What is your business called and what does it do?

Boodles of Baskets is a Canadian, woman-owned gift basket company that creates and delivers handcrafted gift baskets across Canada. We specialize in gourmet, corporate, baby, and personalized gifts designed for all occasions.

What made you want to do this work?

I started the business so I could be available for my children while they were growing up, while still building something meaningful of my own. It grew beyond all my expectations and imaginations!

What problem did you want to solve with the business?

I wanted to make it easy for people to send thoughtful, high-quality gifts that feel personal and arrive beautifully presented, especially when they can’t be there in person.

Who are your clientele/demographics?

Our customers include individuals sending personal gifts as well as businesses across Canada managing corporate gifting programs, employee recognition, and client appreciation.

How does your business make money? How does it work?

Customers order gifts and gift baskets through our website or corporate ordering process. We design, assemble, and ship each gift and basket from our location in Ontario, with Canada-wide delivery, including multi-address corporate orders.

Where in the city can we find your profession?

We are based in Windsor, Ontario, and operate as an online business serving customers across Canada.

What is the best question a prospective customer could ask a member of your profession when comparing services? Give the answer as well.

What will the gift actually look like when it arrives?”

The answer should be: exactly as shown or better, with careful packaging and attention to detail so it arrives fresh, secure, and presentation-ready.

What is the best part about what you do? What is the worst part?

The best part is knowing our gifts help people connect and celebrate important moments, even from a distance. The worst part is dealing with factors outside our control, like bad weather.

What is your favourite joke about your own profession?

We don’t just think outside the box — we build the box, fill it, wrap it, and ship it across the country

Where can we follow you?

Website | Instagram

PAY IT FORWARD: What is another local business that you love?

SAKSCO Gourmet Basket Supplies

The post Homegrown Business: Cherylann Stachow of Boodles of Baskets appeared first on Toronto Guardian.

For the first-time ever, arm wrestling has become a professional, team-based sport that will be broadcast to countless living rooms. With teams across North America, including Vancouver, TAWF is a gripping and competitive new spin on arm wrestling.

Following a successful pre-season launch in late 2025, when the Montreal Saints defeated Toronto Smoke, the Vancouver Wildcats will take on the Calgary Rangers on August 29 in their own pre-season spectacle. The action takes place at Calgary’s Grand Theatre.

In the meantime, Vancouver Wildcats team members will spend the summer training for the anticipated event. At the forefront of the Vancouver Wildcats is Vancouver arm wrestling legend Marlon Hicks, who serves as the team manager. His wife, Dawn, is one of the three females on the team. This also includes 63-year-old grandmother Lori Pow, known in the arm wrestling world as “Queen of the Table.”

Fans – old and new – can expect an eclectic array of athletes and unmatched entertainment once TAWF hits televisions on Fight Network. The inaugural TAWF season kicks off on November 7, 2026.

A Literal Game-Changer

The TAWF is fundamentally shifting the sport (yes, it’s a sport) of arm wrestling’s DNA. By introducing a 100-point threshold and a team-based structure, the league has transformed individual bouts into a complex, high-stakes tactical battle.

At the inaugural TAWF showcase, Montreal Saints’ “stoppage-style” victory – a TKO in the arm wrestling world – demonstrated that matches are now won through depth, resource management, and strategic “gambles” rather than just isolated strength.

“The biggest difference is our new team format, which keeps the audience glued to the stage,” says Jason Costantini, Executive Producer and Co-Founder of TAWF.

Primetime Ready: Mass Appeal and Global Broadcast

With the anticipated 14-week season, TAWF is positioned for massive mainstream growth. By securing a broadcasting deal with Fight Network, the league is bringing the grit and drama of the “MAC” ruleset – designed for faster starts and more decisive finishes – to a wide television audience. This isn’t just for niche fans; it’s a sport built for the modern viewer.

The combination of intense physical limits and chess-like strategy offers a compelling spectacle that rivals established combat sports.

