Robert Ashley Forster
Robert Ashley Forster at his salon, March 2020.
AUDIO INTERVIEW
SUMMARY
October 28, 2015
00:25 WORK: Ashley established Robert Ashley Hair Design on the SW side of St. Clair and Arlington in 1987.
01:44 PERSONAL INFORMATION: He was born in Canada but returned to England when he was young, then came back in his early twenties.
02:39 NEIGHBOURHOOD: This a good “up and coming” neighbourhood. It took a little while to build up his clientele, but now he is now cutting the hair of a few generations.
03:20 SHOPS: He has seen a lot of changes in businesses in the area. There was some turmoil with the streetcar line reno. There are a lot of new coffee shops and restaurants, and older-fashioned ones have gone.
03:59 WORK: Ashley bought the building at 781 St. Clair W in 1996 and lived with his family in the upstairs apartment.
05:02 SHOPS / RESTAURANTS: He discusses the longevity of other businesses on the street; several banks have left the area. Some businesses have been there for a long time.
05:58 The variety store at the corner of Rushton and St. Clair is now a restaurant, the Rushton.
06:27 Filippo’s Pizzeria and Archer’s Restaurant once popular are now gone. Ferro’s opened in 1993.
07:24 NEIGHBOURHOOD STREET LIFE / TRANSIT: More people walk along St. Clair W. nowadays, but it’s not as busy as Bloor St. or the Danforth. The streetcar renovation has helped bring in more people, but during construction it had a big impact on businesses, especially those that rented their premises.
09:12 Discussion of customers who still patronize his business even though they may have moved out of the area. “People are very loyal.”
10:15 ENTERTAINMENT: The Salsa festival is good for some businesses. The Wychwood Barns transformation is great for the neighbourhood.
10:45 Discussion about changes he’d like to see eg. a bookstore, movie theatre.
11:00 ENTERTAINMENT: The Maple Leaf Ballroom became a bingo hall, then a Salvation Army store. U2 performed at the Ballroom in 1981.
11:26 The Vaughan Movie theatre was at the corner of Vaughan Road and St. Clair, and a bowling alley used to be at Bathurst and St.Clair.
11:48 NEIGHBOURHOOD STREET LIFE: Ashley wonders how new condos will affect the neighbourhood? Housing prices are high and that affects young families, schools and the community as a whole.
12:24 SCHOOLS: His children attended Hippo School, McMurrich, Winona, and Oakwood Schools. He mentions by name other schools in the area.
13:08 SHOPS: Grocery shopping: Darrigo’s on St. Clair and Alberta had sawdust on the floor. It later became a Blockbuster. Nearby Dominion became No Frills.
13:46 NEIGHBOURHOOD: Ashley has heard rumours about the development of housing and condos in the area at St. Clair and Alberta. You can go to the local B.I.A. and the City Councillor for updates.
15:00 Residents on Barrie Avenue were involved in discussions regarding the development of the old Hungarian House building which was originally a Synagogue. The Nest is a new condo where the Kentucky Fried Chicken used to be, opposite the firehall.
16:15 SHOPS: There used to be two fish stores on the north side of St. Clair between Oakwood and Dufferin. Ashley mentions the Italian butcher shop, a travel agency and an insurance company between Arlington and Atlas.
16:59 NEIGHBOURHOOD: It is a pretty safe area. In all the time Ashley has been here he has only experienced vandalism 2 or 3 times. Mostly an inconvenience. The area has “a nice feel to it.”
17:50 SCHOOLS / LIFE OF CHILD: His children have done very well at the local schools. He likes local schools because children can make friends in the area.
19:49 TRANSIT: The streetcar reno resulted in all the wires being buried in the ground, so now there are fewer power outages. Snow removal is prioritized on St. Clair because it’s a main street.
20:35 WORK: His business is family-orientated and appeals to clients of all ages.
21:21 Comments on the distinctive colour and storefront of Ashley’s. He will be moving across the street to smaller premises on the north side of St. Clair. Discussion of reno involved. The north side of St. Clair has the advantage of more pedestrian traffic as it’s the sunny side of the street.
23:24 SHOPS: Now there are more bakeries and other kinds of shops. Ashley remembers the old Bun King bakery where the World Class Bakery is now. (Note: World Class has now moved out.) He mentions the new butcher, Roast, and EcoExistence right beside his new premises.
24:11 Discussion of hours required for small businesses. Many shops have to be open 7 days a week.
25:31 RESTAURANTS / SHOPS: Ashley felt reassured to move to this area because Kentucky Fried Chicken was said to be one of the busiest locations in Ontario. Also, McDonald’s always researches an area extensively before they open a store. However, some stores remain empty. Discussion about other stores between Arlington and Rushton.
27:57 NEIGHBOURHOOD STREET LIFE: St. Clair is busy on Saturdays when there is more walk-in trade. New condos will increase business, but he will not open on Sundays.
28:27 SHOPS: Barber shops: Nino’s has been there forever. He is Ashley’s hero.
29:01 WORK: Ashley hires younger people to stay with the trends. It is important to make the shop inviting because first impressions are so important.
31:29 He mentions one client who is the founder of Famous People’s Players, and her mother, who works for the theatre at age 99. Other clients are residents of Braemore Gardens. He has clients from all walks of life, reflective of the St. Clair area.
33:01 NEIGHBOURHOOD: The rising price of housing means that some people are moving out of the area. Ashley wonders about the changing demographics.
33:52 A shelter for the homeless used to be in the old Orange Hall on the south side of St. Clair west of Hendricks, near where Patachou used to be.
34:59 Being right on St. Clair gives him more awareness of stores opening and closing; also, speaking to people gives him a vibe of the neighbourhood.
35:54 “I feel blessed to be living in such a lovely neighbourhood.” Originally Ashley was going to open a salon downtown, but he is happier with this area. Rents are less here than downtown.
36:48 SHOPS: Discussion of moving from a larger space to a smaller one. The St. Clair Vet next door is moving into his old store space. Discussion of rentals and income properties.
39:18 DELIVERY PEOPLE AND VENDORS: He is serviced by the postman, window cleaner and other service people on the street.
40:49 SHOPS: On–line shopping is going to affect small businesses on St. Clair.