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Riverside Vintage Crawl – Fall 2026 Edition Highlights

Last Friday, October 2nd, the Riverside Vintage Crawl returned for its annual fall installment! Aside from your favourite stores, there was also an extra special outdoor pop-up market.

Thank you to all of you who spent your Friday evening shopping and enjoying the local vibe with us in Riverside. We hope you love your new purchases from the event!

If you post photos from the Riverside Vintage Crawl, feel free to tag @riverside_bia and the businesses you got them from — we’d love to see your photos and share them!

p.s. Winners of the Vintage Crawl Raffle will be shared in our IG stories and we will email you as well.

In case you missed it, check out some of the many highlights from the Riverside Vintage Crawl – Fall 2026 Edition:

Arts Market gave away samples of sweet treats from Pastry Peaks

Aside from in-store deals, there were sidewalk sales too

Common Sort prepared these wonderful refreshments for the evening and DJ Negus was in the house

So many racks, so little time at The Vintage Hall, which also have their one year anniversary celebration the same evening!

Here’s one of the vendors of the pop-up market at Glass House Garden Centre and Cafe

Yes, that Fevers Vintage tee is for sale!

The DJ at Hogtown Vintage set the mood for a night of shopping

Shoppers got to try these delicious baked goods from St. John’s Bakery at St. John’s Eco Market!

This olive green trench from Hogtown Vintage is perfect for fall

Looks like someone tagged along to help their human shop

Follow @riverside_bia on Instagram and check the Riverside Blog regularly so you’re always updated on fun events and programming in the neighbourhood!

Catch the Riverside BIA Community Pop-up Every Wednesday This October!

This October and November, the Riverside BIA is popping up in the neighbourhood to share our new Riverside Explore Guide with you all!

The Riverside BIA Community Pop-up will be happening (weather permitting!) at 1pm on Wednesday: October 7th, 14th, 21st, 28th and November 4th.

Our pop-ups will take place at the corner of Queen/Saulter St, by the big LOCAL sign outside Glass House Garden Centre and Cafe (771 Queen St E).

Here’s what to expect at the Riverside BIA Community Pop-up:

Grab a copy of the Riverside Explore Guide

If you haven’t gotten a copy of this free neighbourhood guide yet, stop by the pop-up.  Tip: You can also get a copy in local businesses while shopping or dining in Riverside. Check out more about what’s inside the guide on our blog:

BLOG: The Riverside Explore Guide is Out — Grab Your Copy Now!

Sign Up for Community Enews / Enter Our Local Raffle for Chance to Win!

Enter the Riverside Explore Guide Raffle OR sign up for the Riverside Community E-Newsletter *on the spot* at the pop-up and get an instant prize from our prize machine!

Learn about upcoming events

From the Riverside Halloween Fest to the Riverside Holiday Market, the ‘ber months are an exciting time in Riverside! There will be event postcards you can grab at the Pop-ups.

Get to know the Riverside BIA

If you’re not totally familiar with the Riverside BIA, the pop-up is a great opportunity to ask questions. Chat with us and tell us about what you love about Riverside!

Whether you’re in the neighbourhood getting a coffee, running errands or having your lunch break, we hope to see you at the Riverside BIA Community Pop-up!

Follow @riverside_bia on Instagram and check the Riverside Blog regularly so you’re always updated on fun events and programming in Riverside!

The Riverside Explore Guide is Out — Grab Your Copy Now!

If you’ve been to one of our events recently or have dropped by a business in our neighbourhood, you might have noticed a stack of handy little booklets in our signature BIA colours… Yes, our new Riverside Explore Guide is here!

We’re so excited for all of you to get your hands on the new Riverside Explore Guide. This FREE guide covers everything you need to know about Toronto’s Riverside neighbourhood, from history and public art to food and shopping.

Discover (or Rediscover) Riverside

In the Riverside Explore Guide, you can read about:

  • Public art in Riverside
  • Vintage shopping in Riverside
  • Riverside Then & Now
  • Riverside events
  • And many more!

Enter the Riverside Explore Guide Raffle

Here’s a little incentive for you to get the Riverside Explore Guide: there’s an exclusive raffle you can enter and the QR code can only be found inside front page of the guide (page 2). Deadline of entries is on November 15, 2026 so be sure to grab a copy of the Riverside Explore Guide ASAP! Prizes includes gift cards to local dining and retail!

Join the Riverside Community E-Newsletter

Simply scan the QR code on page 23, fill out a quick form and you’re all set! You’ll receive our community e-newsletter straight to your inbox each month. From upcoming public events to local business news, you’ll always be in the loop as to what’s happening in Riverside!

Whether you’re trying the new seasonal drinks at Dark Horse, shopping for a new jacket at The Vintage Hall, or borrowing a book at the Queen/Saulter Library Branch, don’t forget to grab a copy of the Riverside Explore Guide!

We want to see you with the Riverside Explore Guide so take photos with it, post them on social and tag @riverside_bia. We can’t wait to see and share them! In the meantime, follow us on Instagram and check the Riverside Blog regularly for updates on all things Riverside!

We acknowledge and thank the City of Toronto, Government of Canada and FedDev Ontario (@feddev_ontario) for support of this initiative as part of the Transit Construction Mitigation Fund 2026.