The Road to the Finals

The league features eight powerhouse franchises across North America, including:

● Canada: Toronto, Montreal, Vancouver, Calgary
● USA: Tampa Bay, Long Island, Las Vegas, Detroit

As the pre-season moves through Calgary, Long Island, and Las Vegas, the momentum will build toward a historic USA vs. Canada Final. For Costantini, who built this league on a foundation of resilience following a personal battle with cancer, TAWF represents more than a competition – it’s a movement.

“The misconception is that it’s just a strength contest,” says Costantini. “In reality, it’s a strategic sport… delivering a better experience for athletes, fans, and broadcasters alike.”

Fans can tune in to Fight Network to catch all the excitement themselves.

The post TAWF is Revolutionizing Arm Wrestling for the Masses appeared first on Toronto Guardian.

What is your business called and what does it do?

Our business is called Amino, and it’s an AI-powered nutrition app that helps people better understand what they’re eating. Instead of manually logging food or trying to interpret complicated nutrition labels at the grocery store, users can simply take a photo of their meal or scan a barcode with their phone and instantly receive nutritional insights.

Since launching in September 2025, the platform has grown quickly, surpassing 100,000 users and more than 2 million meals scanned, with 40,000+ meals now being analyzed each day.

The goal is to make nutrition tracking easier and more accessible so people can make better food decisions in their everyday lives.

What made you want to do this work?

I’ve always been interested in building technology that people actually use in their daily routines. Nutrition is something everyone thinks about, but most tools for tracking food have historically been frustrating or time-consuming to use.

When AI image recognition started getting good enough to identify foods from photos, it became clear there was an opportunity to remove a lot of the friction from nutrition tracking.

What problem did you want to solve with the business?

Traditional nutrition apps require people to manually log every ingredient they eat, which is tedious and usually leads people to stop using them.

We wanted to solve that problem by making the process almost effortless. If someone can simply take a photo of their meal or scan a barcode, and immediately understand what they’re eating, they’re much more likely to stay engaged and make informed decisions.

Who are your clientele/demographics?

Our users range widely, but generally, they’re people who want to be more mindful about their health and nutrition.

That includes people trying to improve their fitness, individuals managing specific dietary goals, and everyday consumers who simply want to understand their food better. We’ve seen strong adoption across both Canada and the United States. Amino is great because it appeals to such a wide audience. People of all ages, genders, ethnicities, and backgrounds love using Amino!

How does your business make money? How does it work?

Amino is free to use, with no subscriptions, paywalls, or hidden fees for our core features. Anyone can scan their meals and instantly receive nutritional insights.

Over time, we plan to introduce optional premium tools for users who want deeper analytics, advanced tracking, and more personalized insights to support specific health and wellness goals.

Where in the city can we find your profession?

We’re based in Toronto, but the nature of building a technology platform means our work happens both locally and globally. Much of the development and strategy work happens here in the city, while the app itself is used by people all over the world.

What is the best question a prospective customer could ask a member of your profession when comparing services? Give the answer as well.

A great question to ask is: “Will I actually keep using this product after the first week?”

The biggest challenge with nutrition apps historically has been user retention because manual logging is time-consuming. Tools that make the experience faster and simpler tend to be the ones people stick with. We currently have 40,000+ meals being scanned every day, with a high number of active users who continue using Amino as part of their daily routine.

What is the best part about what you do? What is the worst part?

The best part is seeing people use something you’ve built to improve their daily habits. When users tell us the app helped them better understand their food choices, that’s incredibly rewarding.

The hardest part is that building consumer technology requires constant iteration. You’re always learning from users and improving the product, which means the work never really stops.

What is your favourite joke about your own profession?

A classic one in tech is:

“It works on my phone.”

It’s a reminder that building software often involves solving problems you didn’t know existed five minutes earlier.

Where can we follow you?

Instagram | TikTok

You can learn more about Amino at aminoapp.com, and the app is available for download on the Apple App Store and Google Play Store: aminoapp.com/download

PAY IT FORWARD: What is another local business that you love?

I really like Lightbulb Daily, which was created by another Toronto entrepreneur. Right now, you can sign up for their free newsletter, and every morning at 8 am, you’ll receive one clear thought to start your day, paired with a wallpaper designed to stay with you. Lightbulb is going to be a really cool app that’s set to launch later this year to help other entrepreneurs act on their business ideas.

