Sharing Our Sheppard

Waseem Zahoor - Treats 'N Eats Desserts

4830 Sheppard Ave. East – Unit 6

It would be fair to say that Waseem - owner of the new Sheppard East Village dessert place, Treats ‘N Eats Desserts - has gone from serving Canada in the military for 25 years, to serving ice cream cones in our commercial area. After spending many years away when serving our country in places like the former Yugoslavia and Israel, he wanted to give back to his community by offering up a great local place for dessert.

"I’m looking to put a smile on peoples’ faces,” says Waseem. Part of the reason he decided to open his own location was so that his family, including his wife and 3 children, could be involved in all parts of the business. “After many years away traveling, I wanted to be close to home and close to my family, every day of the week."

The menu at this local shop includes pretty much anything and everything one might want for a treat. Ice cream by the scoop, soft serve ice cream cones, milkshakes made to order, smoothies, waffles, crepes, cakes, and chicken + waffles, for something more savoury. The list of toppings are an endless display of sprinkles and fun.

This new friendly location is a great addition to Sheppard East Village and a must place to visit when your family is on the lookout for dessert. Visit treatsneats.ca to see the full menu.

Waseem can speak Urdu, Punjabi and English with the addition of staff members who speak many other languages to help serve their multicultural customers. He has done many different things over his lifetime, including cave diving in Europe, but is happiest now scooping a cone of butterscotch ripple ice cream for an eager customer – it happens to be his favourite flavour of ice cream at the moment. But with 23 other flavours on the menu, he might soon change his mind.

Nina Abacan - Bao Mama

4419 Sheppard Ave. East – west of Brimley

One of the newest kids on the block here in Sheppard East Village is the Filipino food outlet Bao Mama. This delicious new casual food service was founded by Nina and her business partner, Elizabeth, in May 2022. Their popular made-from-scratch Bao buns are not available anywhere else in Ontario. Nina, a Red Seal trained chef, created the original recipes and bakes the pillow-like buns daily.

Nina became interested in culinary endeavours when she lived in Alberta with her husband and young daughter for a few years. She became certified as a chef there and returned to Ontario with dreams of opening her own Bao shop.

The catering side of Bao Mama has been a big hit with the staff at Scarborough General Hospital and the U. of T. Scarborough campus. Catering orders can include a variety of both meat and vegetarian Bao buns alongside a large Asian green salad and other shareable menu items. Delivery can be arranged through SkipTheDishes, Uber Eats and DoorDash. 

Nina bakes between 500 - 600 buns every day and all of the other ingredients are made fresh in-house, using local ingredients. Bao Mama loves to hear stories of people that come from far and away to enjoy their food. They have a popular Instagram page @baomama_official and also have a great following on TikTok.

This new food establishment has been a welcome addition to the Sheppard East Village community. Nina works long hours preparing for the hungry customers that she serves; but on a rare day off, she enjoys fishing and watching movies with her family.

It’s nice to see that Nina’s original dream is now coming true.

Malka Gul - Nugget Halal Pizza + Chicken

4820 Sheppard Ave. East – Unit 10

Malka Gul is a busy woman. She and her family are the owners of Nugget Halal Pizza + Chicken located in the large plaza on Sheppard Ave. at Shorting – between Markham and McCowan Roads in Sheppard East Village.

Malka, her husband and son cook everything in the store from scratch, using 100% Halal ingredients. 

This is a family-owned business that has hungry patrons visiting from outside the area to enjoy their delicious pizza, chicken wings, shawarma, chicken nuggets, burgers and side dishes. Malka’s family purchased the business in 2018. As she likes to say, “we create food we’re proud to serve and deliver it fast, with a smile.” The business is about 90% walk-in and 10% delivery.

This busy location does regular pizza catering to local schools, in some cases cooking between 50 - 100 pizza per week. Malka appreciates these regular weekly orders.

They also offer some great Family Combo Specials that include pizzas, wings, dipping sauces + drinks at a good price point. Although many come to enjoy the food because it is Halal, many customers also visit because they just find the food so delicious. Give this great location in Sheppard East Village at try. Visit nuggethalalpizza.ca to see the full menu.

Malka arrived in Canada 22 years ago from Pakistan. She can speak English, French and Urdu. On a rare day off, she enjoys reading books, visiting friends and dining out on Chinese food when celebrating a special occasion. She is currently planning to travel to Morocco for some much-needed time off.

C.K. Yeung - C + K Philatelics

4438 Sheppard Ave. East, Unit 363

Chin Kwok (C.K) began his love for collectable Asian paintings as a young man living in Hong Kong. When he immigrated to Canada, he packed up his collection of stamps, coins and art and eventually started his own business here in Sheppard East Village. His shop is a rare feature of the area - with no other collectable shop anywhere in the vicinity.

C + K Philatelics has been located on the 3rd floor in the Oriental Centre for many years. Chin buys and sells collectables to many of the people in the neighbourhood who enjoy adding to their collections. Many of his stamps are from the era before 1980. He gets a U.S. catalogue every year that allows him to know the value of the items he has in stock.

He also likes to attend stamp shows and auctions, to sell his collection and look around for interesting treasures to sell to his loyal clients. He said there are some very old stamps from the Ming Dynasty era that are worth large sums of money and continue to have added value.

The first adhesive stamp was invented in 1837 by a schoolmaster in England, an idea for which he became knighted.

Collecting is a relaxing hobby that allows people to see the heritage and culture of a particular country before the internet took over that task. He loves to see a customer come in and find that special something they have been searching for to complete a collection.

"I’d like to see the younger generation get interested in stamps and coins as it’s a great way to learn about the heritage of a country,” says Chin.

Chin usually works 7 days a week to allow business people to visit him on the weekend. If he does get time off, he enjoys taking his family out for dinner. He speaks both Chinese and English languages. Stop in soon to see some of the interesting collectables he has on offer. It’s another unique service here in Sheppard East Village.

Dr. Michael Wong - Agincourt Eye Care

4437 Sheppard Ave. E., at Brimley.

A newcomer to Sheppard East Village is Dr. Michael Wong of Agincourt Eye Care. Although there are many places to purchase glasses, Michael is one of the few Optometrists in the area who can conduct eye exams for children, adults and seniors. 

These important annual exams can detect and help prevent eye diseases and vision issues and also help ensure they get corrected. Dr. Wong can also refer a client to a specialist, if they are in need of further examination or treatment.

Agincourt Eye Care does direct billing for clients for many insurance providers to help make the experience seamless. The location – at Brimley & Sheppard - also offers a selection of glasses, sunglasses and contact lenses in a variety of styles, brands and colours.

Dr. Wong is a big fan of polarized sunglasses for driving and other outdoor pursuits. "Once you try them you will wonder why you waited so long," he says.

Michael took an interest in becoming an Optometrist after taking a course during his high school years. “I really enjoy helping people with their eye health; it’s rewarding,” he says.

When he is not at the office, he loves to watch basketball on TV. He is also quite musical and loves to play on his guitar and piano in his spare time. He has some upcoming plans to travel to France in the near future. Michael is fluent in English and Cantonese.

Agincourt Eye Care is a great new addition to the Sheppard East Village. If you haven’t had your eyes checked yet this year, get in touch for an exam. You will enjoy the view.

Yan Zheng - HSBC Bank

4438 Sheppard Ave. East – Main Floor

Yan Zheng is the new manager of the HSBC branch at Sheppard + Brimley, in the Oriental Centre. After spending 7 years working at other HSBC locations, she is enjoying her new role here in the Sheppard East Village. This is a larger branch with about 25 employees and many regular customers.

HSBC stands for The Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation - which first established its business in Hong Kong, helping to finance trade between Europe and Asia. Today HSBC serves 40 million customers, in 63 countries.

Because the bank is so global, many immigrants new to Canada like the international benefits that come with HSBC. Many new Canadians already have an HSBC account set up online from home, so that when they arrive here, their new account is ready to function.

Yan has a great understanding of immigrating to Canada as she did this herself in 2010 - after spending time living in Beijing and New Zealand while furthering her education.

She feels that HSBC really understands all of the differences between global banking and the Canadian banking system. Yan enjoys educating clients on the many benefits that are available to them when they move to Canada. Yan speaks English, Cantonese and Mandarin fluently, which can be a real asset with so many clients from international countries here in the Sheppard East Village community. 

Many of the staff at the location have international backgrounds as well. “We feel appreciated when we can help new Canadians feel at home. When you have been a new immigrant yourself, it can give you a better understanding of what a person might be going through when they arrive here in Canada,” Yan says happily.

She likes staying active by playing tennis, badminton and swimming in her off hours. Yan is married and has a 6-year-old daughter. 

