Together with Laurel Broten (MPP), we would like to congratulate all nominees and winners of the 2009 Gems of the Lakeshore and thank all businesses for their involvement in our community, hard work, commitment and excellence in services delivered. The 2009 Gems are:

Category: Restaurants

Siam Princess - Special Recognition

This restaurant serves superb, authentic Thai food, artistically presented by engaging and helpful, courteous staff who make you feel welcome. A nice mix of Thai and Canadian decoration. The atmosphere is wonderful and relaxing and the service is prompt and excellent. A warm, inviting restaurant, suitable for any occasion - an outstanding dining establishment.

Al Lago Restaurant - Al Lago Restaurant has been a part of the community for many years. Great little Italian restaurant – personal service, excellent food based on fresh ingredients. Mike is very personable and will make your meal to your specification. Superb reason to come to the Lakeshore.

AZA Restaurant - Truly a “hidden gem”! Large and varied Korean and Japanese menu that is executed with flair by the talented chef/owner. Food is fresh, delicious and attractively prepared. Affordable prices. Family owned and staffed – service is quick, cheerful and attentive.

Bombay on the Lake - Bombay on the Lake offers amazing Indian food, one of the best I have had all over Toronto. Lakeshore is richer because of it. Warm, cozy atmosphere, excellent service and incredibly delicious dishes – all of them!

Café du Lac -This restaurant, owned and operated by a young hard-working couple, has been open for just under a year. They work very hard and have created a wonderful addition to the Lakeshore!

Eden Trattoria - This family restaurant has specialized in Italian cuisine for over 14 years. Whether you come to create your own pizzas and pastas, enjoy the chef’s daily specials or just to have a drink on the patio, the food is delicious and the atmosphere comfortable and fun.

Everest Indian Cuisine - This is one of the finest and most authentic South Indian restaurants in the whole of Toronto. The food is excellent and everyone – cooks to waiters to the owner – makes your “night out” or your lunch a most enjoyable and memorable experience.

Fresh Wood Grill - A gem of the Lakeshore that has brought organic meat to the fast food industry.

Kalamata - Kalamata brings new life and energy to a neighbourhood in transition. The Greek cuisine is divine alongside excellent service and a refreshing atmosphere. It is a true gem – sparkling and rare!

Lee’s Thai Spring Roll - Small, intimate setting serving authentic Thai and Malaysian cuisine – the best I ever had in Toronto. A real gem of the Lakeshore, not only because of their excellent service but because of their great food and fun tropical atmosphere.

New Toronto Fish and Chips - As long as I have lived with my family in South Etobicoke, “Fifth Street” means fish and chips and must be enjoyed every few weeks! A long time family-operated business that serves the most delicious fish and chips.

Sloppy Joe’s - A great gathering place in the community with good food – best wings in town. Provides a clean and friendly environment. Sponsors many community organizations and local sports teams and has pride of ownership.

Timothy’s Pub - Best live entertainment in the city. This little pub has raised thousands of dollars for its community. It has wonderful food, great staff and is always clean. I have never met owners who care more about their neighbourhood. Cheers to Timothy’s Pub.

West 39th Bistro - A warm and welcoming place with a great chef and fabulous food. Amazing atmosphere, enjoyable dining experience and a very friendly, hospitable owner. This is a great place to have a good time with friends or a romantic dinner. Spectacular cuisine showcased in a chic contemporary setting.

Yalla Café - This restaurant offers a great experience of authentic, excellent quality Lebanese food, with a welcoming environment and prompt service. Gracious, genial owners. Not only are the prices good, the food is healthy and well made.

Category: Quick Food Service

Chaser’s Juice - Special Recognition

Great tasting, fresh organic food. Wonderful service and unique product line. A great contributor to the Mimico community, particularly the local schools.

Birds and Beans Café by the Lake - Socially conscious and environmentally friendly, Birds and Beans is an essential gathering place and a hub for the Mimico and Lakeshore Harbours communities. Fine coffee – the best! - and chocolate, warm atmosphere, jazz on weekend afternoons, and support for local artists. David and Madeline set a great example for others on how to serve the public, and the community.

Chelsea Bread King Bakery - The freshest tastiest bread is baked here every day. Plus the deli counter has all the meats you will need for amazing sandwiches. The owners are the nicest people, always greeting you with a smile and thanking you for coming. They have a lot of regular customers and it’s not hard to tell why. People love fresh bread and the prices are so reasonable.

