The Nicest Store in Town!

First stop on the OS must be a visit to Syncro Nicieties, an inviting and charming boutique, filled with wonderful gift ideas and home decor accents. Not only is it a pleasure to shop there, but it is so refreshing to deal with Jen, the owner. She makes shopping fun! I alway find something amazing that turns out to be the perfect present.

I was there the other Friday, doing some last minute Christmas shopping and bought a maple syrup fragranced candle in a retro vintage tin can. Its a good thing too as later that evening it was given to my neighbour as a hostess gift. Everybody loved it. I also purchased a Brie Baker(now I feel grown up) and a jar of Tangerine-Red Pepper Jelly. The bonus was all the products I bought were made in Canada and bought locally.

As this is my last post for 2013 I would like to wish all my devotees a Happy New Year. Wishing you good health, happiness and may all your retail dreams come true. One of my many new year’s resolutions will be to make more of an effort to support local, independent shops, especially those on the OS. Lets make Crown Point the go-to destination for 2014!

Hey Helen

The undisputed Queen of the OS is Helen’s Restaurant and Dining Lounge with its wonderful homestyle cooking. From breakfast to East European fare, this is the place for comfort food.

I just love the timewarp decor and I hope they never change it. Its kind of a mix between baba’s rec room and the Polish Hall on Barton St, with some travel posters from the 60’s. You remember travel posters,they used to be in travel agencies, remember travel agencies?

Once I was at Helen’s for breakfast and there were these older gentleman there talking about the war, they must of been Serbian because they kept referring to slivovca(plum brandy). They went on and on about WW2. One of them claimed he was in the resistance and made molotov cocktails out of plum brandy….they called it Belgrade Boom Boom!…..Unbelievable!

All Sorts

This artist run co-op gallery is the go to place for one of a kind handcrafted gifts.
Super friendly staff(the artists themselves run the gallery)are helpful and sweet.

I love their hand made soap from Burford, ON, its smells exotic like incense!
Also featured are the the creations of Roger from Klockwerks. His madcap, steampunk creations never fail to amaze.

Shopping here is a great way to support the local community and the artists and artisans as well. Become a locavore today!
What better way to kick big box butt? Shop independent! Support Ottawa St merchants!

The Leander

Pre war apartment house graced with vintage panache!
Amazing Tudoresque+Arts&Crafts details rendered in tile and stone.
Even the name harkens back to a more elegant time.
A subtle refurbishment would make living here at the gateway to the OS, even
more alluring.

Wonderful buildings such as this always make me wonder about the inhabitants that resided here long ago. Perhaps in the 60’s the east end’s answer to “That Girl” had a flat here.(this would be a good time for anyone under the age of 50 to Google Marlo Thomas…think Carrie Bradshaw circa 1968 with big hair). “Our Girl” would drive her white 1967 Ford Mustang with a red interior to her job at Simpson’s Sears at the glamourous mid century modern temple to retail that was known at The Centre Shopping Plaza. Perhaps she sold makeup or suburban couture. Weekends would find her go-go dancing at the Purple Peacock with the boys(a long forgotten establishment on old York Boulevard),taking in a show at Diamond Jim’s on King St or a romantic dinner up at the Blue Grotto, John St N’s answer to the Isle of Capri.

What happened to “Our Girl”? Rumour has it she got married bought a sidesplit up on the mountain and left all of her glamour…east of james.

Boom Boom

With an opening date of January 8th, 2014, the OS will be getting another interesting dining choice with Auntie Boom’s Retro Cafe, making the Crown Point district even more of a destination. Rumours(Don’t you just love them? I know I do!)abound of a Burlesque Brunch event that will take place at ABRC on a monthly basis(sign me up and I’ll have a double Bloody Caesar and an order of “Eggs Von Teese”!

See you all there in the new year and remember…Beauty’s where you find it, not just where you bump and grind it!

Mission House

On a boulevard in “Dunsmure Village”, is this beyond charming California+Mission style bungalow.

Accented with river rock accents, deep eaves and a prominent chimney, this house exudes craftsman cosiness. What makes it unique is that this style of home is quite rare for this area, a treasure indeed.