Rajinth Selvaratnam - Shawn Legacy Auto

4900 Sheppard Ave. East – Unit 6

Shawn Legacy Auto is a new addition to Sheppard East Village, opening in August. The business can repair anything mechanical on any make or model of vehicle – they also specialize in auto body work.

With few auto body shops in the area, this is a welcome addition. 

Along with auto body work and maintenance, they also offer painting, towing, inspections and insurance claims services. Their expert painter has a state-of-the-art paint booth. The business also boasts a 3D alignment machine that is very precise. 

The shop is family run and is known for its quick turn-around times, because the shop is staffed by expert mechanics and auto body specialists. Ranjith is a certified mechanic with many years of experience and a great reputation for quality workmanship. He and his wife are owners of the shop. So, if you need some work done in Sheppard East Village, drop in and meet this hardworking family.

Shawn’s Legacy is named after the owner's son, who died tragically in an automobile accident in 2021, at the age of 27. They named the shop in his honour and donate a percentage of their proceeds to charities that support women and children in need, through Shawn’s Legacy Foundation. This has been a difficult time for the family, and they have managed to turn a tragedy into something that helps people in need. They should be admired for their generosity during such a tough time. 

Ranjith is originally from Sri Lanka and can speak Tamil, Sinhalese and English. When he has spare time, he enjoys playing cricket, and spending time out and about with his children and his large group of friends.

Teresa Cheung - Throne House Jade

4438 Sheppard Ave. East, Unit 368

For nearly 20 years, Teresa and her husband Charlie have been importing jade, gemstones and other artistic jewelry from Taiwan, Hong Kong and China. Their Throne House Jade shop can be found in the Oriental Centre, right here in Sheppard East Village.

Teresa is proud of the beautiful selection of jade, crystals and gemstones she has on offer. The importance of jade stone in Chinese culture is reflected in its status as a symbol of goodness, preciousness and beauty. Jade is also widely considered a stone of good fortune, so it is often given as a gift. Teresa’s boutique is known for its large selection of traditional jade accessories. The store has many beautifully presented glass display cases with a variety of designs to choose from.

Regular customers of the store often just drop back in to say ‘hello’ when they are in the area. “Many loyal customers have now become our friends,” Teresa likes to say. She has many people coming by to purchase a piece to celebrate a special occasion like an anniversary or a birthday. 

Teresa loves living in Canada because it is so multicultural and has great economic stability. She is proud to call Canada her home. She speaks Cantonese and English to help her customers feel at home. Throne House Jade is another example of a unique service found in the Sheppard East Village.

Teresa and her family like to dine out on special occasions and to celebrate milestones. Drop by her store next time you are in the neighbourhood.

Abdullah Rahman - Fashion Unlimited

4800 Sheppard Ave. E. Unit 123

Abdullah is the owner of Fashion Unlimited, located in the bustling section of Sheppard East Village near local favourite food service businesses Babu and Silver Spoon.

Fashion Unlimited is a wholesaler of imported men’s, women’s and children’s clothing. They have a good selection of casual and dressier items, with a small retail area at the front of the store and a larger wholesale section in the back.

Abdullah prides himself on importing good quality clothing that can be offered at a low price point. Alongside the hoodies and denim, he also has a selection of prom dresses. He has many local retail customers, along with wholesale customers interested in larger quantities.

“Many of my customers buy my clothing and put their own designs and logos on them. I always try to give our local community a low price point.”

Abdullah emigrated to Canada from Bangladesh. His background in accounting has served him well since he began his business importing and wholesaling clothing. He can speak both Bengali and English.

“Canada has been a great help to my life. It helped me build myself up and I consider it to be the best country in the world.”

Abdullah has three children attending university. They all participate in helping their community by making sandwiches for the homeless on a weekly basis - which makes him proud.

His favourite hobby is playing badminton with friends - both outside and inside during the colder weather. He also enjoys reading historical books, when he has some down time.

If you’re looking for some good quality clothing at a great price, give Fashion Unlimited a try. It’s another reason why Sheppard East Village is a destination area not to be missed.

Fil Delfuoco - RBC Royal Bank

5125 Sheppard Ave. E. 

When you meet Fil Delfuoco, the branch manager of the Royal Bank location at Markham + Sheppard, you will be meeting a long-standing member of the Royal Bank family. She has been with the organization since 1983.

Fil really enjoys the client interaction at her large RBC branch. It’s a big retail location and there are lots of face-to-face interactions with their long-standing clientele.

“I love my job,” says Fil, smiling.

“We see multiple generations here at the branch, as our loyal clients bring in family members, because of the stellar service they have received. I’m proud of that. With some clients banking here for over 40 years, they often introduce us to relatives, who get the same kind of personal service.”

The branch stayed open to staff during the lockdown but had to move to a virtual platform to keep everyone safe.

The branch still does many virtual meetings with clients who are located out of the area. They also assist international students who need help, being so far from home.

“We also have investment partners that assist our clients as they plan their futures.”

With an Italian background, it’s no surprise that her hobbies include gardening, canning tomatoes and getting out for long walks. “I am most proud of my children, grandchildren and of course, my husband,” Fil says, smiling.

When she goes out for lunch in the Sheppard East Village, she likes to visit Markham Station, a local favourite, and order the all-day breakfast.

Simon Ying - Rose of Sharon Flowers + Plants

4211 Sheppard Ave. E. Unit A112

Simon Ying is the owner and operator of Rose of Sharon Flowers + Plants, located at the intersection of Sheppard and Midland, in Sheppard East Village. He opened his store in 2016 to serve the surrounding area with lovely flower arrangements for special occasions.

There are many reasons why people buy flowers: including birthdays, weddings and funerals. But whatever the reason, Simon likes to please his customers with fresh and colourful arrangements that lift people’s spirits.

“It’s a nice feeling to give people joy. Flowers are always a great way to say you are thinking of someone,” says Simon, smiling.

Simon goes to the wholesale markets to get the freshest and prettiest flowers he can find. He also has a selection of house plants to choose from.

When asked what his favourite flowers are, Simon quickly answered “I really do like long-stemmed red roses.”

With an ability to speak Cantonese, Mandarin and English, he can help his multicultural customers get the floral arrangements they are looking for. He was busy during Covid19 with some of his customers requiring funeral arrangements, but he likes to think his flowers let people feel a bit better during such a difficult time.

As a kind gesture, his shop offers free delivery for funeral arrangements to local Scarborough, Markham and Richmond Hill funeral homes. “Our goal is to help families and friends find peace of mind with our flowers - to help them during their grieving period.”

Rose of Sharon has an online ordering system or, if customers prefer, they can call the store to get extra assistance. Simon chose the name of his store from a flower that he read about in the Bible.

Simon came to Canada when he was a teenager and has become a fan of the snow and cold by learning to ski, as well as hike in nature, when he has time.

If you have a special occasion coming up - why not give Rose of Sharon Flowers a try? It’s another place that makes Sheppard East Village a great place to visit.

Victoria Xu - Victoria Xu Law

4438 Sheppard Ave. East, Unit 373

Victoria Xu has been involved in family, real estate, employment and immigration law, as well as wills and estates, since 2015. Her office is located in the Oriental Centre here in Sheppard East Village, with her business signage viewable from the street.

Victoria is a mediator, accredited by OFAM and FDRIO, who specializes in resolving client issues through mediation. She has also successfully facilitated litigation at various levels of courts and tribunals, when necessary.

She is experienced in uncontested divorces and understands the emotional toll it can take on a family. Although some decisions and situations are upsetting, she feels she can be supportive to her clients as part of the process.

“As difficult as some of these client issues can be, I love what I do and feel I handle myself in a professional manner at all times. I have facilitated many mediations that have had a fair outcome for all,” explains Victoria.

Victoria was born in China and emigrated to Canada in 2006. She was a teacher in China before she moved to Canada. She went back to school here to upgrade her education and now holds multiple degrees. She actively participates in law association activities, to continue to keep connected and up to date.

Although her business slowed down a little during the pandemic, she is busy with numerous real estate sales as clients are buying properties for long term investments.

Victoria came to Canada with her husband and young son and added a second son to her family soon after they arrived. She loves to run with her children for exercise. Her two teenagers both attend high school.

“I love to visit many of the local restaurants for a good meal,” says Victoria, when asked about the area.

In her spare time, she likes to shop, take family walks, socialize with other families and watch movies. She can speak Mandarin and English, which can be helpful for her clients.

If you are in the Sheppard East Village and looking for legal assistance, stop by the Oriental Centre and say hello to Victoria.

