Tuffy P was out walking the dogs the other morning, and noticed that our favourite falafel place had closed its doors. Baba Ali was a family run business that made excellent Middle Eastern food. We enjoyed the food and we also enjoyed chatting with the owners, really friendly people. Now where will we get our fresh made zaatar manakeesh?
Although a number of new businesses, including restaurants have opened up in Long Branch in the last couple years, it’s a tough place to run a business. The Lakeshore strip is long, running through the three communities still known locally as Long Branch, New Toronto and Mimico. It doesn’t have really great concentration of energy anywhere, and our communities are somewhat cut off from the rest of the city. Maybe we just need a broader customer base. There has been some development in the form of condos and we’re seeing quite a few house renos in the area. I’ve heard some people are critical of the condo developments, but I think a measured influx of people in the area is a good thing all around.
I don’t know why Baba Ali closed, but it’s a loss for our neighbourhood. We need independent family businesses like that and we just can’t take our local treasures for granted. I hope the folks who were running Baba Ali are OK and I wish them success in their future adventures.
27th Street 
I just closed my storefront Pilates Studio on lakeshore after trying for five years to make ends meet with yearly rent increases, leaky basements, leaky ceilings, and once even an electrical fire.
I’m not sure it’s a matter of people not supporting local business, I was sooooo well supported, it’s just that landlords see green where there is neighbourhood support, and they know they have you locked into a commercial lease, so they don’t really care what shape the building is in. hard to run a business or clinic in a run down place that you pay top price for. It’s mostly a landlord issue on lakeshore, the neighbourhood people are amazing!
I agree about the condos being good. I hope they finish getting rid of the toxic dirt soon so they can beging building. I also read about a 6 block community being built up on Carnation between 24 and 26th sts on the site of a cement factory. I think LB has another 5-10 years until it’s truly gentrified but it is happening and stores close everywhere; it’s just that it looks more obvious here because there’s many empty store fronts. I can’t stand the nay sayers who want nothing to change; I don’t get that but it’s the same thinking that meant we got a lot of hatred for building our house. Speaking of which; the guy up at #62 is about to rebuild and there’s another house on your side just past Shamrock that’s about to build a couple of semis. Can’t comment on the architecture but since the previous house seemed to collect old cars and junk; anythings an improvement in my mind.
I’m sorry to hear that as well. Support your local small businesses! They need all the support we can give them.
Aw, I am sorry to hear that. You know thats funny…my gal pal Tricia and I were running errands yesterday and we got a falalfel at my local international grocery store. Life is better with falalfels!