Jeeze….

I thought this day would never come. We’ve been planning our new shop for over a year now.

Last spring, we were out in the rain and wind with my homie, Jason Johnson (our real estate agent) shopping for a new location. We went all along Queen West, Parkdale and the Junction. We found some really amazing spaces, but nothing got us as excited as being inside Liberty Village.

I wont lie, the rent there costs a pretty penny, but it was perfect for what we were looking to do and to us, it was all worth it.

“Our intentions are deeper than skin deep. As important as it is to build a business, its equally important to cultivate minds and raise a culture.”

In our opinions, Liberty Village itself holds the same core values in their community as we do in our own. Its a tightly knit community that holds a farmers market every Sunday, BBQs and charity events on the regular and other random fun stuff. Theres a handful of different newspapers that gets distributed to the thousands of creative minds that live in the area to keep them all connected and a part of the community. Its not one of those places where people just go to work and go home and sleep.

Its like the good old days where people used to sit at cafe’s after work, making friends with random smiles. Or dog walking while pushing the strollers with the other local parents. Sitting on benches outside while reading newspapers and enjoying good conversations while having a cappuccino and a biscotti. Or maybe fall in love with the cute girl reading the book that you just finished while waiting for the bus. lol. Im so dumb. But the neighbourhood really makes me feel that way. lol.

The area is a random pocket bordering the CNE grounds and Parkdale but its nothing you would expect when you turn in. Its a neighbourhood full of factories and warehouses that used to produce and manufacture paper, toys, carpets and war supplies during the earlier half of the 20th century. There was even a central prison in the area. In fact the main street in which the prisoners walked when they were released from prison was called “Liberty Street.”

I guess the image of the French Revolution on the site’s main page made perfect sense then huh?

Its about time we were granted Liberty.

To everyone that we have had the pleasure of knowing and anyone that we haven’t yet, we’d like to invite you to our grand opening on April 16th at the new P&P flagship shop.

171 Liberty Street #145 (King and Dufferin area)
Toronto, On
April 16th, 2011
2pm-8pm

Come by to enjoy some smooth music from a custom trio of musicians we put together, some h’or dourves, some drinks and good people.

Its been a long time coming and we wouldnt want to celebrate this day with anyone else but you guys.
Our family.
Our reunion.

www.pleasureandpainink.com