Paint Cabin

On the East Chinatown strip between De Grassi Street and Logan Avenue, Gord Wong’s cabin-style paint bar is hard to miss. From the exterior, Paint Cabin’s signature deer antlers glow under soft overhead lights, with a backdrop of barn panels and a slick sidewalk-to-ceiling retractable, windowed garage door. This is a stark juxtaposition against the non-descript vinyl storefront signage and two-storeys brick which pervade the neighbourhood.

With more and more young couples and families moving into up-and-coming Leslieville and Riverdale, creative contrasts are closing up. With this in mind, Gord wanted to bring something unique to the neighbourhood: a place to unplug from the digital world, experiment with art and decompress over a libation or some top-notch baked goods and strong espresso. So, on Halloween weekend in 2015, Paint Cabin opened its doors.

Make no mistake, though – Gord is no newcomer. He lived in the east end until he was five, before he and his family moved to Kensington Market, where he grew up. A true Torontonian, he’s witnessed firsthand how small and unique businesses can transform a neighbourhood, not only in the Market, but also the once-gritty-turned-hot-spot Ossington strip. He sees a similar trend taking place in Leslieville and Riverdale.