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Toronto Humane Society is now open in Riverside!

Veterinary care just became more accessible in the East End — Toronto Humane Society has found a home for its new Community Animal Health Centre in Toronto’s Riverside neighbourhood!

In addition to the headquarters in 11 River St (just across the bridge from Riverside), Toronto Humane Society has opened a satellite location at 632 Queen St E in Riverside to expand operations and bring its affordable vet services closer to pet owners in the East End.

As one of Ontario’s oldest and largest animal welfare organizations, Toronto Humane Society has a long-standing legacy of being the heart of humane care and support with programs such as shelter care, training, veterinary services, just to name a few.

Led by a team of passionate, hardworking experts and a strong community network, Toronto Humane Society aims to reduce animal homelessness, ensure access to affordable veterinary care, and fight to preserve the human-animal bond.

The Toronto Humane Society – Community Animal Health Centre in Riverside offers a wide range of services, including:

  • Wellness exams and consultations
  • Vaccinations
  • Blood tests
  • Microchipping
  • Deworming
  • Spaying/neutering

Toronto Humane Society’s new Community Animal Health Centre is now open at 632 Queen St E in Toronto’s Riverside. Head over to the official website for more information on their programming and services. You can also book an appointment online at torontohumanesociety.com/vet!

Watch this Instagram Reel to see some of the highlights from the grand opening of the facility earlier this month!

While you’re at it, don’t forget to follow @riverside_bia on Instagram as well and check out the Riverside Blog regularly to stay updated on what’s new and happening in the neighbourhood!

Photo credits: Riverside BIA

Let’s Get Ready to Clean Queen East Together!

As some of you might already know, our annual neighbourhood clean-up, Clean Queen East Together, is happening this Friday, April 24th (11am-1pm)!

SIGN UP HERE

Before we come together as a community and do a little spring cleaning on our parks, sidewalks and laneways, we’ve got a few reminders for the event:

Know the details

Where is the meeting point? What areas will the clean-up cover? Do I need to bring anything? If you have any questions regarding the clean-up, read our blog post linked below for more information on Clean Queen East Together:

BLOG: Clean Queen East Together 2026: Community Clean-up on April 24th!

Tell your community

Over the years, Clean Queen East Together has been a great way to not only help maintain the cleanliness of the neighbourhood, but also to engage the community. From residents to local business owners, everyone is invited — so tell your family, friends, everybody!

Prepare an appropriate outfit

Springtime is known to have erratic weather, and Clean Queen East Together is a rain-or-shine event, so be sure to dress for all kinds of weather. Consider bringing a hat, a lightweight parka and some waterproof shoes just in case it gets a little wet during the clean-up.

Make a day of it

If you’ve got extra time after the clean-up, explore the neighbourhood while you’re there! Riverside is home to many cool restaurants, cafes, vintage shops and public art. Cleaning up the neighbourhood + supporting local? Now, that’s a Friday well spent!

Don’t forget to register

Sign up through the Clean Queen East Together event page on our website before Friday, April 24th. If you’re registering for a group, please let us know the number of participants so we can plan accordingly.

For updates, don’t forget to follow @riverside_bia on Instagram and check out the Riverside Blog regularly so you’re always in the loop as to what’s happening in Riverside. 

See you all on April 24th and let’s Clean Queen East Together!

Photo credits: Riverside BIA

A Journey to Italy in the Spring with Il Ponte

This season, Il Ponte invites you to discover exciting flavours of Italian cuisine with “A Journey to Italy in the Spring”, a culinary excursion through the vibrant regions of Italy.

Located at 625 Queen St E in Toronto’s Riverside neighbourhood, Il Ponte specializes in classic Italian dishes with a Venetian touch, made with the best local ingredients and authentic imports. 

Helmed by Giancarlo Catalano, the restaurant prides itself on the quality of its food, from freshly made soups and handrolled pastas to house-butchered meats.

When a trip to Puglia or Lazio isn’t possible, “A Journey to Italy in the Spring” brings beloved dishes from these breathtaking regions of Italy to your table. No expensive plane ticket needed!

Here’s everything you need to know about Il Ponte’s “A Journey to Italy in the Spring” and why it’s a must-do experience this season:

  • For $65, you can enjoy a three-course set menu. “A Journey to Italy in the Spring” includes an antipasto, primi and secondi. You can find the menus on the Il Ponte website or Instagram. The menu is posted on their Stories every week!
  • The menu for “A Journey to Italy in the Spring” changes every week! From Trofie al Pesto Trapanese in Week 1 to Saltimbocca alla Sorrentina in Week 3, no two visits are the same. Featured regions so far include Sicily, Puglia, Campania, Lazio and Emilia-Romagna.
  • “A Journey to Italy in the Spring” runs until April only, so catch the last few weeks of this sumptuous promotion at Il Ponte while you can! Bring your friends, family, significant other, etc. Make your reservation at Il Ponte via OpenTable.

Photo credits: Il Ponte

To stay updated on what’s new and happening in Riverside, make sure to check @riverside_bia on Instagram and the Riverside Blog regularly!