Celebrate National Coffee Day in Toronto’s Riverside

Whether you’re looking for a midday pick-me-up or searching for your next favourite cafe, Toronto’s Riverside has a vibrant community of local businesses that serve great coffee.

In celebration of National Coffee Day, check out these coffee shops and restaurants in the neighbourhood for your next caffeine fix:

Photo credit: Amber Kitchen and Coffee

Amber Kitchen and Coffee (@amberkitchento)

Address: 4 Boulton Ave

Amber has become a brunch hot spot for its delicious Middle Eastern menu but don’t miss out on the coffee. Pair your beverage with a freshly baked pastry or two from the glass display — the Chocolate Babka is a must-try!

Photo credit: Jimmy’s Coffee

Jimmy’s Coffee (@jimmys_coffee)

Address: 806 Queen St E

Jimmy’s Riverside location is beloved for its comforting drinks, cozy interiors and hidden back patio. For those who like their coffee on the sweet, creamy side, Jimmy’s Very Own — a latte with luscious caramel swirls — will hit the spot.

Photo credit: Glass House Garden Centre and Cafe

Glass House Garden Centre and Cafe (@glasshousecafe.to)

Address: 771 Queen St E

Aside from plants and gardening supplies, the Glass House Garden Centre and Cafe also offers espresso-based drinks that you can enjoy on the dog-friendly patio. Gelato by the scoop is available at the cafe too if you fancy a cold treat and try their new Sorrel tea.

BLOG: Hidden Gems of Riverside: Local Spots Worth the Detour

Photo credit: Isle of Coffee

Isle of Coffee (@isleofcoffee_to)

Address: 745 Queen St E

Looking for the perfect drink for fall? Try Isle of Coffee’s Tahini Maple Latte. Luckily, it’s a permanent item on the menu so you can enjoy it any time of the year! If you haven’t already, you have to try the cafe’s madeleines and Basque cheesecake too.

Photo credit: Lamoon Thai Kitchen & Coffee

Lamoon Thai Kitchen & Coffee (@lamoon.to)

Address: 730 Queen St E

Aside from delicious Thai dishes, Lamoon also has a wide selection of drinks. You can’t go wrong with the classic Thai Iced Coffee but if you’re feeling adventurous, try the Dirty Thai Tea, which is Thai iced tea with a shot of espresso.

Photo credit: Riverside BIA

Aura (@auratoronto)

Address: 686 Queen St E

In case you didn’t know, cocktail bar Aura has started operating as a cafe from 7am-3pm daily, which means during the day, you can get coffee, enjoy it on the beautiful back patio, and maybe do some work on your laptop or read a book.

Photo credit: Dark Horse Espresso Bar

Dark Horse Espresso Bar (@darkhorsecafe)

Address: 630 Queen St E

Aside from good coffee and delicious pastries, Dark Horse warrants a regular visit because of its seasonal offerings. This fall, they have the Tiramuccino, a drink-meets-dessert concoction for the coffee lovers. If you’re team matcha, there’s also the Pumpkin Honeycomb Matcha.

Follow @riverside_bia on Instagram and check the Riverside Blog regularly for more lifestyle content highlighting Toronto’s Riverside neighbourhood!

IDA x Riverside BIA Walking Tour Highlights

Earlier this month, the Riverside BIA organized a special walking tour around the neighbourhood for the 2026 Annual Conference of the International Downtown Association (IDA), which took place from August 31st to September 3rd in Toronto.

Held on September 1st, the Riverside walking tour titled “This River I Step In – Driving Local Economies”  highlighted key facets that make this East End neighbourhood the gem that it is.

Participants of the IDA Conference explored how art, design, and cultural programming have shaped—and continue to drive—the local economy of Toronto’s Riverside neighbourhood over time. Anchored by the Don River and its surrounding landscapes, the walking tour delved into how creative interventions in both public and private spaces contribute to placemaking, community identity, and sustained main street vitality. 

“I thought the Riverside walking tour was wonderful. It was really well done. It was cool to have all the different stops. I particularly loved the fact that they brought in a local artist to talk about the artwork in the neighbourhood,” said IDA Conference participant Pomai Lindenthal.

You can check out the full tour route and information on our Google Map HERE to take a self-guided tour.

Check out some of the highlights from the IDA x Riverside BIA Walking Tour:

All participants of the walking tour were gifted a Riverside BIA tote bag, of course

Local resident and BIA friend Simon Wong co-hosted the IDA x Riverside BIA Walking Tour with artist Monica Wickeler

Group photo with the iconic “Welcome to Riverside” mural by Jessie Durham and Melissa Luk at 651 Queen St E

It would be remiss of us if we didn’t take our lovely visitors to see the Riverside Bridge up close

Local artist Monica Wickeler co-hosted to tour, to highlight Riverside’s vibrant collection of public art

Our signature Riverside BIA branding grabbed the attention of the participants 

The tour made a stop at Fontbonne Ministries’ Mustard Seed location to talk about the nearby Ontario Line project

Peep the new details on our Love Local sign outside Glass House Garden Centre & Cafe

Participants got to quickly see another Riverside landmark: The Broadview Hotel

The tour culminated with a viewing of the historic photo exhibit located inside 100 Broadview Ave and with refreshments from Riverside BIA member ALK

Follow @riverside_bia on Instagram and check the Riverside Blog regularly so you’re always updated on exciting events and programming in the neighbourhood!

Photos by Riverside BIA