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Volume 55 No. 6
BEACHMETRO.COM
MAY 12, 2026
Petition protests renovation work at Art Deco building By Matthew Stephens
RESIDENTS AND local historians are disappointed after discovering renovations to a commercial building they say should have been listed in the city’s historical register years ago. “I am heartsick that another one of our heritage buildings has been mutilated,” said Barbara Myrvold in an email to Beach Metro, describing renovation work being carried out on the exterior of 968–976 Kingston Rd. and 281–285 Scarborough Rd. The commercial building, which was built in 1931, occupies a portion of the block on the north side of Kingston Road between Scarborough and Kingswood roads. The building currently houses Savoury Grounds, a Subway restaurant, Courage Foods, and Hand And Stone massage. On Tuesday, April 21, residents noticed that the building’s Flemish Bond brickwork (every second brick turned sideways) and decorative concrete frieze banding was being removed, sparking outrage from members of The Beach And East Toronto Historical Society (TBETHS) in particular, who nominated the property for inclusion in the Toronto Heritage Register back in 2019. “The building is not listed on the Toronto Heritage Register, although the Society nominated it to the Register in 2019,” explained Myrvold. In an email to Beach Metro, the city’s media relations team confirmed that neither the Kingston or Scarborough roads properties are listed on the city’s heritage register. “Tenants received no notice of this work. The workers are very deliberately defacing the property, in order to prepare it for redevelopment. And they have no work permit,” said a resident who
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wished to remain anonymous. However, the City of Toronto’s website said no building permit is required before “re-cladding a house or small building (three storeys or less) with non-combustible material other than brick or stone veneer.” According to the City of Toronto Property System database, the property owner for the address of 968 Kingston Rd. (the only valid address on file) is Back to School Investments Ltd., a company with no active website or commercial listings and no clear business operations that a search by Beach Metro Community News could find. Despite not being listed on the heritage register or requiring any building permit, members of TBETHS argue that the building’s exterior played an integral role in its historical significance and architectural value. “Most of its distinctive architectural features have been removed or covered in less than a week,” said Myrvold. “The building is a rare, albeit modest example of Art Deco style in the neighbourhood, and being a one-storey building makes it all the more unusual. Art Deco was popular in Toronto from about 1925 to 1940.” In its earlier days, she said the building served as a commercial hub in the area, housing four storefronts on the Kingston Road frontage, and four smaller storefronts on Scarborough Road. “The corner store was first occupied by a branch of Laura Secord Candy Shops, and it remained a neighbourhood fixture until the 1970s,” said Myrvold. “Other stores and services that also have been important to local residents over the years include a series of discount department stores at 972-974 Kingston Rd., initially a Selrite Store, the first Continued on Page 5
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Community Police Day fun
PHOTO: ALIZÉE LEGRAIN
Visitors check out a Toronto police ATV during the 55 Division Community Police Day celebration on Saturday at Jimmie Simpson Park. The annual event is hosted by the 55 Division Community Police Liaison Committee.
Hafiz wins Scarborough Southwest provincial Liberal nomination By Matthew Stephens
AHSANUL HAFIZ has secured the Liberal nomination to run in the upcoming provincial byelection in the Scarborough Southwest riding. “I’m honoured to have the support of Scarborough Southwest Liberals and I’m ready to get to work,” said Hafiz in a post on the Ontario Liberals’ website. “This community deserves a strong voice at Queen’s Park that understands the challenges people are facing and is focused on delivering real results for local families.” After a full day of ranked ballot voting to select the riding’s Liberal candidate in the upcoming provincial byelection, Hafiz emerged victorious with 718 votes, followed by Beaches-East York Liberal MP Nathaniel Erskine-Smith with 699 votes by the third ballot
of the ranked count. Other candidates seeking nomination were Qadira Jackson and Mahmuda Nasrin. The voting opened at 11 a.m. and concluded just after 4 p.m. as those in line at that time were allowed to vote. During his opening speech, Hafiz said it was important for voters to elect a leader who understands the hardships of Scarborough Southwest residents, noting that certain opportunities “do not exist” to the same extent for immigrants. “Like many of you, I came here as an immigrant,” explained Hafiz. “Ontario is not moving forward. I want to help build the same opportunities that were available to me.” As a business owner, Hafiz said the cost-of-living crisis and supporting small businesses are his
PHOTO: MATTHEW STEPHENS
Ahsanul Hafiz makes his opening speech at Saturday’s nomination meeting at Birchmount Park Collegiate Institute.
top priorities to address the needs of Scarborough Southwest residents. While Hafiz and Nasrin focused on the newcomer experience in Canada, Jackson stressed the importance of choosing the right candidate for the entire province. “I’m not going to sit here and Continued on Page 5