Some of you may have already heard, we've got a sister shop in Van called Ai & Om.  Their shop isn't open for e-commerce yet, but will in time, featuring exclusives to the West Coast. 

Douglas Chang is the owner of this wonderful space.  He's an ex chef with a huge heart and a mind full of invaluable wisdom.  We went to visit him before the opening in the summer.

And what's happening in Japan?
Many of you know Ivan, he's my business partner.  Not too long ago, maybe about a year and a half ago, he followed his heart and found himself in Japan.  Not just to visit, but to work and fall in love with the life that surrounds him.  I call him "Knivan" for a reason.  He has become one with the knife; I think he was born this way, and there's no other place than Japan that I can see him.  Sharpening, finishing, designing, and re-handling knives.  His life consists of working closely with some of the best sharpeners, blacksmiths and sushi chefs in the world on a daily basis.  You can see his Instagram posts under the name @toshoworks, which is much that is going on with him in Japan.  I'm noting that it is different than the Toronto's version of instagram @toshoknifearts.

So it's the Christmas Season and the streets are getting a bit slippery in Toronto.  There is much word and inquisition of the change that's happening.  Mirvish Village is closing down by December 2016, and Westbank seems to hold a vision to reopen in about four years, with the goal of retaining Mirvish's sense community.  I've got my hopes that the quirky and diverse lives on. 

Our new space isn't too far away, just north of Bathurst Station.  Write down our new address:  934 Bathurst Street.  We are located on the West side between Barton and Follis.  We'll keep you posted if we're closing the brick and mortar for any renovations.  For now I think we might keep it simple but you never know...so keep in touch!

In the meantime, hope you're getting in the winter spirit!  I'm just pulling out my skates now...