A family's winning passion for needlepoint

Right to left: Cindy Saltzman, her Mom Betty Gelman,
and sisters Randi Gelman and Bonnie Kruger

A Toronto family has built a highly successful business in the absorbing craft of needlepoint. Cindy Saltzman began Needle Art in a small way in 1993. Today, with the collaboration of her mom, Betty Gelman and sister Randi, Cindy owns a Needle Art that is the foremost producer of needlepoint, a unique source of sewing advice and a thriving retail store. A third sister, Bonnie Kruger, is a vice-president of Homefront, the home accessories shop that sponsors this blog. It is a family fully in retail.  Needlepoint is an ancient skill that has evolved through centuries. Families with needlepoint heirlooms cherish them as I treasure a dining room set with needlepoint chairs done by my Grandmother a hundred years ago. Most of us are not familiar with this artful craft. Those who make needlepoint were usually taught by a relative. They are often addicts to their needles, threads and canvasses. The busy and talented ladies of Needle Art can be visited at the shop at 9078 Leslie Street (Highway 7 and Leslie) (905) 709- 7759. Cindy, Betty and Randi travel North America to display and sell their work. They sell out very quickly. To give an example, one canvas of an owl sold 60 pieces in three days. They also sold 250 Christmas tree canvases and hundreds of ornaments. The website http://www.cindysneedleart.com. Check Sew Much Fun and some of the finished canvases. Christmas Trees, Turkey, Foxy Frog, Judaic and Scrap Book. This store is the only one of its kind in Toronto and if you want to see beautiful thread art it is worth a visit. Trish

Eglinton's Cantonese landmarks vanishing

Hard on news that China House at 925 Eglinton West has closed for good, comes news that House of Chan, across the street, will also close. House of Chan will fall to the wreckers ball in a couple of  years to make way for the Bathurst LRT station.  Generations of Toronto families have dined on the traditional Cantonese dishes of these two restaurants. The changes are no doubt partly due to the profusion of Chinese cuisine elsewhere in the City. It is said that the valuable property where China House thrived for more than 60 years will now be developed into a condominium.  House of Chan and a few other business on the northwest corner of Eglinton and Bathurst will come down to permit additional access to the LRT. At a public meeting before Christmas many of these details were presented to local residents.   It was revealed that a  small plaza at the northeast corner will be the site of the main station. Secondary entrance across Bathurst will require demolition of Israel's Judaica and House of Chan. A third property, Halleluia Restaurant, which is situated between House of Chan and Israel's Judaica and is now vacant, will also be torn down. A second public open house for the Bathurst Station design is scheduled for next spring.

Bonnie Brooks now CEO of Bay and L&T

Bonnie Brooks (left) has been appointed to head up both The Bay as well as its U.S. sister department store Lord and Taylor. She replaces Brendan Hoffman (right) at Lord and Taylor. He is said to be heading to another retailer, Bon Ton. As a news conference today Ms Brooks refused to deny the idea that Lord and Taylor would make a move to Canada, or what form that move might take. Richard Baker, whose New York investment firm, NRDC Equity Partners, owns HBC, will remain governor and chief executive officer of the company, HBC said in a statement Monday.  Financial Post.

Sale on signature lines goes on at Homefront

Your response to our 15 percent discount on designer pieces until January 31, 2012, has been great. The sale goes on so don't miss an opportunity to add to your collection of Simon Pearce, Emma Bridgewater, Julia Knight and Michael Aram. Homefront has many other discounts up to 50 percent as well on Linens, Blankets, Glass and Door Mats. Bonnie Franca and I are off to buy at the Gift show next week so if there is anything you want us to look for just call or email. Trish Stuebing

New selection at Homefront's mat sale

The sale on coloured occasional mats continues at Homfront with a new selection now on display. These useful and decorative mats range in size from 24 by 36 inches to 24 by 84 inches. There are two styles, natural and polypropylene. All mats are reduced by 20 percent. Also,  matching runners measuring 24 by 84 inches are marked down by  30 percent. The great mat sale carries on over the weekend at both stores, 371 Eglinton Ave. West and 1579 Bayview Ave.