You may be used to seeing Matt and Ben in a suit and tie, working hard to find their clients the perfect property. But, we were interested in finding out more about this charming duo. We interviewed Matt and Ben to find out  more, and  were surprised about their eclectic background and interests that they both have. In fact it was in the in the nightlife industry that these two first met.

 What are some of your hobbies/ stuff that you love to do?

 Matt – I am a former DJ and nightclub owner who still dabbles.  When I play for a crowd I specialize in house music.  I used to own many nightclubs but my flagship club was called Industry located at King/Strachan and was regarding as one of the best nightclubs in the world.  In my spare time I’m an avid golfer, skier and recreational cyclist.  I have a very close relationship with a large network of friends and family.

Ben –I am a family man with 2 great kids: Ben Jr and Addyson. Spending time with my awesome family, playing hockey and relaxing at the cottage are some of my favourite hobbies.  I am also really involved in different charitable initiatives including Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, Big Brothers, and Good Shepherd Hostel.

 What do you love about the East-End and in particular Riverside – what makes this area so unique?

 Matt – Firstly I love my loft at Carlaw and Dundas which was initially why I moved to the area from downtown more specifically ‘the village’ (Carlton/Church).  I love the mixture of both creative people and professionals that all seem to have a fairly open minded outlook on life.  I also feel the age range in the neighbourhood is a good match for myself now being 41 years old.  Obviously the restaurants along Queen St E are second to none with my favourite spots being Prohibition, Lucky Chinese, Bonjour Brioche, Lady Marmalade, The Roy and Ascari.  Of course there are many more that I love but these are the ones that I have been to over and over.

Ben – One of the special characteristics is how close Riverside is to downtown, and yet it still maintains a unique small town character – the people around here are really friendly and there is an authentic community feel with a cosmopolitan flair. 

 When did you first come to Riverside – and what sold you on the area? 

Matt – RE/MAX Hallmark realized that they needed to have some presence here and started to look for a building to purchase.  While the deal on the building we occupy at 785 Queen St E was still conditional, our president invited me to check out the new building and ask me where I would like my new office to be built.  I was thrilled because I live only a few blocks away and approximately 50% of our business is done in the neighbourhood. 

Ben – I have actually been living close to Riverside since 2006. I fully got to know this great neighbourhood when we opened up the new RE/MAX Office in the spring of 2012.

What is a fun fact that people may not know about?

Matt – The elephant in the room is that I had a very successful Dj career both in Toronto and around the world.  Many of my clients are surprised to later find out that they have been working with DJ Matt C.  For those of you who don’t know, I had a very popular radio show on CFNY 102.1 live to air from the Phoenix in the early 90’s.  I also had a show on Energy 108 as well as a TV show called Dance Nation on CHCH TV 11 that I hosted.  Moreover, I spun seven nights a week from 1989 to 2001.  It was an amazing time in my life and was a perfect precursor for my current career.  It’s how I met my business partner Ben as well as hundreds of our clients.

Ben – I’ve been working in real estate for over 10 years, but Matt and I have been business partners for over 20 years. Before switching into real estate we were nightclub owners and event promoters. 

What is your favourite part about the work that you do?

Matt – I enjoy all aspects of the real estate industry – and I have a love of architecture, interior design and inventory of homes.  I also enjoy the act of generating new clients through interesting marketing initiatives but the single thing that gets me most excited about real estate is generating multiple offers for my sellers or competing in multiple offers with my buyers.  It’s a very high stress emotional part of the business that I feel my experience is a major asset to my clients.

 Ben – I love people and I love finding them their dream home. It’s a very rewarding business! Our clients are fantastic and I love making new friends through the work that I do. In fact, we would love for people to join us for the tree lighting ceremony at Light up Riverside on Nov 28th. 

 Matt & Ben are proud sponsors of Light Up the Riverside

Please welcome 24 Fit Club, to Riverside.  They are newly opened in Riverside – at Eastern & Broadview (353 Eastern Ave).     24 Fit Club Toronto is a fun fitness movement that encompasses any range of physical activity appropriate for all fitness levels.

To celebrate their opening, owner – James Beare  is pleased to announce a grand opening special – a 24Fit Boot Camp Challenge!  This is a 4 week program that is entirely FREE and will get you in great shape! and consists of

• 12 fitness classes*
• 2 X-treme fitness challenges
• full body analysis
• nutrition coaching and a total body transformation.

*Hour long classes will be held on Mondays and Wednesdays at 6:00pm and 7:45pm and on Saturdays at 2:00pm. Fitness instructors will lead you through a wide variety of metabolic training exercises that target your entire body with the goal to burn fat, build muscle and get you the body you desire.

