ugusta Avenue in Kensington Market has always been a hard sell - its history of seedy alleyways, dealers, addicts and petty thieves certainly hasn’t helped. However, over the last few years, there has been a big bright change. Augusta has transformed a questionable roadway into one of the most improved areas. All without the influence of corporate money or help from the city.

Other neighbourhoods are also changing, but few at the speed and with the determination of Augusta. Dundas St West between Bathurst and Grace is coming along but it hasn’t figured out what it wants to be. The Portuguese sports bars and Vietnamese karaoke bars still have a stronghold on the street. And Parkdale is struggling to overcome its long tarnished reputation of street drugs and prostitution.

What makes Augusta any different? Low rents are usually the driving force, but there’s more to it than that. There is a sense of community, people of like-minds are gathering. The past two summers of Pedestrian Sundays has been great at bringing more people into the area.

What usually happens shortly after the people start coming in droves, is the landlords clue in and start charging higher rents, your drink prices go up, and well, as the saying goes, there goes the neighbourhood. Let’s hope that doesn’t happen here, we don’t need the heat of College Street.

The food and beverage offerings are numerous; you’ve got everything from French, South American, Sushi, Spanish, Asian fusion, Thai, Vegetarian. The epicentre of the new Augusta Street is really concentrated in one small block from Oxford to College. Covering three of four corners at Oxford, one can indulge in the offerings of Big Fat Burrito, Alchemy Bakery and The Urban Herbivoire.

La Palette restaurant was the first to take the chance a number of years ago. Their card of French fare at reasonable prices, a good wine list and extensive selection of imported beers, has made them a popular mainstay.

When the Lava boys moved in, they brought a ton of exposure to the previously sleepy strip with Supermarket. An original concept, crashing the elements of Asian-inspired cocktails and cuisine, plus late night DJs and bands – an energetic concept. Not to be forgotten is the tiny sushi restaurant Oshikada. And, two new entries opening soon, Toritu Tapas Bar and Rice Bar, will compliment the already diverse and colourful strip.

Just off of Augusta, Nassau Street’s Ronnie’s Local waters and feeds off-duty film types. Across the way Ideal Coffee keeps the crowds always a buzzed. It is joined by Tam Tam internet café and Bellevue Diner, which nourishes the market’s residents.

Down at the foot of Augusta, The Boat, a former 70s Portuguese seafood restaurant, hasn’t changed its décor a bit in almost 40 years. Most recently, some partiers have been putting on a variety of events - the sweaty masses can now dance on the parquet dance floor and imbibe on uninspired cocktails. Just a little up the street, Embassy has turned into a cool little hangout for the artsy Kensington crowd. Across the street The Hungary Thai serves up tasty but oddly coupled dished of pad Thai or schnitzel.

Kensington Market, as well as the rest of the city, took quite a hit two summers ago. SARS and a slew of other events kept the tourists and the GTA away. It is good to see areas such as this vibrant and alive again. Maybe it is time to quench your thirst for something new and check out an area you haven’t explored in a while. - B.S.