Muskan Sharma - Diapers + Kidswear

4800 Sheppard Ave. East, Unit 121

Diapers + Kidswear is located in a popular strip mall near Mona’s Roti and Babu in Sheppard East Village. This one-stop-shop for diapers for babies and adults offers great customer service in a caring environment. This is one of two locations.

“We specialize in cotton and plastic diapers for babies and children as well as incontinence products for adults,” remarks Muskan Sharma on of the employees that helps customers make good choices. “We carry baby accessories as well. We sell only good quality goods. It is a big location divided out for children and adult products.”

Muskan has been working in Sheppard East Village for over a year and a half. She enjoys assisting with expecting mothers and fathers as well as seniors and their caregivers.

“We sell 100% cloth diapers for babies which some parents prefer. It does help save on costs and the environment and it is softer on the skin,” says Muskan.

The store also offers counselling for people needing incontinence products. Muskan helps them solve their leakage issues and gives them helpful advice to stay dry and comfortable. It can be a sensitive topic for people, and she strives to give caring and sensitive advice. Muskan is both one on one with customers and also does the marketing for the social media accounts.

“It really does feel good to be able to help people feel comfortable. We often give out free samples so people are getting what they really need.”

The Covid pandemic did affect the store but they do offer delivery of their products which has been helpful for customers that haven’t wanted to leave home.

Muskan was born in India and came to Canada at 19 years of age. She originally came by herself but had cousins and friends to show her all the amazing things that Canada had to offer.

In her spare time, she likes to listen to music and play the guitar by learning new songs and chords on YouTube. She loves to explore and travel in Ontario with recent visits to Blue Mountain and Niagara Falls.

She can speak English, Tamil, Punjabi, and Hindi which helps with the store’s multicultural customer base here in the Sheppard East Village. Just another speciality shop that offers a great customer experience for people of all ages.

Ebrahim Jahangiri - SIB Sport

4385 Sheppard Ave. East, Unit 11

Ebrahim is the proud owner of SIB Sport located in Sheppard East Village. His store has been a labour of love for many years as he continues to educate customers on proper clothing and gear for outdoor adventure.

He first became known in the area for his inflatable fishing boats and gear and has since added other types of outdoor equipment such as ice fishing, and camping gear to his two-level location.

“I like to stock the best brands for my customers,” he says.

Ebrahim likes to say that his many customers have now become friends, as well. As an immigrant who arrived in Canada in 2006 with his two sons, he can’t say enough about how much he loves living in Canada.

“I can’t put into words how much I appreciate Canada. In my country I didn’t have a life. I was very limited in what I was able to do there.”

Ebrahim works 6 days a week helping people of all walks of life gear up for fishing and other outdoor pursuits. He also has a good selection of camping gear, fishing tackle, water-proof clothing, as well as some stand-up paddle boards, which has recently become a popular water sport.

On his one day off a week he likes to put his own boat in the water and, you guessed it, do a little fishing. He has over 50 years of experience beginning in Iran with a simple line to fish for the many different types of fish available there.

“You have to have the right gear and the proper clothing to fish, especially in the winter on the ice.”

Ebrahim speaks English, Kurdish and Arabic which is helpful with the variety of customers he has visiting his store. If you have ever wanted to try out an outdoor sport for the first time, visit SIB sports in Sheppard East Village and Ebrahim will get you suited up.

Nicolas Borg - Amadeus Choir

4386 Sheppard Ave. East, Unit N

Nicolas Borg knew at a young age that singing was going to be his thing. And now, as general director of the famous Amadeus Choir here in Sheppard East Village, Nicolas wears a lot of different hats. He is the liaison between all of the different departments including the Board of Directors, the membership, the artistic director and the general public.

“A choir experience is important for the community. To keep connected to something. But we have adapted to keep it going in a whole new way,” says Nicolas.

The Amadeus choir has been enlivening Toronto’s arts community for 48 years. The award-winning Amadeus Choir is a semi-professional mass choir of auditioned voices from all parts of the GTA and surrounding areas. The Choir champions the best of choral music and premieres works of Canadian and international composers through self-produced concerts.

The choir itself has about 70 semi-professional singers in its membership, including a few emerging young singers that come to the group through sponsorship.

The Amadeus Choir is proud to take a leading role in educating the next generation of choral musicians by providing workshops for conductors, composers, and students. The Choir is known for its strong support of Canadian music, and regularly commissions work from established and emerging Canadian composers. The singer’s range in age from university students to seniors. “It really all comes down to the joy of music,” exclaims Nicolas. During Covid they shifted their practices to an online format which happily worked out better than first anticipated. “It brought a whole new life to the choir,” he says.

The Choir has recently begun to gather in person, safely, to sing again as a group. The singers were excited to be back singing together in the same room.

Nicolas studied music all of his life and has this to say about the importance of music; “To me, music is the expression of the soul. The most clear and direct way to influence people’s hearts. You don’t even need to know exactly what’s going on to be affected by it.”

“As a participant I didn’t expect it to be such a powerful experience. To hear adult singers making that much sound with just their voices is truly remarkable.”

When asked what his favourite opera is Nicolas had this to say; “Tosca by Puccini, it’s a gut punch and I saw it as a child and it literally shook my cells. And from that point on I was smitten.”

The Choir is always recruiting new singers for the wide variety of music they sing, so do get in touch if you think you might like to audition to this local treasure here in Sheppard East Village.

Basir Sher - Hajjy + Sons Bespoke Custom Tailors

5089 Sheppard Ave. E.

It is no surprise that Basir showed up for his interview wearing a spectacular double-breasted bespoke suit with wide stripes and a colourful silk lining.

Basir is one of three sons of Hajjy, the local custom Afghan tailor located in Sheppard East Village. Together, the sons and their father have created a bespoke custom tailoring business. The word ‘bespoke’ itself, officially means ‘like no other’, and has become everything that their business has come to stand for.

A bespoke suit from Hajjy + Sons is truly a one-of-a-kind creation. From fabric selection, design, measurements, consultation and hand-stitched finishings that complete these beautiful garments that are truly treasured by their owners.

Basir himself has somewhere between 25 and 34 suits of his own creation and tends to wear a suit to work each day. He graduated university as a civil engineer but always had a love for his dad’s alteration and tailoring business while he was growing up. He likes to say that engineering helped him with precision and design in his current position.

The company has a whole production team that helps with each garment. After a consultation there are numerous measurements to consider as well as fabric choices and the look and feel of the final product. Some customers have requested a lining using their own artwork which can make a suit even more personal. The shop is a special addition to Sheppard East Village.

When Besir isn’t working hard at the store he likes to play sports including basketball and soccer, as well as keeping busy with projects around his house. He recently got married, and you guessed it, had two suits created for the occasion. A tuxedo and a second suit for the reception. We can only imagine how amazing those suits must have looked on his big day.

Helen Chhangur - Hakim Optical

5085 Sheppard Ave. East

You can’t miss the big, bright Hakim Optical store that Helen manages at Markham & Sheppard. This great location is easy to get to using public transit and provides ample free parking.

“I like to think we offer very personal service at a great price. We sell two pairs of glasses for what other places may charge for one pair. Some of our lenses are made on site,” remarks Helen. “We serve an amazing multicultural group of customers. There are two of us in the store and we always help people look stylish and comfortable with their new glasses.”

Helen feels that she is honest with people about what looks good - and what doesn’t. She truly wants you to look - and see - your best when you leave the Hakim store. That is her motto.

Helen has an optician who works alongside her and they believe that the atmosphere they have created in their location is special. They are happy to adjust a pair of glasses for anyone who comes in. These small gestures demonstrate how kindness continues to keep Sheppard East Village a nice place to visit.

“We aim to please. It sometimes does take a little bit of patience, but we like to please everyone who comes through our door.”

Helen moved to Canada from Trinidad when she was a teenager. In her spare time, she likes to bake [chocolate cake and cheesecake with fresh fruit are two of her specialities], listen to music and watch movies.

“I am very blessed and happy with my life,” she likes to say.

“Please drop into Hakim Optical and see for yourself why it’s a great place to pick up your next pair of glasses (or two)”.

Rob Willitts - Canadian Tire

4630 Sheppard Ave. East

Rob is the general manager and Canadian Tire dealer - in their large, modern facility at McCowan & Sheppard. Rob grew up in Toronto but was a Canadian Tire dealer in Winnipeg who came back to the location in Sheppard East Village in 2019. He has become a Board member of the Business Improvement Area.

If you get a chance to meet Rob, it’s fair to say you will not forget his name. His staff decided to get rid of name tags and each have their names monogrammed right on their shirts. He likes the personal touch and so do his customers.

