Kingston Road looking for a name
by Carole Stimmell

There is a busy shopping and business district on Kingston Road between Victoria Park and Beech with over 100 great shops and services – but it lacks one thing. It doesn’t have a distinctive name. So the Kingston Road Business Community is holding a “Name our Business Community” contest as part of its sixth annual Spring Street Festival on June 7.

We all recognize the names of such neighbourhoods as Bloor West Village, The Danforth and, of course, The Beach, but, while this part of Kingston Road has been serving the needs of our community for more than 100 years, it needs a label to establish its identity.

And that’s where you come in. Simply think of a suitable name for the business district and either mail it to: Name our Business Community, Beach Metro News, 2196 Gerrard St. E., Toronto, ON M4E 2C7 or e-mail your suggested name to editor@beachmetro.com. Make sure to include your own name and a phone number where you can be reached at. Ballots can also be picked up at participating stores, and you can drop your entry at the Kingston Road Business Community prize booth located outside the Kingston Road YMCA on the day of the festival (June 7).

And what’s in it for you? The winning entry, as judged by a panel of business community representatives, will receive a prize package of gifts and/or gift certificates from Kingston Road businesses worth $1,000!

The deadline for entries is June 8 and the winner will be announced in the July issue of Beach Metro News (available July 2). Full contest rules will be posted at participating stores.

If that wasn’t reason enough to plan on attending the Spring Street Festival, the business community is also planning a scavenger hunt. The hunt which will take place on the day of the festival should be fun for people of all ages. Look for stores that are displaying the ‘Hunt” sign in their window to pick up a list of questions about the business on Kingston Road from Hannaford to just east of Victoria Park (Henley Gardens). The answers to the questions can be found by looking at the signs and/or store windows of participating businesses. You can drop off your form at any participating business.

If you answer the questions correctly, you will be entered into a draw for great prizes provided by some of the unique shops and services on Kingston Road. The winners will be announced in Beach Metro’s July issue.

And don’t forget, with music, games, good food and great bargains, the Kingston Road Spring Street Festival will be fun for the whole family.