The post Homegrown Business: Andrew Shore of Amino appeared first on Toronto Guardian.

What is your business called and what does it do?

Isola Serena, a private luxury villa in Chianti, Tuscany, that can accommodate up to 23 people, and offers a beautiful opportunity to explore Tuscany.

What made you want to do this work?

My husband fell in love with Tuscany over 20 years ago and travelled there every summer for vacation. When we started dating, he brought me to Tuscany for the first time, and I instantly fell in love with the beautiful rolling hill views, the community, the food, the wine and the culture. We rented villas every year, but there was always something that didn’t quite meet all the criteria we were looking for, and we decided our dream was to build and restore a villa ourselves and make it completely our own. In 2013, we searched property listings online and came across a farmhouse ruin that was part of a castle in 1077, and it had the most breathtaking views of the Tuscan countryside. We purchased it and started our Tuscan restoration journey to build our dream home, starting small, and expanding it year over year – as it now stands, Isola Serena is a world-class, private luxury resort and one of the largest villas in Chianti!

What problem did you want to solve with the business?

Many villas in Tuscany are hundreds of years old and have preserved their architecture and authenticity, but they lack the comforts of home we enjoy in North America. We wanted to build a villa that preserved Tuscan culture, artisanal traditions, and craftsmanship, while complementing them with modern amenities and furniture. With the most breathtaking views in the Tuscany countryside, Isola Serena has 1 main house and 2 guesthouses that include 10 bedrooms all with ensuite bathrooms and sleeps up to 23 people, AC/heating temperature-controlled -panels in every room, strong wifi throughout the entire property, a fully stocked chef’s kitchen, large infinity pool, small heated plunge pool, and more. This is very unique and special for luxury villa rentals in Tuscany, and it makes for a very comfortable experience for our guests to enjoy a week in the Tuscan paradise!

Who are your clientele/demographics?

The demographic skews older – 40s and above, families or large groups who are celebrating a special occasion, or we get a lot of big families looking for a comfortable getaway in Tuscany.

How does your business make money? How does it work?

As Toronto natives, my husband and I travel back and forth to Tuscany with our two young boys, but we rent the villa year-round when we’re not there. For 2026, the villa rents for $34,800 CAD per week in high season and for $28K CAD per week in low season. This year, we are already almost fully booked for the season, with only a couple of weeks remaining!

Where in the city can we find your profession?

We have a home office in Toronto where we are in constant contact with our Italian contractors, vendors, and partners who help operate and maintain our property overseas. We also handle all marketing, social media, bookings, partnerships, and client experiences from Toronto. We have a local Tuscan property manager on-site who checks our guests in and out and is available to them 24/7 while they’re there.

What is the best question a prospective customer could ask a member of your profession when comparing services? Give the answer as well.

Can you tell me why I should travel to Tuscany and what is unique about your villa?

Tuscany is one of those places, unlike anywhere else in the world, that will change you, ground you, and reset you. The villa is also located in one of the most charming towns, Castellina in Chianti, which is centred around community, slow living and an appreciation of the culture – the land, the food, the wine, the olive oil, and of course, the people. At Isola Serena, with the incredible rolling hills and 360 panoramic views, it’s a place to slow down, relax, and recharge all while having the modern comforts and amenities you enjoy from home, spending time with the people you love.

What is the best part about what you do? What is the worst part?

The best part: there is nothing more rewarding than having guests thank us for the best week of their lives and sharing how special the villa was and how they created memories they will never forget! It makes every hard or challenging moment worth it and is the reason why we share our home and do what we do.

The worst part: managing an Italian property from Toronto and dealing with all the trades and contractors to continually maintain the huge grounds – there is always something that needs fixing or updating, and it is home ownership on a completely different level!

What is your favourite joke about your own profession?

When people tell us we don’t need to work anymore because we own a Tuscan villa! The operating costs and work involved in running and maintaining such a large property, and ensuring we provide the best experience for our guests, are a 24/7, full-time, around-the-clock job!