Rob likes to say, “I have been doing this since 1999. I was in Winnipeg and loved it there. Then this store was offered to me and I decided to move back. It has turned out far better than I expected. I am happy here. The staff are great, many of them speak multiple languages. The customers are wonderful.”

Rob grew up not far from Sheppard East Village. “I looked at the area and saw great potential. It was all fields here when I was a kid. The changes have been phenomenal. I am enjoying my work now more than I have in years.” Rob says happily.

“I run my business, by running around.”

Rob feels it's very important for a manager to be on the floor - talking to staff; checking in with the automotive department; speaking with the cashiers to see how they are. He likes to say, “I don’t know how you can run a business if you aren’t on the floor. I get my 12,000 steps a day, most of them during working hours.”

“Car oil is the number one seller here, but the store has thousands of great products and seasonal items that people return for again and again. People are doing more DIY jobs to make their homes nicer and more comfortable and we can help with all of that. And the store is so centrally located for both transit and cars.”

Rob also mentions the national Canadian Tire Jumpstart initiative - a charity that raises funds for kids who can’t afford sports. He is happy to see that the funds raised locally are used locally. It may be a young athlete who needs hockey equipment or a local team that needs funding. Rob likes the spirit of the initiative that does so much good.

During the shutdown, his 3 adult children were all back at home and he says they lived like families did 50 years ago. The conversations around the dinner table included many lively discussions.

Make a trip to the Sheppard East Village Canadian Tire location, for your next home improvement or auto project. You may run into Rob walking around the store.

Abdullah Mohammad - Hyderabad Palace Catering + Takeout

4810 Sheppard Ave. E., Unit 208

Hyderabad Palace is a popular ‘take out’ place, located next door to Babu’s in Sheppard East Village. It features authentic delicacies of Hyderabad, named after a famous royal landmark in the old country. Abdullah Mohammad owns this popular location with his brother, where many local customers drop by daily for tea.

“Tea is our culture. I have customers that come here twice a day for tea. Especially now that more people are working from home, they like to take a short break and visit with other people. Our famous tea is steeped for an hour and a half with milk and sugar then served in a small cup. We import it from India so people can enjoy the authentic flavour from back home,” Abdullah says proudly.

When it comes to cooking the delicious food, Abdullah’s sister-in-law is the chef here and serves up most of the traditional dishes. Their most popular dish is biryani, offered with lamb, chicken, veal and mutton, depending on the day.

“The people from my city like to come and enjoy the flavours they remember from home. This is not ‘curry in a hurry’,” Abdullah likes to say.

Hyderabad also offers many great catering options with large party trays including curry, rice and desserts. Just another great reason to consider Hyderabad Palace for your next special occasion.

“I am even learning to cook, which is nice,” says Abdullah.

Abdullah was born in India and came here in 2014. “I am enjoying many more cultures here in Canada and learning so much from customers and new friends.”

Abdullah works 7 days a week, including holidays. He often puts in a 12-hour day and, although a busy man, still finds time to give back to his local community. Hyderabad cooks meals for 200 seniors, two days a week, for a local community centre. It takes great effort to cook these meals, but he feels good helping people in need.

On a rare day off, he likes to go to Brampton and play cricket with his friends. He also likes to do bodybuilding to stay healthy. If he goes out for dinner, he really enjoys many of the Chinese food options in Sheppard East Village, which he had never experienced back home.

Drop by Hyderabad Palace for a cup of tea and pick up something delicious for dinner.

Andrew Chang - Home Karaoke

4559 Sheppard Ave. East

Andrew Chang is the founder and owner of Home Karaoke, Canada’s first Karaoke store, located between Brimley and McCowan. The store is a great example of a ‘destination’ location in Sheppard East Village.

For over 28 years, Andrew has designed, manufactured and sold many different types of Karaoke machines and accessories. Since the early days, he has learned a lot of things about how to create an entertaining experience for his customers.

It is interesting that the Japanese word ‘Karaoke’ translates to ‘invisible orchestra’ in English. Andrew has a popular YouTube channel that can educate customers about everything there is to know about the machines, the music and the experience of karaoke.

Andrew recognizes that the business has changed over the years and has noted that different cultures enjoy Karaoke in different ways. He has travelled to many places, including Japan, Malaysia, Philippines, China, Taiwan, Hong Kong and Korea, for research and the development of his machines and related products.

With updated technology, his products can help a customer source thousands of songs almost instantly.

Andrew wasn’t really a singer himself until he had to demonstrate the machine at a community booth. The first song he learned to sing was ‘Love Me Tender’ by Elvis Presley.

“Karaoke is for singers and music lovers. My motto is that life is meant to be enjoyed. Don’t take things too seriously. Singing can help with that. There is scientific proof that singing is an internal massage of all your organs. It’s good for the heart,” Andrew says.

“We are seeing more customers as people continue to stay home and look for new things to do. I am hearing from more and more younger customers - who want to sing ‘Adele’,” he says smiling.

Andrew was born in China and speaks Cantonese, Mandarin and English. He enjoys Japanese food because it offers a balanced diet– and likes to drink a little beer – both available right here in Sheppard East Village.

“I am so proud of being a Canadian. You will never find another country with this kind of multicultural mix of people. We respect each other. To see how we all need to live, just listen to the words from ‘Imagine’ by John Lennon. Or better yet, sing it out loud!”

Melissa Unidad - Unitax Inc.

4438 Sheppard Ave. East, Unit 397

Melissa is one of many Sheppard East Village members located in the Oriental Centre at Brimley & Sheppard. She operates a financial planning and tax service for her clients and would like to build her practise over the coming years.

Melissa explains, “I do tax preparation - both personal and business, U.S. taxes, business services, corporation, HST and GST filings. I am also a financial advisor, so I am really a one-stop shop for my many local clients. The foundation of my business is exceptional customer service.”

Melissa feels one of the main strengths of her business is that she returns people’s phone calls. She is amazed how much clients appreciate this small gesture, whether at tax time or any other time of the year.

With her husband and son, Melissa came to Canada from the Philippines and has many customers with a similar background. That being said, she also has customers from all around the globe - another reason she likes being located in Sheppard East Village.

“I like getting to know people and they trust me to answer any questions they might have regarding their finances. They put a lot of trust in my abilities and I don’t take that for granted,” Melissa says.

Melissa enjoys ballroom dancing, in her spare time. She likes the music, the energy and the joy of a dance party. She also knows her way around a tennis court. When she dines out in Sheppard East Village, her two favourite restaurant choices are Bistro Manila and Asian Legend.

Kerry Liu - CIBC Glen Watford Branch

4256 Sheppard Ave. East

Kerry Liu is Manager of Client Advice at one of the largest CIBC branches in Canada, located in the west end of Sheppard East Village. Its 33 employees offer a wide range of financial services - including day-to-day banking needs, investments, lending and wealth protection - and it has built up a wide following among local residents, businesses and students.

Although this may be a large branch, it offers many thoughtful additions to help their customers have a great banking experience each time they visit. When COVID-19 hit, the branch set up an outdoor tent to keep their clients covered from inclement weather and offered drinking water for clients having to wait in line, for social distancing. The branch also increased the limit on debit cards to make purchasing contact-free.

Kerry feels it’s important to mention “we always make sure our seniors and customers with disabilities don’t have to wait in line. We also offer free banking for international students, to help them become successful.”

Kerry moved to Canada from Shanghai in 2009. His Cantonese, Mandarin and English abilities help him communicate well with the multicultural customers who come to this location.

If you are looking for Kerry at lunch hour, you will likely find him at Peking Duck Kitchen, his favourite local restaurant. He often sees many of their staff come into his branch to use CIBC services.

Kerry likes the fact that there are some new condos going up in the area and is happy to see more affordable housing being offered in the Sheppard East Village area.

In his off hours, he enjoys spending time with his wife and 2 children and likes to stay fit playing tennis.

Virginia East - Royal Canadian Legion Centennial Branch 614

100 Salome Drive

The Royal Canadian Legion was founded by veterans in 1925, to help support veterans and their families. This membership-based community group also donates funds to the local hospital, as part of their mandate. Virginia East began attending the Royal Canadian Legion when her son was in the army.

Virginia has held many different volunteer positions within the organization since she became a member at Branch 614, a long-standing pillar of the Sheppard East Village community.

On the main floor of the Legion, there is a pub-style restaurant that has become a great place to meet friends. On the second floor, there is a large event space that has seen its share of weddings, dances and community events, for members of the Legion as well as for non-members. There is plenty of free parking which makes it a nice experience for guests.

