The market is part of a larger initiative seeking to rejuvenate small businesses in a Toronto neighbourhood hit hard by the pandemic

By: Edward Lander

What sets Parkdale apart from Toronto’s other neighbourhoods is its distinct identity—an identity that has a lot to do with its plethora of small businesses, especially its thrift, vintage and fashion stores.

But according to Parkdale restaurant owner, Mariel Buenaventura, the past few years have been tough on these businesses. Which is why she, alongside Pinay Tayo Toronto, a non-profit that provides support for Filipina businesses, started I-Heart Parkdale.

The project, which lasted from Feb. 4 to Feb. 28, featured a night market, live music, shopping rewards at local businesses, an art installation and afternoon markets on select days.

“Our goal is to unite small businesses, to bring more foot traffic into the area, to tell the city of Toronto, even outside of Toronto, that Parkdale is a fun place to shop and to eat,” said Buenaventura.

The initiative has partnered with dozens of businesses in the neighbourhood. Many of them are second-hand or thrift shops, including familiar names like Common Sort and House of Vintage, but also smaller vendors and outlets.

One of these vendors is vintage clothing seller, Your Acha’s Closet, run by the duo of Tseten Menhla and Sonam Wangyal. The two frequent the Sunday Antiques Market at Parkdale Hall which is where they found out about I-Heart Parkdale.

Wangyal says although he’s seen many businesses close during the pandemic, there’s been an uptick in the amount of thrift and vintage shops in the neighbourhood.

I-Heart Parkdale stands as a testament to the resiliency of one of Toronto’s most unique neighbourhoods.

“I think it’s kind of the hot thing, even in the Ossington area there are tons of [thrift and vintage shops], they’re everywhere,” said Wangyal. “I think it’s helping in terms of bringing people here to check out the neighbourhood,” he said.

For long-time Parkdale resident Jude Goulet, these are the kind of stores that remind him of home.

“I grew up in Parkdale, so I essentially have only ever thrifted, and ever since I was a kid the thrift stores in Parkdale have been where I’ve gotten all of my toys and all of my clothes,” he said.

Goulet, who attended the night market on Feb. 4, says second-hand shops are part of the fabric of the neighbourhood.

“If [thrift shops] didn’t exist here it wouldn’t be Parkdale,” he said.

Some attendees said the initiative is helping to combat the rise of corporations and chains like Value Village in the world of second-hand retail.

“I feel like supporting thrifting and other types of second-hand vintage reselling in Parkdale is really refreshing in comparison to all the big-box stores we see doing thrift now,” said Kodiak Armstrong, another attendee of the night market.

Others said the event’s impact goes beyond just supporting business— it’s also about bringing people together, especially after the past few difficult years.

“It’s a free event where you don’t have to buy anything, you can just come out and listen to music and just show up and support your community,” said Armstrong. “Events like this really counteract the fact that we’re losing a lot of third spaces, spaces where you’re not either directly at home or work,” he added.

In attendance at the night market was Parkdale-High Park MPP Bhutila Karpoche, who said the event is making a positive impact on her community.

“If we’re able as much as possible to support one another and take care of one another, that helps individuals and our community’s well being,” said the MPP.

I-Heart Parkdale isn’t the first project Buenaventura helped organize and according to her, it won’t be the last. After the very popular night market, many attendees say they’d like to see more events like it throughout the year.

“The pandemic has been challenging for so many people and I think that the more opportunities we have for people to come together is always a good thing,” said Karpoche.

In what Buenaventura calls a “gloomy” time of year, I-Heart Parkdale stands as a testament to the resiliency of one of Toronto’s most unique neighbourhoods.

“It teaches people about the importance of community and how even when you’re struggling, your community will come out for you to events like this,” said Goulet.