Maybe we’re biased because we live here—okay, our offices live here, but can you imagine if all SDTC’s writers lived in one Jersey Shore-style house??—but we think the little bit of Toronto between Bellwoods and Dufferin/Dundas and Queen is one of the best neighbourhoods in the city. One big reason for that is that it’s populated by some first-rate humans. We want you to meet some of them.

Place: lost & found, a coffee and clothes shop at 1255 Dundas St West.

Person: Jonathan Elias, owner (and maker of a fiiiine cup of the good stuff).

How long has the store been open?

We opened in January of 2011. We chose the neighbourhood because we saw it as an opportunity to find something not necessarily on the main strip, somewhere kind of off the beaten path. But now it’s kind of become the path, so we were pretty lucky. We initially chose this location because we wanted to be close to Ossington, even though it’s a bit of an odd one because you have to walk up the steps into this house. It’s not the most logical, but people seem to like the community vibe.

Where do you grab lunch when you’re working?

Honestly, I usually go for Portuguese chicken.  We’re big fans of the M&M meat shop next door. I wish there were a few more cheap options in the area, but they do a mean barbecue chicken so I can’t really complain.

And when work’s done, where do you head for beers?

Either right next door to The Fountain (1261 Dundas St. W.), or to The Communist’s Daughter (1149 Dundas St. W.) or Red Light. (1185 Dundas St. W.) 

Say you have friends coming in from out of town—where do you tell them to book dinner reservations?

Union. (72 Ossington Ave.) I looove Union. The Federal Reserve (1438 Dundas St. W.) at Dundas and Gladstone is a new place that I really enjoy for brunch—it’s delicious and some friends opened it, so all the better. For dinner it’s Union for sure, or Hopgood’s Foodliner (325 Roncesvalles Ave.) in Roncesvalles.

Any big news in the store?

We just started carrying In God We Trust jewelry. It’s all handmade in New York and it’s stunning.

Do you have a signature dance move, and if so what is it called?

I’d definitely say the robot. 100%. It’s my go-to. My sister makes me do it for my niece.

What are you looking forward to at the moment?

We’re doing a one year anniversary day soon where we’re giving away free coffee, and we’re going to have another Commuter party with Levi’s and Bikes on Wheels and another store. I’m really looking forward to going to New York for buying. And Neon Indian. Summer should be fun.

How would you describe this ‘hood, in a few words?

Fun and emerging. It’s got a great community vibe.

~ Monica Heisey