NOTE: The following piece was prepared in May, 2000 as part of the ongoing Village "task force".
"Save the Village": a background
Rising rents, million dollar selling prices for properties, the exodus of small shops (often replaced by large chains) and Market Value Assessment are all factors threatening the viability of the Village businesses, and impacting how the area serves its members. In the summer of 1999, news that the "defining" Village business, the Cheese Boutique was leaving, and rumours that it would be replaced by a GAP outlet helped start the "Save the Village" campaign.
The campaign moved from neighbourhold flyering, to a brief petition campaign that received over 4000 signatures, to motions passed by Toronto Community and City Councils officially involving the City. A large community meeting was held in December 1999, bringing together residents, business and property owners, City councillors and staff, and featured a number of relevant speakers.
Subsequently, with Councillor David Miller's help, a process was begun to consider a broader perspective of the Village. To date (May), three meetings have been held involving various representative of the various stakeholders in the Village to consider the issues facing us, and possible solutions.
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The "Save the Village" petition campaign in the
summer of 1999 elicited over 4000 signatures in a few weeks, and was supported by over 70
local businesses. The campaign clearly emphasized the passion and concern people had for
their community. The two points requested by the petition were:
Why such concern over a retail strip? What were the reasons for this
concern? Much of the focus was on the growing loss of the small, owner-operated stores (especially food shops) which not only serve residents, but differentiate the Village from other Toronto neighbourhoods, and attract shoppers from around and outside Toronto. Not only were people concerned about the
direction the Village was taking, but they felt helpless to do anything about it. Save" the Village? While market forces will always determine the exact makeup of businesses in the Village, risking the long-term success of the Village is bad for business, and bad for the whole community. This community works not only because of its "mainstreet", but because of the concern and passion that this issue has demonstrated. That level of caring for a community is priceless; we can't afford to lose it. Other pages: |