Toronto Real Estate Agents | Julie Kinnear

Roncesvalles Village

RONCESVALLES VILLAGE is home to some of Toronto's most vibrant shopping districts, and it is naturally appealing with its tree lined streets and affordable, well preserved Edwardian and Victorian homes on deep lots. The area is a mix of leafy residential streets and small, family-owned retail and food shops as well as a very popular strip of organic cafes, Thai restaurants, greengrocers and hip specialty shops. It is also within walking distance of Toronto's waterfront parks, the Western Beaches and Boardwalk.

Roncesvalles Avenue

After WWII, the Roncesvalles area was transformed by the arrival of many European newcomers that included a large number of Poles. The Roncesvalles Village shopping district north of Queen St. is the cultural centre of Toronto's Polish community. (Although considered to be a prominently Polish community, the last 50 years has seen many ethnic groups settle in the area.) An afternoon stroll through this area will take you past eating establishments specializing in traditional cuisine: sausages, hand-made pierogies, sauerkraut, cabbage rolls and hearty soups like the delicious beet-based borscht, perfect for a cool day. There are many outstanding food markets, delis and restaurants along this route. Fun, community-based cultural events take place frequently, such as the Roncesvalles Village Polish Festival, a weekend event held every September.

Barque Exterior

For another vibrant commercial shopping area, Queen Street is ever-changing and full of interesting stores. There are many antique shops to crawl/roam through, and a full-on competition for budding chefs to open a gourmet restaurant to take advantage of this trendy spot.

High Park, with its 399 acres of parkland including picnic areas, flower gardens, animal paddocks, an outdoor amphitheatre, sports facilities and a large pond, is within walking distance. Sorauren Park is the main outdoor community meeting place, with many gatherings for dog lovers as well as the famous post-Halloween jack o' lantern display. The recreational paths along the waterfront are easily accessible. Additonal nearby parks include Charles G. Williams Park at Sorauren & Wabash.

Post-Halloween Jack o' lantern annual display in Sorauaren Park

All the neighbours bring out their carvings and you can stroll among the hundreds beautifully lit works of art

SUPPORT SORAUREN PARK TOWN SQUARE FUNDRAISING CAMPAIGN!

"Purchase a Paver" and help build a new Town Square in Sorauren Park. All donations receive a tax deductible receipt. Your name will be recognized on the Sorauren Park website and on the donor wall in the Fieldhouse. The new community "Purchase a Paver" campaign is based on the successful Fieldhouse "Buy a Brick" campaign. The Julie Kinnear Team has happily donated. Support in our local neighbourhoods are so important to the community and to our team! Visit local retailers for a donation form or visit www.SoraurenPark.com to donate.

There are also four community centres serving the area:

• Keele Community Recreation Centre, 182 Glenlake
• Parkdale Community Recreation Centre, 75 Lansdowne
• Masaryk/Cowan Community Recreation Centre, 220 Cowan
• Swansea Town Hall, 15 Waller

as well as two public libraries; one at 1303 Queen St. West and one at 228 Roncesvalles. The 30 year old residents' association has plans to transform a former linseed factory on the edge of Sorauren Park into another rec centre.

Local public schools include:

• Fern Ave. Jr. & Sr. Public School
• Howard Jr. Public School
• Garden Ave. Jr. Public School
• Parkdale Collegiate Institute (People are noticing & buying in Parkdale because Parkdale Collegiate now has an Ivy Program!)
• West Toronto Secondary School

French, alternative and separate schools also serve the neighbourhood.

Roncesvalles homes 3

The Revue Cinema has occupied its Roncesvalles Avenue location since 1912, and until June, 2006, never closed its doors. That gave it the distinction of being one of the oldest continuously running movie theatres in the country. The Revue, which was part of the Festival Cinemas group, had been owned by Etobicoke resident, accountant and film buff Peter McQuillan. He passed away in 2004 and his children decided to sell The Revue after continuing to operate it and two other theatres–the Royal and the Kingsway–for almost two years. They closed The Revue on June 30, 2006. The Revue Film Society, formed by residents and cinephiles upset that their much-loved cinema was closing, raised close to $130,000 to support a rescue effort. In 2007, the community-based organization negotiated a lease for The Revue with local residents Danny and Letty Mullin, who bought the property from the McQuillans. In August, 2007, the lease was put into effect and an army of volunteers scrubbed, fixed plaster, painted and scraped gum from under the seats. Neighbourhood sign maker Lee Newman crafted Revue Cinema letters to mount where the marquee had been. New carpets were also installed. Many supplies were donated by local businesses, such as paint from High Park Paint and Wallpaper.

Streetcar service on Roncesvalles, Queen, King, and Dundas connect you to the downtown subway stations or to stations on the Bloor-Danforth line. According to streetcar enthusiasts, Roncesvalles Ave. is a great place to ride a streetcar. “The stops are far enough apart to allow for some speed and the street is very lively and full of character. In 1995 the TTC celebrated the 100th Anniversary of the Roncesvalles Division, the oldest in the history of the TTC. Roncesvalles Village is just minutes from downtown by car. There is direct access to both the Gardiner and Lake Shore Boulevard.

Roncesvalles Staropolska

Good Addresses

• Warmia Deli - 301 Roncesvalles Avenue
• Granowska's Specialties - 175 Roncesvalles Avenue
• Kennel Cafe - 295 Roncesvalles Avenue – natural & organic pet foods & treats
• Domani Restaurant and Wine Bar - 335 Roncesvalles Avenue
• Emmanuel Howard Park United Church - 214 Wright Avenue

Map of Roncesvalles Village Toronto - click to enlarge

Map of Roncesvalles Village Toronto