Virginia would often help cook, clean and serve at these events, as part of the Ladies’ Auxiliary, where she served as Treasurer for 10 years.

When reflecting on her many years of service, Virginia likes to say “It makes me feel good to help others, while I am healthy and able to do so. I ask for nothing in return.”

Although veterans attend Legion events, the Branch is also open on Tuesdays for local community members to drop by for lunch and listen to some live entertainment. Please check the website for updated information.

Not only does Virginia spend countless hours at the Legion but her husband, Stuart, has also been a vital part of the organization, serving in many different roles over the past 30 years. What a special couple - you may have never heard about - right here in Sheppard East Village.

Virginia is originally from Peru. She can speak Spanish, French and English which can be helpful with a multitude of cultures visiting this Legion Branch. She also enjoys such outdoor recreation as walking, running and cycling. Virginia and her husband have two adult children.

Pat Cho - Asian Caregivers

4438 Sheppard Ave. E. #357

Pat Cho is the founder of Asian Caregivers, a service in Sheppard East Village located in the Oriental Centre that connects seniors online, so they can find someone to help them continue to stay in their own homes.

The idea was sparked by Pat’s own mother, who wanted to stay in her home for as long as possible. She wanted to live in familiar surroundings and continue to garden and enjoy the food and culture she was accustomed to. 

“It makes me feel good that I am able to help other people solve a problem that I had myself,” says Pat.

She sees her business as a way for adult children to honour their parents. “Humanity is quality of life,'' continues Pat. 

Pat likes to say that she has brought the high-tech world together with the softer skills of finding a great person to care for a loved one. She uses the words “when we need someone to just be there” to describe the meaning behind her services.

Caregivers listed on her site can include languages they speak and any special skills - to help people narrow down their search - so a family member who is looking can choose from a number of suitable candidates. Her site can often have viewers globally.

Pat is a Registered Nurse and manages the website for Asian Caregivers in her off hours. The site often has about 100 caregivers looking for work. For nominal fees, anyone can access the site for a week, a month or an unlimited amount of time. Caregivers that want to be added to the list must be legally able to work in Canada. 

Pat was born in South America and has lived in England, Vancouver and now Toronto. She is from a large family of 7 kids and she considers herself a service entrepreneur. 

Harry Kulasegaram - All Seasons Insurance Brokerage

4865 Sheppard Ave. E., Unit 2

After years of experience as a top agent with a major insurance company, Harry created All Seasons Insurance Brokerage - his own company that has been located in Sheppard East Village ever since. All Seasons team of professional agents provides auto, home and commercial insurance.

Harry feels there are three characteristics someone needs to be good at selling insurance: they should be optimistic, honest and hard-working. This way of recruiting has allowed All Seasons to grow steadily, with an increasing number of permanent staff serving clients.

Harry and his team prefer to meet clients in person, because it allows them to give advice that better suits their client’s needs. As a licensed broker, he doesn’t have to sell any one type of insurance; he shops around for just the right coverage for each client. This is a great benefit for his clients when compared to some banks, for instance, that may only sell one brand of insurance. 

“Good service is good business,'' says Harry.

Harry enjoys gardening and is quite proud of the roses in his backyard. His two young children have to be careful not to run over his flowers when they play soccer. He also likes to work out at the gym and travel to Walt Disney World Resort to celebrate special birthdays.

Harry loves the Sheppard East Village area for all of its great food and cultural offerings. Having moved to Canada from Sri Lanka with his family, he speaks both English and Tamil.

Mary Ann San Juan - Filipino Centre

4395 Sheppard Ave. East

After many years downtown, The Filipino Centre relocated to the Sheppard East Village in 2018. The Filipino Centre is designed to allow people from the Philippines to share in their culture and meet other people with similar values.

Mary Ann likes the location because it’s so visible and many people will see the sign every day. Many groups tour the facilities and rent the space for events, meetings and special occasions.

She has been a very dedicated volunteer for many years, keeping the facility running smoothly. She was excited to get seven full-time employees through a government program and she also has high-school student volunteers that help tutor students who require a little extra help with their studies - at no cost.

Mary Ann has a long history of working in children’s libraries, so it is no surprise that she is a big reader.  She is still a big user of libraries and rarely actually owns a book. When people come to her house and ask where her books are, she always says, “all over the city.” 

What you might not know about Mary Ann is that she excels in dragon boat racing. After beginning with a recreational team, she worked hard and eventually ended up on a competitive team of 20 rowers. She travels with the team and has the unique ability to row on either side of the boat - which makes her even more in demand. 

Kevin Wattam - Food Basics

5085 Sheppard Avenue East

For a guy who is surrounded by food all day, it’s funny to think that Kevin Wattam doesn’t cook. 

Kevin is the manager of Food Basics, the only ‘mainstream’ supermarket in Sheppard East Village. He works 6 days a week, managing 75 employees. His goal each day is to create the best shopping experience possible, at a lower price.

It would be fair to say there is nothing basic about how Kevin runs the store. He enjoys the cultural mix of both the customers and the employees at Food Basics - he works hard to make sure they are all happy. He considers himself to be even-keeled, which always helps.

He started his current job as a part-time stock boy. And now Kevin manages this Food Basics location.

Kevin is glad he gets great support from the head office when he wants to make a change or improve anything in the store. “They really listen to what our needs are, they are always open to new suggestions. I like that. It makes for a better store for everyone,” he says.

“Bananas are the most popular item we sell - but I’m an orange guy,” Kevin says, smiling.

Kevin lives with his wife, three daughters and a whole bunch of pets: 2 dogs, 1 rabbit and 5 cats. He likes to take his holidays with family in the summer - and swim where the water is fresh and clean, at a cottage near Sauble Beach. 

Jessie Jesus - Scarborough Rouge Physiotherapy

4830 Sheppard Ave. E., Units 3 + 5

Jessie Jesus arrived in Canada from the Philippines in 2000. He came here with a background in the sciences and started out as a resident in a physiotherapy clinic. 

Jessie is now the proud owner of Scarborough Rouge Physiotherapy clinic in Sheppard East Village. His full-service clinic offers a number of health-related services: physiotherapy, massage, chiropractic, chiropody, acupuncture and orthotics. With a staff of specialists, his facility is a one-stop shop for all of the health-related services his clients need.

“We are happy we are helping people,” says Jessie.

His clinic is open long hours, to service clients when they want to come in. The clinic caters to a large number of clients who are referrals from happy customers and the clinic has staff that speak many different languages.

Jessie commutes from Peterborough, where he lives with his family and kids, working long hours to keep his customers feeling good.

He likes to play tennis when he has time and he watches every Raptors game that he can. His favourite lunch place is Mona’s Roti, also in Sheppard East Village.

Adel Metyas - German Star Motors

41 Milner Avenue

“I put myself in my customer’s shoes,” Adel likes to say.

Adel Metyas is the owner of German Star Motors in Sheppard East Village. His company specializes in import/export of luxury vehicles. He exports about 300 vehicles a week to the U.S. dealership market.

He also has some pre-owned vehicles for sale, with options for financing.

Adel’s business is a true family affair. Both of his adult sons and his wife, a human resources specialist, help out with the business.

He flies south of the border with his sons on a weekly basis - to sell cars and trucks to dealerships all over the United States. His biggest sellers are Ford 150 trucks and Mercedes and Range Rover SUVs.

Adel takes very good care of his customers and feels this is the reason for the success of his business.

Being part of a family business allows Adel to chat about the company and to hear everyone’s opinions on all aspects of the business at family BBQs and gatherings. 

Adel moved to Canada from Egypt in 1971 and now has a large contingent of family members here in Canada. He spent his youth in Scarborough and loves the area he grew up in.

Gladys Yung - BMO Branch

4271 Sheppard Ave. East

Gladys Yung is the manager of the BMO branch, located at Glen Watford and Sheppard, that was renovated and expanded to give customers a more spacious and professional atmosphere.

This BMO branch in Sheppard East Village offers a full range of services, with financial and investment advisors available on-site.

Gladys is happy to see that many original customers are now bringing their second and even third generations to the branch. 

“We also see a large contingent of international students using this location because they can set up their account at a BMO in Hong Kong, or other cities, and use this branch to do all of their banking after they arrive in Canada. It makes it all seamless,” explains Gladys.

When Gladys is not working, she enjoys golfing, skiing and playing mah-jong with friends. She lives in the area with her husband and 2 university-aged children. 

Her favourite type of cuisine to enjoy in Sheppard East Village would have to be the delicious dumplings. 

Justin Lee - CarMax Tire & Automotive

4800 Sheppard Ave. E. Units 106+107

“Building trust is the best way to be a success in the automotive maintenance business,” remarks Justin Lee.

