By Morgan Gallagher
Birchcliff resident Polina Privis walks between tables at The Kingston Social, making sure that all the farmers’ market vendors have what they need.
The Kingston Social Founder Polina Privis. Photo Credit Morgan Gallagher.
The Kingston Social located at 1427 Kingston Rd. west of Warden Ave. is a new business for Birchcliff Village residents looking for a new type of social experience in the neighbourhood.
“My whole point is to help the small businesses promote their product,” says Privis behind a counter of bread made by local bakery, Cliffside Hearth.
“The beer you can eat”
For some vendors, this purveyors market that takes place every Monday from 3- 7pm, is the first chance that they’ve had at introducing their product to the public.
Francoise Briet of Malty and Happy Delicacy says that she spent a year developing her idea of ale beer jelly, and that this is the farmer’s market where she felt she could finally introduce her product.
The pale ale beer jelly by Malty and Happy Delicacy. Photo Credit Morgan Gallagher
Dina Rock runs Mighty Fine Brine, a company that specializes in producing fermented only foods.
Rock moved from New York City 20 years ago and wasn’t able to find that classic New York pickle that she loved so much, so she decided to make it.
After 10 years of making her homemade pickles and getting rave reviews from her friends, Rock decided that she had a pretty good idea for a profitable business.
“I have a background in public health so that intersection between food and health has always been important,” said Rock.
A catalyst for change?
Privis prides herself on the fact that The Kingston Social is a local, family friendly business that all residents can take advantage of.
“Its just a community space where we can have small events or dinners that people can just walk over to, whether its early enough for the family.”
Birchcliff Village is changing. 
The lack of productive retail space is what Privis says scares other business owners away, but she is hoping that The Social is going to be the catalyst of positive change in the neighbourhood
“I hope that this becomes kind of the starting point of the gentrification of this area, where there is more people that will take chances, and kind of reinvent your typical retail space,” says Privis.
The Kingston Social will play host to a number of upcoming events, including an upcoming healthy eating tutorial, and an upcoming open house to introduce the space to the neighbours.
Among other things Privis is leading a neighborhood Jane’s Walk on Sat. May 2nd at 3:30 pm that winds up with a wood-fired pizza party at The Kingston Social.
For more information on space rentals or event inquires, contact Polina Privis at 647-727-5464 or visit thekingstonsocial.com.