Spring Events and Promotions in Toronto’s Riverside

Snow has thawed, the sun sets after 7pm, and it’s finally warm enough for a lighter jacket — spring is here! To welcome the new season, exciting things are happening in the neighbourhood over the next few weeks. Here’s what’s on in Riverside this spring:

Photo credit: Tabule

“A Taste For Life” Dinner

Date & Time: All day, April 15th

Dine at Tabule (810 Queen St E) on Wednesday, April 15th and Tabule will donate a portion of proceeds from your meal to support Fife House’s supportive housing programs and services for vulnerable people and families living with HIV. Make a reservation HERE.

Photo credit: La Femme Strong

Menopause, Strength & Training

Date & Time: Saturday, April 18th | 12pm-1:45pm

Navigate this next phase of life with La Femme Strong (655 Queen St E) and learn how to adjust your training accordingly. This workshop will teach you how to help your body deal with menopause through strength training guidelines, nutrition basics and other helpful information! See the event poster on Instagram for details!

Photo credit: Jimmy’s Coffee

Jimmy’s Coffee Spring Menu

Jimmy’s Coffee (806 Queen St E) just dropped its line-up of featured drinks for spring! There are five refreshing beverages to indulge in this season: Cold Brew, Iced Latte, Strawberry Matcha, Lavender Lemonade and Iced Tea Lemonade. There’s something for everybody, whether you’re team coffee or team tea! 

Photo credit: UNTITLED by Flaunt Boutique

Semi-Annual Tier Sale

Date & Time: Whole month of April

Your favourite *retail* tier sale at UNTITLED by Flaunt Boutique (792 Queen St E) is back in full swing all April long, with deals you don’t want to miss! The more you spend, the more you save — so now might be the perfect time to grab that hot tool or hair serum you’ve been wanting to treat yourself. Check out the promo poster on Instagram for more info on how the sale works!

Photo credit: Riverside BIA

Clean Queen East Together

Date & Time: Friday, April 24th | 11am-1pm

Join us for our neighbourhood’s annual community clean-up and let’s all Clean Queen East Together! Cleaning supplies will be provided, and there will be refreshments for all volunteers after the clean-up. Register for Clean Queen East Together HERE. You can also read more about the clean-up in the blog post linked below!

BLOG: Clean Queen East Together 2026: Community Clean-up on April 24th!

To stay updated on what’s new and happening in Riverside, make sure to check @riverside_bia on Instagram and the Riverside Blog regularly!

What’s New in Riverside? (Spring 2026 Edition)

If you live in the area or frequently visit it, you’d know that Toronto’s Riverside neighbourhood is home to many businesses that have stood the test of time. But change is also always in the air and we get new additions in the community on the regular. In case you haven’t been to the neighbourhood in a little while, here’s what’s new in Riverside:

Photo credit: Lamoon Thai Kitchen & Coffee

Lamoon Thai Kitchen & Coffee (@lamoon.to)

Address: 730 Queen St E, Toronto, ON M4M 1H2

If you’re craving Thai food or have been wanting to try it, check out Lamoon Thai Kitchen & Coffee, whether you just want a sweet treat like the Thai Iced Tea and Mango Sticky Rice or something more filling like the Massaman Curry or Pad See Ew.

Photo credit: Hogtown Vintage

Hogtown Vintage (@hogtownvintage.to)

Address: 734 Queen St E, Toronto, ON M4M 1H2

Hogtown Vintage carries an extensive selection of curated vintage men’s and women’s fashion and accessories. When you’re there, don’t forget to go to the basement level for more vintage goodies! They’ve also got a cafe corner, if you want a dose of caffeine while shopping.

Photo credit: Hume

Hume (@humerestaurant)

Address: 782 Queen St E, Toronto, ON M4M 1H4

Hume specializes in Anatolian-inspired Mediterranean cuisine. Crafted by skilled chefs and made with the finest ingredients, dishes from Hume such as the Anatolian Trio Dip, Kofte and Dried Eggplant will leave you craving more. Their specialty cocktails are a must-try as well!

Photo credit: Toronto Humane Society

Toronto Humane Society – Veterinary Clinic (@toronto_humane_society)

Address: 632 Queen St E, Toronto, ON M4M 1G3

Bolstering its mission to support animal well-being and advocate for responsible pet ownership in and around Toronto, Toronto Humane Society has now expanded into Riverside with a new satellite Community Animal Health Care Centre with affordable veterinary services like wellness exams, vaccinations and more. Check out the website for more information on their services.

Photo credit: El Cazo

El Cazo (@el_cazo_taco_grill_and_bar)

Address: 780 Queen St E, Toronto, ON M4M 1H4

Get your Mexican food fix from El Cazo Taco Grill and Bar. Their menu includes Mexican classics such as chips, burritos and tacos with a wide variety of proteins and condiments to choose from. Finish off your meal with a refreshing margarita or an ice-cold bottle of Jarritos.

To stay updated on what’s new and happening in Riverside, make sure to check @riverside_bia on Instagram and the Riverside Blog regularly!