Justin is the owner and manager of CarMax Tire and Automotive, located near the Service Ontario outlet, in a strip mall in Sheppard East Village.

His shop can service many brands of domestic and imported vehicles. It is a one-stop location for all automotive service needs, with great packages for routine maintenance, oil changes and tire services.

His shop prides itself on having a crew of good mechanics, which is hard to come by these days with so much automotive work being done electronically.

He has many long-standing customers who travel to his shop to have their vehicle serviced despite the distance. They come back because of the service that CarMax provides. 

He considers himself lucky to have his wife working alongside him to help with customer reception - and making it a true family business. 

Justin what born in Hong Kong and grew up in Toronto. He has a young son who likes to come by and visit the shop, but has big dreams of being a pilot. 

Justin likes to visit Markham Station Restaurant for their all-day breakfast options, when he heads out for lunch in Sheppard East Village.

He works 6 days a week but, on his day off, he likes to relax and go power-boating on Lake Simcoe.

Paul Yu - Tokyo Bakery

4385 Sheppard Ave. E., Unit 7

If you want to see the most beautiful delicacies you have ever experienced, be sure to visit Tokyo Bakery in Sheppard East Village, at 4385 Sheppard East, Unit 7. There is a saying that we ‘eat with the eyes first’ - and this comes into play daily at this popular shop for all things sweet.

Pastry Chef Paul Yu took over this established bakery here in 2007, after emigrating from Hong Kong. He kept many of the original recipes but also added many additional options in a gorgeous array of colours, including many based on French cuisine. Paul is thankful for his bakery manager who takes care of the non-bakery side of the business.

The level of detail Paul bakes into his confections is extraordinary and the best part is they taste as wonderful as they look. Besides wedding and birthday cakes with custom writing - in any language - the Bakery also creates petite little treats in a variety of shapes and flavours. Each one is its own small treasure.

When asked about a special situation regarding an order he said, “I once made a custom cake for a customer I had never met. She put in the order when I wasn’t here. When she came back to pick it up, she waited for me to return from my errands so she could give me a hug. That made me feel good about what I do.”

On his day off, Paul likes to play soccer. He is a married father of two teenage children. He likes to travel to places he has never been and closes the shop at least once a year to take a much-needed holiday.

He makes so many cakes for other people and brings so much joy; perhaps on his birthday this year, someone can bake one for him?

Alice Mau - CCM Centre

4438 Sheppard Ave. E. #3107

Alice manages the administrative and operational requirements of the CCM Centre located on the 3rd floor of the Oriental Centre, at the northeast corner of Sheppard East and Brimley Road.

The CCM Centre is a community hub offering many different types of programs and outreach for men, women, children, youth, and families. Offerings include art, music, bible and parenting classes, summer camps, and even a men’s running group that trains for an annual marathon. Many classes assist new immigrants to learn about cultural differences that can occur as they begin a new life in Canada. The Centre receives donations from individuals, churches and other generous organizations and this enables CCM to offer so many courses and classes each week.

People from all walks of life are welcome to drop by and learn about the programs and classes. There are many different languages spoken within the Centre, including Mandarin, Cantonese and English.

Alice is a kind and caring individual who has worked at the Centre for many years, along with her colleagues and the Centre Director, Winnie Ng.

She likes the fact that CCM has a specific group for men. “Men have a harder time talking about their emotions; and our group helps them meet new friends and enjoy fellowship.”

When Alice has spare time, she does plenty of volunteer work - providing important outreach to seniors in the area. “Sometimes they just need help paying a bill or getting a computer to work and when you can assist them, they are very grateful,” says Alice.

Alice has four grown-up children, as well as a very special golden retriever named Coco that she enjoys taking for daily walks.

If you are looking for a bit of company in the near future or you want to learn something new, drop into the CCM Centre and make a new friend.

Derek Hughes - Advance Auto Detailing + Rust Proofing

5070 Sheppard Ave. E., Rear

“Is that my car?”

This is probably the most satisfying question you can ask Derek when you pick up your car from his shop. He really hopes you won’t recognize it - when his team has finished doing their magic.

Derek and his business partner own Advance Auto Detailing and Rust Proofing. Their company is located behind Superior Tire - at 5070 Sheppard Ave. East. Derek’s extensive knowledge of chemistry can return even the dirtiest vehicle to its former glory.

Advance Auto has seen it all - and cleaned it all – using some very effective products.

A visit to Advance Auto is never a fast fix. A vehicle is left for the day - so it can be properly cleaned and dried before pickup. They actually prep a car before they begin to clean it, which is different from many other shops.

“The funny thing is, smokers come in and we get the smoke smell out; then they come to pick up their vehicles and they light up a smoke,” Derek says, laughing. His business partner Dana, a proud Newfoundlander, is a vital part of Advance Auto’s success. Derek feels very grateful to have a partner he gets along with so well and who provides so much support and service to their customers.

Derek was born and raised in Scarborough. He has been providing custom auto detailing and rust proofing in Sheppard East Village since 1990.

Drop by and leave your car for the day. It just may be hard to recognize when you pick it up from Advance Auto Detailing & Rust Proofing.

Danny Wong - Superior Tire + Auto

5070 Sheppard Ave. E.

Danny Wong has worn many hats since he began his career at Superior Tire in Sheppard East Village in 2001. He started off as a technician, then became the manager of the store and is now the owner of the business.

Superior Tire + Auto does all types of tire work, as well as repairs to any make or model of car or truck.  The reason they continue to be so successful can be attributed to their warm customer service, their wide range of options and their excellent workmanship.

Along with every tire brand you can imagine, Superior offers all of the latest brands of custom wheels - to add style to any car or truck.

“Many police officers from nearby 42 Division bring their vehicles to us because they want reliability when they are on the road,” says Danny. “They put many miles on their cars every day.”

Superior Tire has many repeat customers who come back again and again - for snow tire removal, to purchase new tires, and for other automotive repairs. Because it is on such a busy corner in Sheppard East Village, it gets great exposure to thousands of potential customers driving by each and every day.

“We take great care of our customers. Not long ago, we had a young 16-year-old driver pull into the shop. The frame of her vehicle was pretty much ready for the junk pile, but she had driven here from North Bay all on her own. We spoke with her mother on the phone and arranged a ticket for a Greyhound bus to get her back home safely,” explained Danny.

Danny grew up in Scarborough and enjoys a little road biking when he has time off. He now lives in Ajax with his wife, who was a customer at Superior Tire before they met.

Drop in and see the wide variety of tire and wheel options at Superior Tire, to get your vehicle ready for the season. You will enjoy the experience. And the next time you come back, you can be sure that Danny will remember your name.

Arvind Soreng – Scotiabank Branch

4220 Sheppard Ave. E.

Arvind has managed the Scotiabank branch located at Sheppard & Midland since 2016. A Scotiabank branch has been located in Sheppard East Village for over 100 years.

The large banking team at Sheppard & Midland is ready to help customers with everything from mortgages and business loans to investment and savings advice. Because the community is home to many newcomers, the branch specializes in helping people with all of their banking needs in many different languages - including Mandarin, Cantonese and Hindi - a language in which Arvind is fluent.

Arvind’s branch also helps more and more international students settle themselves in Canada with their first bank account, allowing students to establish that all-important credit history so crucial to planning for a future in Canada. Assisting students with personal budgeting is part of Scotiabank’s commitment to the infinite potential of our youth.

Arvind worked at Scotiabank in India before immigrating in 2002 and loves the diverse Canadian culture – its people, different foods, languages and, of course, the weather.

Many small businesses in the community take advantage of the advice offered by the experienced small business team at the branch. “We help our business customers with all of their needs,” he says proudly. “We like to support our customers and the businesses that they own and operate.”

Arvind is a great role model for his staff and is an avid golfer and cyclist. He recently completed the Ride to Conquer Cancer for the second year running. “We had a team from Scotiabank riding together - it was grueling but when you see cancer survivors riding, you feel inspired by their efforts.”  Arvind is married, with two young boys that keep him busy playing sports – hockey, skiing and baseball.

Arvind loves the neighbourhood mix of cultures and the international cuisine that is available at lunch hour. One of his favourite places is Markham Station, for the all-day breakfast.

Please visit the branch sometime and say hello - or perhaps “Namaste” which is hello in Hindi.

Rogel Restua - RM Printing

4455 Sheppard Ave. E., Unit 6

Rogel and his wife, Mary, operate a quality custom printing shop in Sheppard East Village. After beginning their business in the basement of their home, they now serve clients from their convenient location just north of the 401.