You must attend the registration open house on Sunday November 17th, 2013, between noon – 5:00pm. Registration should only take you about 30 minutes.

At 24 Fit you are always in control, to work out at your own pace and intensity, while your group encourages and motivates you to reach for higher levels.

24 Fit Club workouts offer tons of variety that can consist of activities like circuit-training, ultimate Frisbee, walking, hiking, running, and more. 24

Fit Club Toronto will improve your health, whether you are looking for fat loss, muscle development, increased energy, athletic performance, cardio exercise or any combination of those.

It is time to get fit with 24 Fit Club Toronto!!! And you can do it for FREE –

Welcome 24Fit to Riverside and pop in onto register for the Free 24Fit 4 Week boot camp at the Open House Sunday Nov 17th between noon and 5pm.

We are located 353 Eastern Avenue, Toronto M4M 1B9.

Special Guest Blogger:

James Beare

24Fit Toronto

647-627-7232

24FitToronto@gmail.com

www.facebook.com/24fittoronto.

www.24fittoronto.com

Ph#647-770-9726.

Its that time of the year again! Feel the warmth of the Holiday Season with Light Up the Riverside, Saturday November 30^th from 5-7PM at Mustard Seed 791 Queen St. E (Queen & Degrassi). Sparkle your day in riverside and carol away with Toronto Beach Choral.

Extraordinary lilting voices will accompany and entertain you with songs that will get you into the holiday spirits, while you enjoy complimentary hot chocolate that will be served for you. Riverside presents Toronto Beach Choral for your entertainment, they are an adult concert choir consists of men and women who share a passion for great classical choral music and committed to share their wonderful gifts of music, to engage the community in these special holiday moment.

Listen to their soaring beautiful voices combined with professional orchestra and ensemble coming together in harmony and start your holiday celebration early.

Riverside and it’s BIA members a history of investing and giving back.  Over the past 30 years, BIA members have invested to better the neighbourhood. Riverside  is proud to be one of the longest running BIAs in the city of Toronto. Established over 30 years ago in 1980, this 10 block strip along historic Queen east from the DVP to just east of Degrassi,  has a long tradition of promoting and investing in our community. While the retail businesses have changed with the times, many of the current property owners have been around since the inception of the BIA and continue to invest in the neighbourhood.

A BIA is formed when both business and property owners agree to come together and invest in the neighbourhood.  They voluntarily agree to pay a levy – in addition to their taxes, mortgage or rent – specifically for the purpose of promoting and beautifying the neighbourhood.  BIA members also donate countless hours of volunteering to administer the BIA, as the BIA is run by a volunteer Board of Directors who set the budget, the strategy and the plans.  This board is responsible to each and every paying BIA member – and must hold an Annual General Meeting where the members can provide input and vote on the proposed budget and plans and priorities.

Beyond promotion and beautification – the BIA is the contact point for many communication needs – across all levels of government, neighbourhood associations and other groups.

Over the past 30 years, the Riverside BIA has invested a significant amout above and beyond any tax or individual business investment.  The BIA also spear-headed government grant applications and private investments which help to make Riverside a safe and desirable neighbourhood.  Examples of investment and improvements are: public art installations  including the 3 part installation of world renowned artist Eldon Garnet –  above the DVP bridge, the “Time” phrases on each of the 4 corners at Queen + Broadview and the Flags in the Jimmy Simpson Park.  Other examples of public art are community Murals on the degrassi bridge and at Queen + Grant.  Over the past 3 years, the BIA has been working on preserving our Urban Forest with environmentally friendly Tree Pits.  We also help improving neighbourhood safety by encouraging pedestrian traffic with the addition of decorative benches and lighting.  There is  enhanced green space with contributions to the Joel Weeks Park – and Riverside Community Gardens- opened in 2012 and the Thompson Dog Parkette in 2013.   The BIA pays for street maintenance above and beyond the city minimum standards with a weekly grafitti removal service, installation and maintenance of decorative planters and part time maintenance staff, who regularly cleans the sidewalks.

In keeping with the spirit of giving back to the neighbourhood – in 2012 the BIA adopted a charity policy where each event has a local charity partner to help increase awareness of their cause and provide a venue to raise funds. Riverside has partnered with Woodgreen, Nellies Shelter, Mustard Seed, St John’s Compassionate Mission and the Ralph Thornton Centre.

Supporting Nellie’s – Eats & Beats 2013 

In 2013 the BIA played a leadership Role in establishing the Riverside Good Food Market – to bring fresh affordable food for those in need.  The BIA dedicated  a full time volunteer to help coordinate the market while it was in operation.

All of these initiatives and the community spirit that the BIA drives helps make the neighbourhood safe and desirable.