Where can we follow you?

Website | Instagram

PAY IT FORWARD: What is another local business that you love?

Everist was founded by 2 women in Toronto who are close friends of mine, and it is a beauty brand that focuses on the first patent-pending waterless hair and body concentrates. Sustainability is their “why” and central to how they formulate, package and push beauty forward. Their products are amazing and fit a whole bottle of shampoo and conditioner into a 100ml, travel-friendly, aluminum tube – perfect for travelling to Isola Serena!

The post Homegrown Business: Serena Kalen of Kalen Properties appeared first on Toronto Guardian.

Before Toronto was Toronto, and long before it became the city we recognize today, the site now known as St. Lawrence Market was already being shaped into one of its most important civic spaces.

In 1803, Lieutenant Governor Peter Hunter designated a portion of land in the growing settlement of York as a public market block. At the time, York was a small colonial outpost on the northern shore of Lake Ontario, still developing the basic infrastructure needed to support a permanent population. The creation of a formal market space reflected both necessity and foresight. Settlements required reliable access to food and goods, but they also needed a central place where trade, communication, and public life could naturally gather.

Long before formal colonial planning, the broader region was part of established Indigenous trade networks that connected communities across what is now southern Ontario. These exchange systems continued to influence commerce in the area even after the establishment of York, shaping how goods and relationships moved through the region.

As the settlement expanded, the Market Block quickly became one of its most active public spaces. Farmers arrived from surrounding townships with produce and livestock, while local residents gathered not only to trade but to exchange information and maintain social connections. By the 1820s, the market had become essential to the daily functioning of the town, even as it remained informal in structure.

As York transitioned into a more structured colonial town, the need for a permanent market building became increasingly clear.

The First Market Building and Civic Life Above Commerce (1831–1849)

A permanent market building was constructed in 1831. This brick structure extended from King Street toward Front Street and represented one of the earliest attempts to formalize public commerce in the growing city.

The building also played a limited civic role during this period. Upper rooms were used at times for municipal meetings, reflecting the practical realities of a developing town where dedicated civic buildings were still emerging. Rather than a fully integrated city hall, it functioned more as a shared civic space where governance and commerce occasionally overlapped.

This arrangement reflected the early structure of Toronto’s public life, where institutions were still forming and space was used flexibly to meet multiple needs.

That early building did not survive the mid-century fire. In 1849, the Great Fire of Toronto swept through parts of the downtown core and destroyed much of the original market structure along with surrounding infrastructure. The fire marked a turning point in the city’s development and triggered a wave of rebuilding that reshaped the urban landscape.

Rebuilding and Expansion (1850s–Early 1900s)

In the decades following the fire, the market district was rebuilt and expanded multiple times as Toronto experienced rapid population growth and industrial development. The surrounding area became a dense commercial hub, supported by rail lines, shipping routes on Lake Ontario, and an expanding regional economy.

By the late 19th century, the St. Lawrence Market had become a central node in Toronto’s food distribution system. It was no longer only a place for local farmers but a regional marketplace connected to broader supply chains across southern Ontario.

The most significant architectural shift came in the early 20th century, when the South Market building was redesigned into a large covered hall supported by steel trusses. This transformation created a more open interior space designed to improve light, airflow, and circulation. It reflected a broader shift in urban market design toward efficiency and public accessibility.

Rather than a purely functional trading space, the market increasingly became a civic destination, embedded in the daily rhythms of city life.

The South Market as a Civic Constant (1900s–1970s)

Throughout the 20th century, the South Market remained one of Toronto’s most consistent public institutions. While many North American cities replaced traditional markets with supermarkets and dispersed retail systems, St. Lawrence Market retained its role as a central food hub.

Vendors operated across generations, and many families maintained stalls for decades. Customers returned weekly, building routines that became part of the city’s social fabric.

By the mid-20th century, however, the building required significant upkeep, and discussions emerged about whether it should be replaced. These debates reflected a broader tension in postwar Toronto between modernization and heritage preservation.

