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West Queen West (i.e. past Bathurst and all the way to Dufferin) is the new Queen West -- for now. But since the Drake went in and condo developers pounced, the area is again under the stress of gentrification.
The artists that made the area "cool" can no longer afford to live in the area. The small shops, galleries and restaurants that gave the area its "cool" can't pay the rising retail rents. Developers, unchecked (checked and then using the OMB to bypass municipal orders) are building more and uglier glass and steel (not that glass and steel is always ugly, just the much of what is being built is).
Monoculture is a good way to look at it.
The only business that can really afford the rents are the chain stores that can be found in just about any mall in North America. It has been a slow process that is picking up speed. There are community organizations that are pushing back against these trends but, frankly, I feel it is a losing battle.
I would not be surprised to find out that this fire was arson.
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"My hands are on fire. Hands are on fire. Ain't got no more time for all you charlatans and liars."
- Old Man Luedecke
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