Goodbye Astoria Hello Alexandros

A few months ago, Astoria Athens closed its shop doors after decades of servicing Bloorcourt Village.

Astoria fell into arrears, allegedly owning $19,000 in rent. On the surface, it was a restaurant but a deeper connection with the establishment revealed that, in fact, it was a man's-club of sorts. For quite some time, patrons smoked inside (usually during card playing or backgammon) contrary to by-laws before getting busted. Keen locals knew that prostitution was an obtainable service, sort of like a VIP/members-only type luxury, unlike the smoking. 

A source told me that he and his friends were offered $10 blow-jobs from the female bartender, and that this service was not uncommon for neighbourhood friendly faces. Furthermore, strangers to the hood would not be privy to access, unless they were represented by a preferred client. 

Somebody who once slept in the basement next door to Astoria said he heard “An absolute Bordello...It sounded like they were shooting a porn in the basement at 3am. You could hear everything.

“It was crazy...you heard people fucking like rabbits...it sounded like a full blown Happy New Year party.”

Now Alexandros Bar and Grill will take its place. While outlets for indoor smoking, illegal gambling and prostitution in the area have definitely reigned supreme, many wish Alexandros will follow Saving Gigi's suit and break the mould of our BIA, sinking ship establishments. 

Blossington Reporter, DmD, has seen the owners outside of Alexandros Bar and Grill on several occasions. Although they look like  rough n' toughs, they carry a positive and friendly demeanour. We trust they will run a respectable establishment, but more than that, we hope they sell cheap and delicious food, and we really really hope they sell that cheap n' delicious food super duper late.

(All photos by DmD)

Ronny Etches Closer to the Darkside...

Ronny the Pants Baker

On this great day, Ronald Baker, a.k.a. Johnson, a.k.a. Pants, a.k.a. Ronny (local), clocks another full year of existence. The Blossington verdict? I think we're all pretty damn grateful to have this sexy specimen representing our hood.

Last night, in the hours leading up to his actual birthday, Ronny made some seriously delicious spaghetti bolognas for myself, the Blossington Prom King (though he just had the pasta, he doesn't eat meat), and Ronny's law partner, Ferguson. I have to say, that was some damn good pasta Pants.

The gathering was a meeting of minds, from which my mind was absent.

After much persistence, the Prom King had convinced us all that we have to ring in Ronny-Pants' birthday out of our apartments. We needed to have a celebratory cheers, and that couldn't possibly happen in the comfort of anybody's home, especially not on a work night. What kinda shitty friends do you think you have Baker!?

On the stroke of midnight, outside Disgraceland, three men and one lady embraced in what looked like a ball of Blossington love.

"Happy Birthday, good Sir," was one of the remarks that escaped the tightly knit love-ball.

Shortly after, we each went to our respective homes, but not before getting some Pizza flavoured Combos from the Mini Mart, of course.

*** *** ***

Today is the actual day. Several people are going to celebrate Ronny's birthday at his night time gig, The Ronald Baker Radio Revue, a radio show our neighbourhood gem hosts every Wednesday and Saturday nights on CFRE, 91.9FM. The ratings are going to be through the roof today, I'm almost sure. Anybody who is anybody in the Blossington hood is sure to be tuning in, if not participating, either remotely or actually at the statition. It is a really big deal. On tonight's show of the Ronald Baker Radio Revue, listeners will likely experience a milestone in history since Ronny's probably going to revolutionize the voice of broadcasting.

(Photo by DmD)

Cyclemania in Trouble?

Jano, the colourful captain of Cyclemania on Bloor

Everybody who is anybody in Bloorcourt knows Cyclemania is the place to get your bicycle fixed. For years Jano, a handsome 40-something ex-racer, has delivered top-notch bike service to locals and passerbys alike. He is a character of commendable kindness and a connoisseur of cycling.

Cyclemania, located at 863 Bloor Street West, is a bike shop made up of old school mechanics. The place has zero tolerance for pretension, is very welcoming, and has unbeatable prices. It's a no frills kind shop where you will get excellent work done on your bike. Yet, quality of service doesn't equate to quantity from your wallet.

But being a neighbourhood hero has it's downsides. It stirs jealousy, and becomes the focal point for alpha-male competitors. Recently, Blossington writer, DmD, confronted some sad news. Vinnie, who is the brother of the former Blossington Bully - Luigi Xaini - and who used to run a bike shop on Harbord, has laid claim to a space across the street from Cyclemania, at 800 Bloor. His intentions: to open a bike shop.

Vinnie used to pay friendly visits to the guys at Cyclemania, they fraternized about their respective businesses. But now, it seems Vinnie's visits housed malicious intent. The old saying goes, "It's not personal, it's just business." Still, there is something seriously vermicular about his actions.

Bloor West is already filled with bike shops; we don't need or even want another. Opening a shop across the street from Cyclemania is a blatant attempt to run the business, that has claimed territory to the Blossington turf for years, into the ground.

The same way Starbucks is planning to out-do our neighbourhood heroes at Saving Gigi - the prom king and queen of Blossington - Vinnie plans to do to Jano. I, for one, will not stand for it. I know the true captains of our hood won't either. You see, what Starbucks and Vinnie don't know is that people in Blourcourt are valiant, loyal, and prefer colourful hosts to pathetic party crashers.

Calling all Blossington beaus and belles, lest we forget our origins, lest we forget that we are a community that honours our founding members, please stay commited to our neighbourhood staples. Support Cyclemania and never forget the transformational power that Saving Gigi's has had on this hood.

Sincerely yours,
DmD

(Photo by DmD)