Behind every great neighbourhood are passionate individuals who pour their creativity, dedication, and heart into their businesses. Get to know a few of the business owners in the Riverside BIA and discover the stories behind their businesses.
Rachelle Wintzen of Chi Junky
Address: 70 McGee St | Instagram: @chi_junky
What inspired you to start your business?
I was a dancer living in New York and injuries ended my career. I ended up working in NYC nightlife and hospitality for almost a decade, which ultimately had me living a very toxic lifestyle. I left that world behind and did a 180 into wellness that started with myself.
The name “Chi Junky” was birthed from my own personal story of turning a negative into a positive, and that anyone can change. I went from being addicted to all the things nightlife had to offer to being addicted to living well.
I worked in the industry as a yoga instructor and nutritionist for many years before I moved back to the East End and started Chi Junky 12 years ago!
My dream was to create a space that welcomed all walks of life and made getting to a movement class as seamless as possible by providing a full-service experience where all you need to do is show up and we literally take care of everything else.
What do you like about being in Riverside?
My family has been in Riverside since the 90s so I grew up in this neighborhood and have watched it change immensely. I will always be a proud Eastender. To me, it is the best pocket in the whole city with so many incredible small businesses and hidden gems. It is lowkey, beautiful, and everyone is so friendly.
What are one or two things you want people to know about your business or you as a small business owner?
Chi Junky is a full-service studio, which means we pre-set all mats and props so you can just walk into the room. We have alkaline water, glasses and towels so you never need to worry about bringing your own.
There’s nothing worse than stressing through city traffic and finding parking only to be turned away from your class! So I created a studio that I needed, where if I was five minutes late, I could still get into class, be greeted with a friendly face, and find an amazing community.
The studio was built on the intention of taking care of people, from setting up everything for you to cleaning up after, so you can just stay in your zen state and get on with your day.
We are a movement studio that offers a wide range of classes from mild to wild! What I love most about Chi Junky is the variety of people who move with us, from a father and his young daughter to an 85-year-old woman. It is rare and beautiful to see so many different walks of life take classes with us.
We have about 15 different styles of classes, so you can find the movement practice that works for you, from ELDOAs, pilates and flow-style classes to soundbaths, dance cardio and high energy workouts.
Sabine MacDonald and Alena Nyvltova of Somanai Energy Lounge
Address: 717 Queen St E (Unit 201) | Instagram: @somanaienergylounge
What inspired you to start your business?
Sabine: According to recent Canadian data, 39% of employees report feeling burned out. I was one of them during my corporate career. That experience changed my life. I stepped away from the corporate world and committed myself to helping others restore their energy, regulate their nervous system, and improve their overall well-being. Life is simply too short to spend it depleted.
Alena: For more than 20 years, I have worked with people looking for natural ways to restore balance and improve their well-being. Seeing the positive changes in thousands of clients inspired me to create another space in downtown Toronto where people can pause, recharge, and reconnect with themselves using innovative wellness technologies and personalized care.
What do you like about being in Riverside?
We instantly fell in love with the Riverside neighbourhood. It’s vibrant, welcoming, and full of unique local businesses, cafés, restaurants, and creative energy. It has a real sense of community, and we’re proud to be part of it.
What are one or two things you want people to know about your business or you as small business owners?
If you’ve been feeling overwhelmed, stressed, anxious, or simply exhausted, know that you’re not alone. So many people are running on empty without even realizing it.
At Somanai Energy Lounge, our goal is simple: to help you restore your energy, find greater balance, and leave feeling noticeably better than when you walked in. Through advanced wellness technology, frequency-based therapies, and a personalized approach, we create a space where your body and mind can truly recharge.
If we can help shift your state of being, even just a little, we’ve accomplished exactly what we set out to do. We’d love to welcome you in and show you what’s possible.
Kara Isert of Sparkplug Coffee
Address: 717 Queen St E (Unit 104A2) | Instagram: @sparkplugcoffee
What inspired you to start your business?
Sparkplug Coffee is an online coffee retailer that delivers to coffee lovers across Canada from our workshop in Riverside. To be honest, I started Sparkplug because I was tired of mediocre coffee. I’m from coffee-crazy Vancouver and when I moved to Toronto, I just couldn’t find a great cup. So I went down the rabbit hole, learned what actually makes coffee taste great, and figured other coffee lovers would want in on the secret too. That’s how Sparkplug started, delivering great coffee right to your door. The name was inspired by my vintage Vespa, and if you’re in this neighbourhood and the weather is nice, I might roll up on it with your bag of coffee.
What do you like about being in Riverside?
The Riverside BIA is the best BIA in Toronto, hands down. They put on festivals and events that actually get people out of their houses and talking to each other. And the people here are just good people. I’ve had customers become friends over the years. The businesses look out for each other too, everybody pitching in to make this feel like a real community, not just a strip of shops along Queen Street.
What are one or two things you want people to know about your business or you as a small business owner?
Although Sparkplug Coffee is all online and does not have a storefront, I’m proud that we are able to help other organizations and build community; like with our online coffee fundraising program that helps schools, sports teams, and community groups raise money. No upfront cost, no risk, just good coffee. TDSB-approved, too!
I’m also proud of our partnership with Good Foot Delivery. They’re a Toronto charity that hires neurodiverse couriers, giving people meaningful work and employment skills. A portion of every bag of our Good Foot partner blend, The Courier, goes right to them. And if you’re in Riverside, there’s a good chance a Good Foot courier will deliver your Sparkplug order.
Sepideh Zeinalian of Ava Elite
Address: 711 Queen St E | Instagram: @ava.elite.ca
What inspired you to start your business?
I have always been deeply passionate about creating art. To me, a dress is more than just clothing — it is a beautiful manifestation of the soul. This belief is what inspired me to start this business, turning fashion into a form of artistic expression.
What do you like about being in Riverside?
I am thrilled to be a part of the Riverside community and look forward to connecting with the wonderful locals and supporting the vibrant neighborhood.
What are one or two things you want people to know about your business?
At our boutique, we specialize in creating custom gowns tailored to each client’s unique taste with an exceptionally fast turnaround time. This solves a major challenge for many brides and individuals looking for evening wear. Additionally, we offer professional floral design and premium gift wrapping services.