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| - I was channel surfing one lazy night and happened to come across that show Restaurant Makeover... I tuned in and was surprised to see an old favourite coffee shop of mine being made over! Kensington's, once a tiny, kinda run down little place was demolished, right before my very eyes!
This was a place I'd come to and sit with a coffee for hours on a warm fall day, people watch and take in the sun and music in the bubbly community. Many memories float through my mind every so often about this great little spot, and I felt a twang of hurt as I watched it being torn down. I actually turned the show off before I saw the makeover complete. Maybe a part of me thought that if I didn't see it, it wasn't true.
No such luck.
On a recent trip down to the market, I happened to see the newer and sleeker Kensington's sign as I turned the corner at Baldwin and Augusta. UGH, I thought, so it was true. I went inside and found it clean and much larger than before. The counter space had been cut by about half, but was replaced by a spacious dining room with a lot of comfy seating. The menu was larger and updated, but Kensington's still has their coffee, tea and hordes of delicious deserts...Ok, so it wasn't so bad.
The food I ordered was wonderful; a hearty pea and mixed veggie soup that was $4.99 and all kinds of good. I recommend it to anyone. As I ate, the place filled up with a number of people, some there for grub, some to grab a coffee on the go. I have to admit that I am nostalgic for the older Kensington's, but it seems that the makeover has done it some good, aesthetic and business wise.
I've heard people say that since its June 2008 makeover, it doesn't seem to belong in Kensington anymore. It's too sleek, too clean and too new, and I can see this point, especially when you start hearing rumours about Starbucks and Subway ventures trying to get in too. But, I also believe that Kensington is a place where the "one love" lifestyle rings true; it's truly a place for everyone...
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