South of Riverdale, and on the east side of the downtown core sits an up-and-coming area called Riverside.
But the area comes with a bit of a question-mark; one that’s almost impossible to miss…
Ruby Watch Co.
PicNic Wine Bar
Dark Horse Espresso Bar
Ambiance Chocolat
Blue Moon
JILLY’S!
It’s like when we were kids, watching Sesame Street…… (Cue Music) “One of these things, just doesn’t beeeelong…”
The Riverside District is changing rapidly, and if you want visual evidence, take a tour of Queen Street on Google Maps, and then take a tour in person.
You know that Riverside Market that I showed in the video? On Google Maps, which probably goes back 2-3 years, that was called Pari Discount Store, which was an odd assortment of food, lottery tickets, and crap you might find at Dollorama.
But so long as Jilly’s, aka “The Finest In Adult Entertainment” is prominently featured on the biggest major intersection in the Riverside District, I just don’t see this area becoming “The new Riverdale,” or “Leaside East.”
Although in this red-hot market, maybe any excuse to get even a modest discount on housing should be viewed as a blessing!
Graham
at 8:01 am
Every neighbourhood needs a little dirt!
I hope when someone finally buys Jilly’s, they don’t tear down that beautiful building. Give it a good delousing and maybe transform it into an east side Gladstone or Drake style boutique hotel.
buk
at 9:05 am
for your eyes only didn’t hold back the primmest real estate in toronto.
David Fleming
at 10:24 am
@ buk
I knew somebody would call me out on FYEO!
Maybe there’s a difference, maybe not.
Jilly’s is a landmark building, and impossible to miss. FYEO is dark, somewhat hidden, and about 1/20th the size as Jilly’s.
Pot Kettle
at 9:08 am
It’s called “character”, innit? Isn’t everyone looking for that little dive hole in the wall like Cold Tea or Dakota Tavern to have in their ‘hood so they can say they’re hip?
And if Jilly’s wasn’t there, what are you going to put there? Starbucks?
How about FYEO on King St. W.? oh, that’s an “upscale” place! That’s different!
David Fleming
at 10:23 am
@ Pot Kettle
Starbucks’ goal is to have a location every…..soemthing like…..thirty feet. So yeah, I think given that the only other location is waaaaaay down east at Logan Ave, this would be a prime location!
(I write this as I’m drinking from my new Tassimo, which is awesome FYI!)
dave
at 9:18 am
Strip clubs never close in Toronto. ‘Cause its almost impossible to get a new license for a new club. I can’t remember the last time a club closed
DirtyP
at 9:38 am
Cheaters (later Mystique), on Yonge Street south of Eglinton closed in 2008.
But otherwise, you’re right.
DirtyP
at 9:24 am
If you ever have sore quads after a run/workout and need them massaged by a naked bum, Jilly’s can’t be beat.
kristin
at 9:31 am
i kind of like that it’s there with Dangerous Dan (Double D’s) across the street…it makes the neighbourhood badass
mike
at 10:03 am
Ive never been into Jillys but i have been to ruby watcho and thats a ripoff.. never been to a more overrated restaurant in my life. however Prohibition which is next to Jillys is amazing..
EdenRam
at 2:13 pm
I don’t live in Riverside but I have friends who do and I love spending time in their neighbourhood. As a woman, I have no interest in patronizing an establishment such as Jilly’s but dammit I would fight any attempt by developers to push them out. Every neighbourhood needs dirt and character. Toronto isn’t Pleasantville so if somebody wants to buy into Riverside and Jilly’s is already there, then dammit you will need to accept the businesses who populate the area.
ScottyP
at 8:10 pm
Unfortunately, most people in Toronto do think it’s Pleasantville… or want it to be. They want their neighbourhoods “cleaned up”, gentrified. Zzzzzzzzz.
Market forces say this is the way it has to be. People who don’t want a sterile city say otherwise.
Nathan
at 3:27 pm
The Dingman building (aka the Broadview Hotel, later the Lincoln, now the New Broadview Hotel) is a heritage property (built in 1893 I believe).
Development would have to be very sensitive to preservation of the building’s character and integrity.
It’s owned (if I recall correctly) by the children of Harold Kamin (of Bargain Harold’s fame), who passed away in 2010.
David
at 7:47 pm
“Jillys is not going away’.. and thank god for that..
Greg Lafontaine
at 11:11 am
Yup, Jilly’s is really ruining that area. Probably wont last long anyway.
Jeremy
at 10:47 am
I stopped by Jilly’s once…. but I was only in there to get directions on how to get away from there.
David Fleming
at 4:35 pm
@ Jeremy
Simpsons! Great quote…
Webb
at 10:47 am
Rumour is that Jilly’s has a very long lease, so any new building owners would be hard pressed to get them out.
Bojangles
at 1:33 pm
Also run by the mob, so yeah, good luck with that.