Rogel and Mary are proud Filipino-Canadians who serve clients from many cultures who require customized promotional products. Starting a business on your own has many bumps on the road but, as Rogel likes to say, “we had to stick with it and see it through. It allowed us more flexibility so we could spend time with our family.”

RM Printing can print on just about anything - including ribbons, bags and t-shirts. They create custom products and giveaways for bridal showers, family reunions and corporate promotions.

When asked about the weirdest request for an order they have received Rogel smiled and said: “I once had to print something on underwear for a stag party - that was a first!”

The couple takes pride in their work and has many repeat customers - both in the nearby area and from areas well outside the neighbourhood.

Rogel loves to travel back to the Philippines and island hop while he is there. He and his wife enjoy camping near Wiarton, as it brings back memories of when their children were little. He is happy to see his children, now all grown up, return to the same campground to enjoy the same ‘unplugged’ experience.

If you have an upcoming special event or just need a few t-shirts for a friend’s birthday party, drop in and see what RM Printing can do to customize your requirements and make your event a great success.

Michael Chau - Y.C. Chau & Sons Piano

4211 Sheppard Ave. E., #210

One interesting fact about Michael Chau is that, ironically, he does not know how to play the piano. A second fact to learn is that he can tune, move, build, dismantle, refurbish or refinish a piano of any kind! “While I don’t play the piano, I can take a whole piano apart and put it back together,” Michael says, smiling.

Michael was born in China and moved to Trinidad - and then finally to Canada. He worked in a piano factory and became a foreman for a big manufacturer - before eventually starting his own company with his father here in Sheppard East Village.

“People become very attached to their pianos. Many people bring them in so they can be refurbished and passed down to younger generations. I get to hear so many meaningful stories.”

One of his favourite stories is about an old piano that came in from St. Michael's Choir School. “It was an upright transposing piano with 98 keys, instead of the usual 88. After we received the piano, the school needed time to save up for the refurbishment so they asked us to set it aside until they could raise the funds.  It sat with a note on it for months until, one day, a customer came in and heard its story. He was an alumnus of the School and he offered to help fundraise the money, with other alumni, to refurbish it. The piano was welcomed back to the School with a special concert. It’s a rare 1930’s piano that is still working today. I won’t forget that piano anytime soon.”

It can take months to completely refurbish a piano. The company always takes ‘before and after’ pictures so their customers can see the difference. They are always impressed with the outcome.

In his spare time, Michael likes to go bass fishing. He has four children that all play the piano and he is the proud grandfather of 5. His son took piano technology in college and now works alongside his dad.

Drop by and look around the store. Just don’t ask Michael to tinkle out a song.

Dr. Kripanjali Pujari - Pujari & Associates Family Dental Office

4830 Sheppard Ave. E., Unit 1

The first thing you will notice when you meet Dr. Kripa is her big beautiful smile – which makes a lot of sense when you find out she has been a dentist in Sheppard East Village for many years.

Born in India, Kripa immigrated to Canada after spending 10 years in the Middle East as a dentist. She had to go back to square one here and take the whole dentistry program for a second time. She took a big risk moving here with her husband and two small children - without employment. The risk eventually paid off.

She cares very deeply for the patients she sees daily in her office, at 4830 Sheppard East, Unit #1. Her one-hour commute is always worth it, as she helps her patients stay healthy and their teeth looking bright. She has patients from many different cultures and ethnicities, which is one of the great attributes of the neighbourhood.

Kripa has a very supportive husband who helps out with the administration side of the practise. You can truly see the adoration he has for his wife when you meet them together.

“I love what I do, but my family comes first,” says Kripa, smiling. “That being said, if one of my patients is in pain, I am in pain, too.”

In her spare time, Kripa loves to stay fit - she's a big fan of meditation and yoga and she enjoys eating healthy and walking outdoors. The couple has two teenage children and, although neither of them is planning to study dentistry, they are considering careers within the medical field.

Stop in and meet Kripa and her team. You’ll recognize her as soon as she shakes your hand and smiles.

Babu Rajakulasingham - Babu Takeout & Catering

4800 Sheppard Ave. E.

At the back of a plaza in Sheppard East Village is the well-known Babu Takeout & Catering. Mayor John Tory was guest of honour at Babu’s grand re-opening in 2016, after its capacity was expanded by about 300% - reflecting how popular his delicious food has become.

After arriving in Canada from Sri Lanka with very little, Babu worked for a few years in a bank. He then changed career paths and decided to start a catering business with his wife, working from their basement apartment.

An entrepreneur was born. The store itself started as one unit and has grown from there. After about 5 years, it really took off. He often worked 20 hours a day in the beginning - and it sure paid off. His take-out shop is now a wildly popular place to get breakfast, lunch and dinner.

“I cook for my customer’s taste, not my own” Babu says cheerfully.

Ask anyone on a Scarborough street about “Babu” and they will likely know what you are talking about. The food they serve is incredibly fresh - with new dishes coming every 30 minutes.

“I think part of the success of Babu is that I take a lot of feedback from my customers. The place has a wide variety of dishes - with Tamil, North Indian, South Indian, Hakka and Chinese influences - and we have a separate area for our vegetarian options.”

Customers from all over the world come to his 4800 Sheppard East location. His shop is open from 5 a.m. to midnight, so everyone can get their meals when they aren’t working.

When asked about his favourite dishes on the Babu menu, he said, “the crab and the pepper chicken.”

Happy to no longer work 20 hours a day, he has a bit more time to travel to India and to celebrate special days with his many friends.

Babu is a generous business that often donates food to local schools and charity events, as a way of giving back to Canada. He is very grateful to have come here and been given the chance for a new life. He recently arranged a fundraiser for the local hospital - and handed them a cheque for $6,000.

Isaac Ary - Serendib Paints & Decor

4900 Sheppard Ave. E., Unit 2

Serendib Paints and Décor, the local Benjamin Moore dealer in Sheppard East Village, is like no other paint store in the world – because it has Isaac Ary behind the counter, as a colour consultant. He is truly one in a million.

Before Isaac could speak, he learned about colour. It was his first language.

His mother was a fine artist and his father was a European master house painter. Isaac spent his days watching his mother mix pigments for her paintings - and observing his father create custom paint colours for his clients.

His father opened his own paint store and, when he was a teenager, Isaac began his 52-year career of helping people pick colours and mix paints. Since that time, he has become a ‘paint whisperer’, with an intuitive gift to be able to help anyone choose the right colours – just for them.

His proudest project to date is choosing the colours and paints for the National Ballet School of Canada. He created their custom colours - after many hours of seeing, feeling and hearing what went on within their walls. He looked at the windows, the light, the flooring and the dancers themselves. He was inspired by a colour he remembered from a trip to France, where he saw snow falling from the sky with a particular shade of pink to it.  

“I choose colours based on many factors. The building itself, the people in it, and the emotions within the walls” says Isaac.

As part of his craft, he collects sand samples from all over the world. If you go somewhere interesting, don’t forget to stop in and bring Isaac a small sample of sand. He can probably figure out what colour it is - in about 5 seconds.

Serendib Paint & Décor can help with all your upcoming paint and paper needs.

Just drop in before you start your next decorating project - and Isaac and his colleagues, at 4900 Sheppard Ave. East, will be happy to help you out.

4900 Sheppard Ave. E.

Automotive Specialties Inc. has been serving customers in the Sheppard East Village area since the late 1990s.  

Tony and his skilled team provide a wide variety of up-to-date auto services for cars, vans, and pickup trucks – whether a vehicle is new or has ‘a lot of miles on it’.  The shop also does fleet vehicle repairs for large companies.

“I really believe in customer service. It isn’t appreciated as much now as it used to be” Tony says. “Building a relationship with someone is the key to a successful business. I still have the fleet customers that I began my business with. I have worked hard to retain them.”

Tony’s love for cars began when he was 16. He recalls that his first job was pumping gas at a BP station. During this time, he would stay late and watch the mechanics repairing cars. He soon became a licensed mechanic himself - and the rest is history.

“I have loved speed and cars ever since. When I’m not in a car, I’m in a powerboat or doing a little drag racing. I am a speed junkie, I have to admit” he says, smiling.

Tony was born in Canada, of Greek heritage. He also likes to travel to Miami and enjoy the beautiful scenery on the waterfront, whenever he can.

Automotive Specialties has customers from all over the world and they all want the same thing: a vehicle that is repaired right – for a fair price - with great customer service.

This combination is getting harder and harder to find.

Be sure to contact Automotive Specialties the next time your vehicle needs a bit of TLC. Tony and his colleagues will be happy to assist you.

