Good morning, Etobicoke! I’m Bri, and we’ve reached the awkward part of November. The poppies are coming off coats, the mall is playing Mariah, and you’re pretending you haven’t started thinking about a holiday gift list. Let’s get into this week’s news.
In this week’s newsletter:
🎳 Strike Zone: Sherway’s empty Nordstrom gets a bowling alley
🏙️ Growth Spurt: a 29-storey rental tower pitched near Royal York
🎅 Roof Landing: Santa’s coming to the Bell Building
🏘️ Six Pack: Etobicoke sits out the sixplex boom (mostly)
Plus: the first sub-zero nights of the season, the end of door-to-door mail in north Etobicoke, and a weekend full of holiday craft sales 🎁
THE DIGEST
🎳 Sherway’s Old Nordstrom Is Going Bowling 🎳
The empty Nordstrom wing at CF Sherway Gardens finally has tenants, and one of them has 22 lanes. Cadillac Fairview says Splitsville Bowl is opening a 34,000-square-foot flagship with an arcade and a food and drink menu. It’s joined by Quebec hobby shop Imaginaire, in its first Toronto store, and a Winners of nearly 40,000 square feet. The catch: all three are slated for fall 2027. Start practising your approach.
🏙️ 29 Storeys Pitched For Bloor And Humbervale 🏙️
Remember the seven-storey condo planned for the old auto body shop at Bloor and Humbervale? It’s been cancelled. Montez Corporation now wants a 29-storey rental tower at 3005 Bloor St. W., about a two-minute walk from Royal York station. The plan has 318 units, shops on the ground floor and 106 parking spots. It’s the tallest proposal near the station so far. The Kingsway skyline is officially in its growth spurt.
🎅 Santa Is Landing On A New Toronto Roof 🎅
Christmas Fair is back for Season 5, and this year it moves outside to the courtyard of the historic Bell Building at 80 Birmingham St. On December 19 and 20, expect local vendors, holiday food, free face painting, Paw Patrol meet-and-greets and free Santa photos. Santa touches down on the roof at 1 p.m. both days. Admission is free, but register your family now: kids’ gifts are first come, first served.
🏘️ Sixplex Fever Skips Etobicoke (Mostly) 🏘️
Toronto has received more than 60 sixplex applications since council legalized them in June 2025, but Etobicoke was left off the guest list. After pushback from suburban wards, council limited sixplexes to old Toronto, East York and Scarborough North. Etobicoke North quietly logged two applications anyway, and those will need special city approval. The city now offers free pre-approved designs, so expect this density debate to come knocking again.
📌 Quick Hits
Get the scraper out. Our first real run of below-zero nights starts Friday, with lows of minus 2 Friday and minus 3 Saturday. Homeowners, there’s something else to add to the to-do list. The City’s Vacant Home Tax portal opened November 2. Everyone has to declare by April 30, 2027, even if you live in your home full-time. Skip it and the City assumes your home is empty and bills you.
Upcoming Events
Nov. 14 to Dec. 20 – Mrs. Claus at Sherway
Centre Court, CF Sherway Gardens | 25 The West Mall
Mrs. Claus is taking the early shift this year. She’s in Centre Court on select days, so check her schedule before you bundle everyone into the car. 🎄 🕛 Noon to 4 p.m.Nov. 20 – Etobicoke Philharmonic: Fiesta Sinfónica
Martingrove Collegiate Institute | 50 Winterton Dr.
Rodrigo’s Concierto de Aranjuez with guitarist Daniel Ramjattan, Márquez’s Danzón No. 2, and young players from the Etobicoke Suzuki School. Hot music for a cold week. 🎻💃 🕢 7:30 p.m. | 🎟️ TicketsNov. 21 – Holiday Handmade Art & Fine Craft Sale
Neilson Park Creative Centre | 56 Neilson Dr.
More than 60 Canadian artists and artisans will sell pottery, jewellery, stained glass, woodwork and quilts. The centre’s six resident groups are taking part too, from the Etobicoke Quilters’ Guild to the Etobicoke Rugcrafters. The full maker list is up now. 🎨🧶 🕙 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. | Free admission and parkingNov. 21 – ESA Holiday Market & Craft Fair
Etobicoke School of the Arts | 675 Royal York Rd.
Handmade gifts, local makers and a building full of very talented teenagers. Pair it with Neilson Park and you’ve done a full Saturday of shopping local. 🎁 🕙 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. | DetailsDec. 1 – Living Stories: A Journey Through Memories, Culture & Life
The Village of Humber Heights | 2245 Lawrence Ave. W.
Fifty-seven seniors from across Etobicoke spent months turning family stories, traditions and memories into an original show with movement, acting and spoken word. Homegrown in the best way. 🎭 🕑 2 to 3 p.m. | FreeDec. 19 & 20 – Christmas Fair Season 5
Historic Bell Building Courtyard | 80 Birmingham St.
Santa lands on the roof at 1 p.m., visits run until 6, and there’s a magic show at 5. It’s outdoors and goes ahead snow or shine. Register your family so there’s a gift with your kid’s name on it. 🎅🎪 🕙 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. | Free
Good to Know
Door-to-door mail ends Monday in north Etobicoke. Starting November 16, Canada Post moves addresses with postal codes starting M9V and M9W to community mailboxes. Seniors and people with disabilities can apply for a delivery accommodation. Find your box key before the first bill does. 📬
Weather
Thu, Nov 12: High 9°C, Low 0°C 🌦️
Fri, Nov 13: High 5°C, Low -2°C ☁️
Sat, Nov 14: High 7°C, Low -3°C 🌤️
Sun, Nov 15: High 7°C, Low 0°C ☁️
Mon, Nov 16: High 4°C, Low 0°C 🌤️
Tue, Nov 17: High 6°C, Low 2°C 🌤️
Wed, Nov 18: High 8°C, Low 2°C 🌤️
Fun & Games
🎲 Would You Rather: Holiday Kickoff Edition
Get your photo with Santa on a rooftop, or with Mrs. Claus at the mall?
Finish your holiday shopping by November 21, or wing it on December 23?
Untangle the outdoor lights this weekend, or pay someone and never speak of it again?
➡️ Hit reply with your picks and we’ll tally the favourites next week!
Thanks for reading! See you next week for more of what’s happening in Etobicoke.
-Bri
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