Toronto is accepting

Today I interviewed a realtor named Kris Purdy from Bosley Real Estate. I was really curious, for my final feature, about the prices of leasing a shop on Dundas West, but I got a lot more. Purdy explained the area and how hip it is becoming. Dundas and Dufferin has been home for a lot of immigrants coming into Canada for years. As the immigrants are getting older shops have been closing and the younger descendents are moving out to different neighbourhoods. This is allowing for a younger demographic to move in and open up hip and trendy boutiques.

Purdy told me that Lula Lounge is really what draws the young diverse crowd to the area. The lounge has lots of themed nights appealing to the community. When Purdy is showing someone around the area she is sure to show them Lula first.

Purdy tells me that Toronto has really changed especially for people who are homosexual. Thirty years ago Purdy said that the LGBT community needed an area like Church and Wellesley to freely express their sexuality (by walking down the street holding hands with their partner). According to Purdy now Toronto is more tolerant and accepting. Also Church and Wellesley is a large area that is very dense. So moving to Dundas West has two different appeals: 1. the cost of leasing a business on Dundas is much less and 2. the area is diverse with culture and people. Today people who are gay or lesbians are able to freely express themselves in several other areas of the city. Queen West is another area that is popular for the LGBT community. Purdy refers to Dundas West as evolving into what Queen West used to be. Queen West is now too pricey and also very commercial.

Purdy recommended the area to Dawn and Tanya (owners of West Side Stories) because of their money situation and the people in the area. When she was showing the shop to Dawn and Tanya a woman who was happy to let the women know that she was a lesbian was excited with the idea that a movie store promoting women in film was coming to the neighbourhood. The young couples also appreciate the store and that is the type of families moving into the area – young and trendy. Purdy agrees that the older community in the area would much rather see a Blockbuster in the neighbourhood, but with older people moving out and younger people moving in West Side Stories is in good company.