*Note* The Alberta Ave Trading Post is also a historical business; as it was one of the very first Italian immigrant owned businesses west of Toronto. Much like the recently closed Venetian Barber Shop (the very first Italian owned business this side of central Canada), these also signify an opportunity to transmute our community place & spaces into something even more useful, interesting & accessible.
That being said; and to back up my previous comment about the Atonement Home fire... Upon telling my mother about the Avenue Tradinig Post fire, she remarked what I also already know: that it's no secret to the Italian community here that there has been a degree of organized crime at this business...
At the same time knowing that, I have shopped here before, did so Friday before it burned down (as my family has known the Postetios for decades); and also know that people involved in crime of any sort are still our neighbours, coworkers, family members, friends, et cetera... The police USED to be our community members; but statistically almost 70% of them live outside of the city limits since they centralized downtown.
Once again, trying to provide the other aspects of this story, Rat Creek Press.
i can assure you that that is a long time rumor in the italian community which is entirely false, and only serves to perpetuate stereotypes against italians and fails to recognize that pawn shops are heavily monitored by government and police. as well the photo in the article is not the potestio family, we are much more attractive.
Thank you to writers Jacob and Karen for a swift and timely article. Very impressive! On a personal note, my landline phone number is very close to the Alberta Avenue trading Post phone number and after 20 years, I am still getting the occasional call for the trading post.
*Note* The Alberta Ave Trading Post is also a historical business; as it was one of the very first Italian immigrant owned businesses west of Toronto. Much like the recently closed Venetian Barber Shop (the very first Italian owned business this side of central Canada), these also signify an opportunity to transmute our community place & spaces into something even more useful, interesting & accessible.
That being said; and to back up my previous comment about the Atonement Home fire... Upon telling my mother about the Avenue Tradinig Post fire, she remarked what I also already know: that it's no secret to the Italian community here that there has been a degree of organized crime at this business...
At the same time knowing that, I have shopped here before, did so Friday before it burned down (as my family has known the Postetios for decades); and also know that people involved in crime of any sort are still our neighbours, coworkers, family members, friends, et cetera... The police USED to be our community members; but statistically almost 70% of them live outside of the city limits since they centralized downtown.
Once again, trying to provide the other aspects of this story, Rat Creek Press.
i can assure you that that is a long time rumor in the italian community which is entirely false, and only serves to perpetuate stereotypes against italians and fails to recognize that pawn shops are heavily monitored by government and police. as well the photo in the article is not the potestio family, we are much more attractive.
Thank you to writers Jacob and Karen for a swift and timely article. Very impressive! On a personal note, my landline phone number is very close to the Alberta Avenue trading Post phone number and after 20 years, I am still getting the occasional call for the trading post.