I L L U S T R A T I O N S B Y M A R I A P I Ñ E R O S MARIPINEROS.COM IG: @MARI_NOMIDDLENAME
Love Le tt e r s to Qu e e n We s t We love our ‘hood. And we know many others do too, so we reached out to everyday folks to share their “Love Letter to Queen West”. Many from the community shared their thoughts, feelings and sentiments about why they love this ‘hood so much! Here’s a selection of what we heard:
“Where to begin? From my early days frequenting Velvet Underground and Open Mics at Mitzi’s Sister to discovering Gloryhole Doughnuts and my new favourite music venue Drom Taberna, Queen West has always been home. I’ve spent many a summer day relishing in nostalgia at Black Market, thrifting with friends only to hit the patio at Java House for wine and a cost effective (yet tasty) meal. Taken Silks classes at City Dance Corps and spent many beautiful Tuesday nights crooning into the microphone for Drom Taberna’s Open Jam. Queen West is a beautiful place to be, and although gentrification still very much finds its footing, we hold our ground in this neighborhood and I hope we always will.” ~ Joy
“Even in the dead of winter, as my daily walks led me through your colourful storefronts, this city started to feel like home for the first time. I’ll do my part to fill you with life again this summer, the way you’ve done for me.” ~ Marissa
“Java House by morning sun ascends into patio lunch at Drom. Travel east for a tattoo at Blind Tiger then cocktails at The Shoe, dreaming of Gord. New shoes at Walking on a Cloud to dance in late night at The Rex and The Bovine. Queen West is LIFE!” ~ John
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