Sitting Around Eating BonBons - The bonbons in this small shop in Lakeshore are “to die for”. Beautiful chocolates, wrappings, and friendly service from Trish. Her treats are above par and the prices are comparable with any other chocolate on the market – only the difference is we know exactly what goes into her treats and where they are made.

Sweet Olenka’s - Great chocolate, ice cream, cakes and more. The ice cream is made with natural ingredients and comes in unusual flavours. This is a tiny shop but don’t be fooled – everything is made on site. Love the chocolate mice!

Tatsu’s Bread - We really enjoy everything about Tatsu’s – the fresh bread, the delicious sweets, the laid-back atmosphere and the warm welcome we get from all the staff. They have created a really nice café style bakery with live music on Saturdays. Have your favourite treats there and try anything new they offer – all of it is wonderful.

The Village Butcher Shop - Fun, warm and inviting – something interesting and different. Great customer relations and great butcher shop that really makes a difference to the neighbourhood.

Category: Cultural and Recreation

The Assembly Hall - Special Recognition

This is a beautifully restored Victorian building that honours the history of the community, while breathing new life into it by welcoming the community to a wide variety of events. As the Lakeshore’s own gathering space, the Assembly Hall offers gallery space to display the work of many local art groups, and both experienced and emerging artists. The performance hall offers diverse entertainments; meeting halls and community rooms are available for rent.

Franklin Horner Community Centre - This is a very friendly place with people of all ages. The programming keeps improving every year – there is always more and more going on.

Lakeshore Arts - Fantastic original ideas – community support and spirit. A small space that organized a very successful show of very large paintings!

Lakeshore Yacht Club - LYC members are friendly, outgoing, compassionate individuals who bring together their love of boating with a sense of dedication and responsibility towards their community. The club’s members come together throughout the year to organize and sponsor successful fundraising events, such as the annual Charity Dinghy Race, to support the needs of the community.

Waterfront Trail Artists - The Waterfront Trail Artists Community Art Centre was created by a few artists with a vision of art-making for everyone. What was first imagined as a destination has now become a magnet for creativity of all sorts for everyone from 5 to 85. Not only does the art centre engage people’s imaginations, it nourishes the local artists.

Category: Community Services

LAMP Community Health Centre - Special Recognition

LAMP CHC has provided a long time service to the Lakeshore community, especially the disadvantaged. Care and compassion radiates through this organization. They are like a second family to anyone that walks into their doors. LAMP continues to let youth lead programs, which continues to give youth the confidence they need to go on in the future.

Etobicoke Services for Seniors - ESS is an amazing facility geared towards empowering seniors in our community. It is a nice get together for seniors to enjoy a nice meal, exercise and do crafts, and socialize with each other.

The Gatehouse- A much needed addition to the Etobicoke community

JobStart - As a client of JobStart I can’t say enough about the help they have given me….I look forward to training for a new career.

Lori’s Legacy Fund - This fund to improve the healing environment for cancer patients and their caregivers at St. Joseph’s Health Centre was established in 1996 in memory of a Lakeshore resident who bravely fought cancer. The fund has raised almost one million dollars, and has funded special patient rooms, a new chemotherapy clinic, quiet rooms and education. The primary fundraiser is a Walkathon held every year – May 9th this year – at Humber Bay Park.

St. Margaret’s Anglican Church - A very active community church. They hold an “Out of the Cold” program for the homeless – where they are treated with respect. Community dinners are offered on the 3rd Friday of the month.

Storefront Humber Inc - Storefront Humber Inc provides home support services to help seniors remain independent in their own homes. Services are delivered with respect and dignity by professionally trained and highly skilled Personal Support Workers. Storefront workers are wonderful. They help me to be more independent as long as I can. They give me reason to live and take care of my daily needs. They are all angels.

Category: Retail Businesses

The Loot Lady - Special Recognition

It is beautiful. The outside of the store is friendly and inviting and gets even better when you enter. The assortment of toys and loot bags are priced for any occasion and budget. The service is warm, friendly and very kid friendly. It is a treat to shop there.

