Welcome to our new blog – a place we can celebrate the achievements of our academy students, and provide information that will be of use to our families. We recognise that young people attend our arts programs from all over the city, and further afield. Now that registration is open for our film classes, creative writing workshops and acting courses in the second semester, here are some useful resources for parent-drivers who find themselves in Bloor West Village with a couple hours to kill:
Coffee Shops and Eateries
The strip between Runnymede and Jane subway stations is filled with terrific places to catch a bite to eat, or hang out with a book while your student is in class. Centauri Arts is located at Bloor & Windermere; just across the intersection from us, you will find The Second Cup (2340 Bloor St. West). They’re open until 9pm, so this is a great place to meet your student at the end of class. There’s also The Coffee Tree, an independent coffee shop located a 5 minute walk west, close to Jane & Bloor – but they close a little earlier. If you love tea, there’s David’s Tea at 2285 Bloor St. West – they also open until 9pm. For food, check out The Works, at 2245 Bloor St West, or if you like Indian food, we’re spoilt for choice in Bloor West Village – try Durbhars, a 5 minute walk of the Centauri Arts Academy at 2469 Bloor St West, or Bukhara’s, a 3 minute walk east of Bloor & Windermere, just west of Bloor & Runnymede.
Running Errands!
If you’re looking to get stuff done while your arts student takes a class, walk east of the Centauri Arts Academy, and you’ll have everything you need. There’s a large Shoppers’ Drug Mart at Bloor & Runnymede, and if you continue walking a further 3 minutes, you’ll find a No Frills, which also offers free parking for an hour. Centauri is located above the Scotia Bank, and a TD bank can be found on the corner of Bloor & Runnymede. There are also plenty of small shops in Bloor West Village, offering fresh fruits and vegetables, baked breads, cakes, deli meats and more.
Gift Shops in Bloor West Village
With the holidays approaching, you can also purchase gifts and decorations while your student attends classes at the Centauri Arts Academy. My favourite gift shop is Quipus Crafts, located at Bloor & Armadale, 5 minutes west of us. Meanwhile, just one minute west, on the north side of Bloor, you’ll find Lemon & Lavender. We also have a fantastic book store in Bloor West Village – Book City, which is located at 2354 Bloor Street West.
Take A Stroll!
If the weather is mild, Bloor West Village is a great place to begin a walk! From the Centauri Arts Academy, a half hour stroll will take you east along Bloor to High Park, and through the park to Grenadier Restaurant, where you can warm up with hot chocolate and a homemade pastry, before heading back. Alternately, head south down Windermere, turn left onto Waller Avenue and enjoy a stroll in Rennie Park – a little known wild space just south of the Centauri Arts Academy. Finally, if you are feeling adventurous, use your two hours to head west on Bloor and north onto Old Mill Drive. This will take you to Etienne Brule park, and the banks of the Humber River, in about 20 minutes. There are walking trails along both banks of the river – or cross the bridge and enjoy a warm drink at the Old Mill, before returning to the Centauri Arts Academy in time for the end of class!
