A versatile event space and gallery in Parkdale has officially closed its doors after two decades, although a new community-focused space has already swept in to replace it.
In an announcement posted late last year, staff at Five Brock — which was conveniently named after its address — revealed that the venue would be shutting down after 20 years of hosting weddings, art showcases, brand launches, birthdays and other events.
The massive venue was recently purchased by the Parkdale Community Food Bank, which has been on the hunt for a permanent home for several years to unite all of its programming under one roof.
“Our community is really excited that we finally have so much more stability as an organization. The precarity of operating out of commercial market rented spaces means that the food bank did have to relocate often, and that was a real source of anxiety for our service users, volunteers, and community members,” Executive Director Kitty Raman Costa told blogTO.
Since being founded in 2007, Costa says the food bank has been displaced at least three times due to rising rents and lack of protections for commercial tenancies.
“It was a goal of ours, just for more stability, security, and a better investment in our community and organization to operate out of an owned community purpose space,” she explained.
“Often times, the rent will increase very significantly at the end of a lease, and then a business, or in our case, a food bank, can no longer afford to pay the rent.”
The food bank now operates out of the rear unit at 5 Brock Ave., which Costa says is well-suited for the community’s needs, with its loading dock and ample space for programming and storage for food.
“It’s provided a significant sense of security for all of our community. It’s really exciting knowing that the food bank is going to have a home forever in this space.”
The food bank will be hosting its opening event on Feb. 23 from 12 p.m. to 3 p.m. and offering community-themed crafts and activities.
Donations of nonperishable food and personal care items are recommended, with top needs including diapers, toothbrushes and toothpaste, shelf-stable vegetarian proteins, pet food, diabetic-friendly food items, gluten-free food items, shampoo and conditioner, spices, sauces, and condiments.
Food donations are also accepted on-site at any time during the food bank’s hours of operation, and online donations can also be made through the organization’s website.
