LESLIEVILLE, formerly a neighbourhood of light industry and manufacturing, has transformed itself into a dining/shopping/antiquing/condo hub.  It comes by its name legitimately: George Leslie (1804-1893) owned a large nursery in the area – Leslie Grove – which is now a park.  His trees line the streets of TORONTO, and much of the foliage in Allan Gardens came from here.

Leslieville (Empire Avenue to Coxwell, along Queen Street East) is home to many of TORONTO’s fine restaurants, bars, antique stores, art galleries and clothing emporia.  There’s a pawnshop, vintage record store, tattoo parlour, a cabinet maker, remnants of our industrial past, a chocolate shop, greasy spoons and one-of-a-kind coffee bars.

<You know you’re in Leslieville when you spot these multi-coloured benches.  Getting to Leslieville – Queen streetcar #501 to Empire Avenue.>