In the 1970s, the decision was made to restore rather than demolish the South Market. Between 1974 and 1978, the building underwent a major rehabilitation that preserved its historic structure while modernizing its infrastructure. During this period, the former civic chambers were repurposed into what is now the Market Gallery, preserving a visible connection to the building’s earlier municipal use.

This restoration marked an important shift in Toronto’s approach to heritage, helping establish the St. Lawrence Market as one of the city’s most significant preserved civic buildings still in active use.

The North Market and Its Constant Reinvention

Across Front Street, the North Market has followed a very different trajectory.

Unlike the South Market, which evolved within a relatively continuous structure, the North Market site has been rebuilt multiple times over more than two centuries. Different buildings have occupied the site in the 19th and 20th centuries, reflecting shifting commercial needs and changing urban design priorities.

A canopy once connected the North and South Markets across Front Street, reinforcing their functional relationship as a unified commercial district. That connection was removed in the 1950s as automobile traffic increased and the street was reconfigured.

In 1968, a new single-storey North Market building was constructed. While functional, it lacked the architectural presence and flexibility required for a rapidly evolving city. By the early 2000s, it was widely recognized as outdated, and plans were developed for a complete redevelopment of the site.

Archaeology Beneath the Surface (2015–2017)

When the 1968 North Market building was demolished in 2015, the site became subject to mandatory archaeological assessment as part of the redevelopment process.

Excavations uncovered structural remnants from earlier market buildings, along with a range of artifacts including tools, ceramics, and commercial objects from the 19th century. These findings confirmed the long continuity of market activity on the site and provided a clearer picture of its historical development.

The archaeological work was integrated into the construction timeline and documented as part of the redevelopment process rather than functioning as an open public excavation site. Even so, it reinforced the depth of historical layering beneath the modern city.

A Decade of Transition (2015–2025)

Following demolition, market vendors were relocated to a temporary structure at 125 The Esplanade. What was expected to be a short-term arrangement ultimately lasted nearly a decade.

During this period, the market continued to operate, but the absence of a permanent North Market building created a noticeable shift in the district’s spatial identity. The South Market remained active throughout, maintaining continuity for daily operations, while the northern component adapted to temporary conditions.

The redevelopment process experienced delays due to design revisions, procurement changes, and the complexity of building on a historically sensitive site.

The New North Market (2019–2025)

Construction resumed in 2019 with a revised vision for the North Market as a multi-purpose civic building combining public market space, government functions, and improved urban connectivity.

The ground floor was designed as a flexible market hall intended for farmers’ markets and community programming. Above it, provincial court facilities were incorporated into the structure, reflecting a modern approach to civic integration within dense urban space.

The building also includes improved pedestrian circulation, underground parking, and stronger physical connections between Front Street, Market Lane, and the surrounding district. Its design emphasizes transparency and openness through extensive use of glass and natural light, marking a clear shift from the heavier institutional architecture of its predecessor.

The 2025 Opening and a Return to Function

In 2025, the new North Market officially opened, restoring a permanent home for the Farmers’ Market after years of temporary relocation.

The reopening marked a significant moment in the long redevelopment process, re-establishing the northern component of the St. Lawrence Market complex while maintaining continuity with its historic function.

The South Market continued uninterrupted throughout this period, reinforcing its role as the long-standing anchor of the district.

The Market Today

Today, the St. Lawrence Market complex consists of the South Market, the newly rebuilt North Market, and the adjacent St. Lawrence Hall. Together, they form one of Toronto’s most historically layered and continuously active civic districts.

The South Market remains a daily destination for food, culture, and community life. The North Market now supports weekend markets and civic programming, while the surrounding area continues to evolve as a key public space within the city.

What makes St. Lawrence Market remarkable is not simply its age, but its continuity of purpose. For more than 200 years, it has remained a place where people gather to trade, connect, and participate in the life of the city.

It has changed shape many times, but it has never stopped being a market at the centre of Toronto’s civic identity.

Check out some of the photographs we found on the Toronto archives to see the changes to the St Lawrence Market and neighbourhood over the years. For more images, be sure to check out the archives here.

The post The History of the St Lawrence Market in Toronto appeared first on Toronto Guardian.