Wayne Lam - ACM Computer Systems

4400 Sheppard Ave. E., Unit 1

Wayne is the owner / operator of ACM Computer Systems, which has been located in Sheppard East Village since 1992.

Wayne meets a variety of software and hardware needs for his clients and customers - including both p.c. and laptop sales & service; data recovery; security camera sales & installation; as well as virus and spyware removal.

He has a real gift for figuring out what is wrong with a computer and fixing the problem. Wayne keeps up-to-date with all of the upgrades in his business and his customers appreciate his knowledge, advice and friendly attitude.

As a longtime service provider in the area, he has had an opportunity to visit almost every restaurant in Sheppard East Village. Wayne loves all kinds of food and enjoys every place he has tried so far. He couldn’t be in a better area for a variety of great ethnic cooking.

Wayne was born in India and speaks both English and Cantonese, which is helpful for many of his customers.

“I’m all about loyalty. If I have to stay late in order to get something finished for my customers, I will” he says.

Wayne loves living in Canada. “It’s peaceful, it’s beautiful and my children love it here” he says.

In his spare time, he likes to visit local cultural destinations, like the Toronto Zoo and Science Centre, with his family. Wayne also helps some of his elderly customers with snow clearing and other tasks they may need help to complete.

ACM is conveniently located at 4400 Sheppard Ave. East.

Muhammad Noor - Safnor Printing

421 Nugget Ave. Unit 8 

Muhammad came to Canada from Pakistan, with a background in statistics. It was this type of attention to detail that allowed him to succeed when he took over as the new owner of Safnor Printing.

Safnor Printing does all types of cards, flyers, brochures and signs for many businesses within the Sheppard East Village and a wide range of other clients, including students and community organizations.

The quality of their copying is also easy to recognize. It is a core service that has attracted customers over the years.

“At Safnor, good service brings people back,'' says Muhammad happily.

He provides a reliable resource for all of your printing needs whether it’s for a special event, a promotion or an upcoming sale.

What you might not know about Muhammad is that he is quite the gardener. He tends to some very rare black roses in his backyard that give him great enjoyment when they are in bloom. 

He also enjoys watching Pakistan play cricket matches - and likes to head to Babu Catering, in Sheppard East Village, for something delicious for lunch. 

Rennee Mathroo - CIMT College

55 Nugget Ave.  Suite 202

`Get Trained – Get Certified - Get Hired`

This is the motto of the Canadian Institute of Management and Technology, a private career college with a campus located in Sheppard East Village at 1711 McCowan Road, Suite 202. CIMT College specializes in offering training courses in Healthcare, Technology, Management and Business. This campus is easily accessible from Highway 401 and by public transit.

Rennee and her husband, Surinder Pal, own and operate CIMT College. Rennee is also Campus Director at the McCowan location, where she and her team assist in creating new programs, building community connections and finding placements for graduating students.

CIMT offers programs such as food service and personal support worker, as well as medical office and network administration. The school is open to any student 18 or over, offering job-oriented and focused programs. Many older students, in their 50s and 60s, are coming back into the workforce and learning new skills at CIMT - which Rennee enjoys seeing.

Rennee was born in India, came here in my late 20s and has a solid background in education. She can speak Hindi, Urdu, English and Punjabi, which can be very helpful for students who are new to Canada. “English is the business language of the courses, but our team can connect and help parents and students by answering questions in a variety of languages,” she says.

“I get great satisfaction from seeing our students succeed. One night a year, we invite all the graduates to a big ceremony where we give out awards to special students who go above and beyond. We gave an award to a student in her late 50s who was taking a food service worker program. She became quite emotional when her name was announced - it is a special memory for me.”

Renee lives with her family in Brampton. On her day off, she likes to spend time reading, cooking and being with extended family. And when she finds the time, she likes to travel.

We invite you to visit the CIMT website and see if there is a program that might help you learn a new skill or find a new career.

Adel Abdelmalek - Main Drug Mart

41 Milner Ave

Adel is the long-time owner of Main Drug Mart, located in Sheppard East Village since 1997. It is a drug store with a community feel, which is harder and harder to come by, and it is also our local Canada Post outlet. 

Main Drug Mart has many long-time customers - in fact, they still deliver prescriptions to a number of people out-of-town who are loyal to the pharmacy and its service.

“Most of the time when we answer the phone here, we already know the name of the person on the other end. It makes for a very personal and helpful conversation,” remarks Adel.

His pharmacy has helped three generations of families in the local neighbourhood - and he feels fortunate to have so many loyal employees who have worked with him for many years.

“The customers speak virtually every language you can think of and the staff comes from all over the world - so that really helps when we are explaining how to take a prescription.”

“Our country relies a lot on small businesses. If we lose all the small independent drug stores, then we will only have two big players - never good for business owners or customers” remarks Adel.

Adel is of Egyptian heritage and moved to Ontario in 1991 with his wife, after a short stint in Montreal.

He likes to go to the gym in his spare time and considers himself a good cook. “I am quite creative with my recipes. It’s all about the presentation. I sometimes serve something I have never made before to the delight of family and friends” he says, smiling.

Stop by Main Drug Mart at 1711 McCowan Road & Sheppard and say hello - there is sure to be someone who speaks your language.

Deborah Dunphy - McCowan Foot Clinic

1457 McCowan Rd.  Suite 215

McCowan Foot Clinic has been located here in Sheppard East Village, since 1999. This medical Clinic helps people of all ages keep their feet healthy and comfortable. They have an experienced team of six, including Deborah, who is one of their five chiropodists. The Clinic also prides itself on educating its clients in all areas of foot care.

The Clinic team can help with any type of foot problem - from high arches, to corns and calluses, to nail fungus issues. Another big part of their service is creating custom orthotics for all types of foot problems. As caring professionals, they do a lot of foot maintenance for their elderly clients who have difficulty doing it themselves. The Clinic is also a supplier of a line of orthopedic shoes.

“Healthy feet are very important to your overall well-being and we help people understand why,” Deborah says. “We discuss common foot problems - and solutions to help keep feet healthy and ready to step comfortably. Feet are the foundation of your body; if they are not happy, the rest of your body isn’t happy.”

Deborah switched from nursing to chiropody and - 31 years later - still enjoys what she does. “I love getting up in the morning and coming to our office.”

“Many of our patients wear ill-fitting shoes and need assistance removing corns or calluses, a couple of times a year.” The Clinic policy is to spend the time to really examine each situation and to help educate their customers on what they can do to keep their feet healthy. They always follow up - making sure everything is still good.

The majority of the services the Clinic offers are covered under most extended health plans.

“We have patients who return here a couple of times a year, from long distances. They like the caring service provided by our Clinic and feel it is worth the drive to see us.”

“Our secretary is the first person you will meet when you come in - she has been warmly welcoming people at the Clinic for 15 years.”

Deborah was born in Guyana and has a large number of siblings. She is married with two teenage children. In her spare time, she enjoys reading and dining on seafood with friends.

Drop into the McCowan Foot Clinic and say ‘hello’. You can be sure Deborah will be wearing a comfortable pair of shoes.

Dr. Kelly Tsioros - McCowan-Sheppard Chiropractic

100 Cowdray Court, Suite 300
  
Dr. Kelly Tsioros and Dr. David Kirsh run McCowan-Sheppard Chiropractic here in Sheppard East Village. They have combined experience - providing state-of-the-art chiropractic care - spanning over 50 years. Kelly and David work on alternating days to give their patients friendly and professional service six days a week. They very much complement each other in their styles of practice.
  
They both share a caring attitude toward helping improve the quality of life of their patients. “Chiropractic care has become more accepted over the past several years - with an increasing number of family physicians referring patients to our clinic. This provides us the opportunity to help our patients to get well” says Kelly.
  
Their family practice specializes in sports injuries, and as David likes to say, “I don’t cure people; I help people cure themselves.”
  
“Our practice has really changed as a result of the technology revolution. It used to be primarily focused on issues related to the lower back. But now it’s upper back, right shoulder, and wrist and thumb problems - resulting from overuse of computers and other electronics. This was relatively infrequent 20 years ago” David says.
  
Kelly has seen hundreds of patients improve their well-being in her practice. “After two or three visits, I often see improvements. Regular chiropractic care allows you to have a properly functioning nervous system that helps you stay healthy” says Kelly.
  
What David and Kelly like best about the Sheppard East Village area is the amazing food their patients bring in for them to sample. “We get to experience all kinds of baked goods and interesting foods from other cultures. These tasty treats are especially delicious around the holiday season.”
  
In her spare time, Kelly enjoys a variety of fitness routines involving running, swimming, yoga and Pilates.
  
Kelly and David can be reached at 416-292-4100.