Page 7 of Meet Me on Love Street
Everyone starts shouting out ideas again. The empanada shop’s owner suggests putting tables on the sidewalks to make the street look busier. But Pink Chai Guy says they’d need a city permit for that. Someone else suggests closing to car traffic, like they do on Kensington Avenue once a month. But, of course, Pink Chai Guy tells everyone that the application process for that could take years.
This guy is getting on my nerves. I raise my hand to suggest cross-promotions on social media, like my post of Mom’s flowers with Jenn’s vintage clothes, taken here at the café. Julie pipes in agreeing that it’s a great idea and that LoveBug’s success is mostly driven by social media. Pink Chai Guy, of course, makes a comment that not everyone is tethered to their socials.
I turn to glare at him again. I don’t know why I thought he was cute when I first saw him. It was probably the pink drink that made him look good. That chai has magical properties—it makes just about anyone look appealing. “Are you going to shoot down every suggestion anyone has?” I ask the guy.
He raises a brow at me. “Only the ones I know won’t work. Honestly, I think you guys should do more research before jumping on an idea.”
The guy from the bistro next to him snorts a laugh at that.
Ugh. That’s it. I turn away from them. I should be focusing on how I cansaveMom’s store, not on this smug grump. New goal: banish Pink Chai Guy from my brain permanently.
I lean over to Cara. “Well-Actually-Manis getting on my nerves.”
Cara giggles at my nickname for him.
“Why don’t we highlight the history of the street,” Reggie, the used bookstore owner, who’s sitting in the front row, suggests. I’m not surprised. Judging by the number of historical books Reggie sells, he’s a history nut. “Love Street was named after Lionel Osmond Love.”
“Who’s that?” someone asks.
That question makes Pink Chai Guy pipe in again. “You all work here. Shouldn’t you know something about the street’s history?”
Jenn, who finally seems annoyed by Pink Chai Guy, sighs. “Why don’t you tell us?”
Pink Chai Guy stands and smiles like he was given a free puppy. Unfortunately, it’s an adorable lopsided smile.“Lionel Osmond Love was a prominent Toronto city councillor in the fifties. He was instrumental in challenging post-war urban renewal policies that were displacing lower-income workers from the city core. He was a major anti-poverty activist and championed diversity before it was common to do that. Thereshouldbe a plaque about him in the park that’s named after him. He’s a hero to many in the city.”
Huh. I actuallydidknow that the street and park were named after a guy called Lionel Osmond Love, because the park’s official name is L. O. Love Park, or LOL Park for short, which is hysterical to anyone under fifty. But I didn’t know anything about what this Love guy did.
“There was a whole CBC Heritage Minute short film about him,” Pink Chai Guy says when no one responds to him. He sounds positively incredulous that we’re not up to speed on the life of this historical dude.
“Okay, but I’m not sure how we can get people to shop here by highlighting an anti-poverty activist?” Jenn asks, frowning.
Suddenly, an idea comes to me, and I stand and shout it out instead of raising my hand because honestly, it’s pretty perfect. “No, he’s right! Weshouldhighlight the name of the street. This is Love Street!Loveis the common thread! Like love and romance!” It’s so obvious that I’m kind of disappointed no one thought about it before.
April, who owns the pet grooming business, shakes her head. “This café is the only business here that remotely matches that theme. And I suppose the flower shop. No one else’s store has anything to do with love.”
I clap my hands together, excited. “So, let’s make themabout love! Not, like, change everything in all the stores, but just like… a love promotion. Jenn can put some vintage wedding gowns in the window. The bookstore can put a romance section up front. Things like that.”
Jenn’s eyebrows furrow as she considers my idea. I beam at her, vibrating with excitement. When she and Mom were talking about interest rates and stuff, Jenn said I was smart. Iknowshe’ll consider my idea. “ALovepromotion. That’s interesting, Sana,” Jenn finally says. “Anyone have thoughts on this?”
Everyone is silent for a bit, and then Alain, the bistro owner, suggests prix fixe date-night meals. Mrs. Kotch says she can do a promotion on wedding and anniversary cakes. Even Mom seems to warm to the idea and suggests selling small arrangements that people can give to their sweethearts.
“Can we broaden it to include platonic and family love? To be more inclusive,” Cara asks.
“And pet love,” April says. “I can sell T-shirts that say ‘I love my cat,’ or even cat T-shirts that say ‘I love my person.’?”
I nod. “Yes! The flower shop can make friendship bouquets, too!” I’m obsessed with this concept.
After everyone throws out more ideas for the promotion, Pink Chai Guy finally says, “It’s kind of cheesy, isn’t it? Do you really think people will come to the street specifically because of hearts and trite quotes on your social medias?”
I turn to glare at him. Figures he’d call it cheesy. He seems to dislike joy.
Surprisingly, my mother is the one to rebut him. “If wemake it visually cohesive, I do think people would come. We could even reach out to the media.”
“Iknowpeople would come,” I say. “LoveBug is always busy. If we make everything on the street pretty for pictures, people will flock here. Don’t underestimate TikTokers and Instagrammers looking for the perfect backdrop for their grid.” I look over at Reggie, the bookstore owner. “The bookstore can carry more romance—it’s the highest-selling book genre in the world. Feature the books up front, and people will come.”
Cara grabs my arm with excitement. “I wonder if we could get one of those big heart statues for LOL Park. The one at the Distillery District is always so busy.”
Jenn had started writing these ideas down on her whiteboard and adds “statue for LOL Park” to her list.