Alf Davis Men’s Shop - One of a kind men’s shop, Alf Davis has served the Lakeshore for about 50 years. Current owner Bob Guthrie has been here most of the time (if not all). A classic haberdashery with great personal service. Not just unique for its interior layout - the exterior store sign is a gem in itself.

Boeket Floral - Unusual, artistic arrangements. Special birthday and wedding flowers.

Clock Factory - A unique clock store – grandfather clocks, cuckoo clocks, clocks with symphony chimes, custom clocks and watches, clocks that just tick and clocks that are a pleasure. A prize for Toronto and a family-run Lakeshore gem for 35 years. Always very friendly, fast and efficient service, going the extra mile to ensure customers are satisfied.

Don Russell IDA -This pharmacy has been operated since 1933 by the same family, with personal service. Nothing fancy, but real neighbourly attention to your needs. Opened by current owner Bob Russell’s father, Don, who was the last mayor of the Town of New Toronto.

Jakeb Tyler Home Décor and Gifts -Their gifts are unique, very distinctive and well priced. They are also very community oriented and don’t hesitate to support other businesses.

Joan’s Blooming Place - Very helpful staff. Great orchids! Whether it’s an African violet or a big bouquet, you get the same service. A friendly atmosphere.

Pet Stuff - Excellent customer service – friendly, knowledgeable.

TNT Surplus Centre - A fixture in New Toronto, family-operated since the mid-1950’s. Unique not only from the outside but the inside, this store is a treasure trove mix of old and new. No wonder TV/movie productions shop here. Nothing fancy – but you never know what you will find. A place to lose yourself.

Value-Mart- Not only a great store with friendly, helpful staff, but Rob has gone out of his way to help with community events like Theatre Etobicoke and a tree lighting, and has offered help with other events to come.

Vital Planet - Awesome staff, products and prices!

Category: Service Businesses

Pina B’s Salon & Spa Inc - Special Recognition

Pina’s bubbly personality spills over to her staff and cliental. It is always a relaxing and warm environment. This is a full service location with high standards of cleanliness and skilled, hospitable service.

Angelic Touch - Always very accommodating, warm, genuine, personalized care with great haircuts for the whole family. Kim has an angelic touch. A pleasurable time out for one’s self. The front façade is beautiful and certainly enhances the Lakeshore.

Bravebody Pilates - Excellent instructors, friendly, clean, cheerful studio. Owner cares about clients and makes sure you are in the right class for your level. All the teachers are really personable, knowledgeable and motivationg. Classes are limited, so a personal touch. Who would have thought working out could be so much fun

Creative Image - If you want to go to a really nice salon to get a really great haircut and be treated like you’re someone special , go to Creative Image. Anthony and his team are all very talented and provide a top salon experience. They have a large group of loyal customers who keep coming back.

H.G. Porritt Real Estate - Owners are involved in the community and sponsor many community organizations. They are on the boards of many committees and organizations that help the community as a whole.

Mind and Body Lakeshore Village Integrated Medicine - Great service, reasonable prices. The staff and medical professionals are friendly, knowledgable, and really care about what they do. A patient is treated for immediate medical needs but also learns about health care prevention. This is a win/win for the patient, the clinic and the overall healthcare system.

Marina Animal Hospital - A true life saver and jewel used by most pet owners in our complex. Dr. Ghazi and his staff are truly most caring, knowledgeable and compassionate whether in a time of need (emergencies) or for a regular check-up. All owners and pets on a first name basis.

Sherway Music Academy - Director Bill Zufelt, along with his faculty, works to create a musical education environment that encourages students to explore their talents and interests. Special programs like the Rocks Cool Camp help build confidence, develop talent and teach the kids to work as a team . In just 5 days they go from a group of individuals to a performing rock band.

Sabai Thai Massage - As soon as you step into Sabai Thai Massage, you feel calm and welcome. Nutjaree and her team are so professional, so kind and so great at making you feel pampered! It’s great to have a spa setting right in your own neighbourhood.

Take 30 Women’s Fitness Centre - This organization builds bodies, fellowships and community in our neighbourhood. The warmth and inclusiveness make all feel welcome and special, and the supportive instruction and coaching help you to achieve your goals.

Tremblay’s Shoe Repair -For almost 80 years, this family-owned business has been a fixture in the Town of New Toronto. Neighbourly service –and walking through the door is like walking back in time on top of that. Simply put – a one of a kind experience.