February 19, 2007 @ 10:37 pm
By the way, I’ll proudly sport my Starbucks travel mug with my orange tea in it. I’m not going to support alternative grounds (agreed, the service has gone waaaayyyyy down!) and their awful coffee/tea when I know I can get the good stuff right there! Hell…actually, I’d simply rather make it at home.
Comment by Laura — February 19, 2007 @ 10:40 pm
GOTTA LOVE THE ‘BUCKS’!!! This will be part of the boost the tired neighbourhood needs. Onward and upward!
Comment by Brian — May 5, 2007 @ 6:00 pm
Starbucks will be good for the hood, though I’m not a fan of the coffee. The traditional places should be appreciated. But where (oh where) did Cherry Bomb go? The MOST DIVINE coffee. Charming, sharp service, even decadent chocolate gluten-free cookies I could eat by the half dozen. Sunny, seventies’ wallpaper, and nice music. Where did it go?
Comment by Tricia — July 4, 2007 @ 9:33 pm
Have no fear, Cherry Bomb has not disappeared. They are just moving two or three doors north of their original location on Roncesvalles Avenue. They are currently closed for renovations.
Now, I have heard on the street they are moving for one of two reasons. The first is that they just need more room. The second—and this is just a rumour—their old landlord decided to open up a coffee shop in the original space due to Cherry Bomb’s amazing success. Creepy if true! Maybe someone can clarify.
Comment by NorthRonces — July 4, 2007 @ 11:18 pm
The Smarties commercial featuring Sly’s hit tune ‘Everyday People’ was partially shot just north of the Revue on Hewitt Ave. Look at the house behind the blonde lady guitarist, should be about #93.
Comment by Brian — February 19, 2008 @ 4:56 pm