Lola

Lola has been in Toronto’s Kensington Market since the mid ’90s, but it wasn’t until 2003 that the current owner, Gwen Bang, started working there behind the bar with her brother. At a crossroads in her life, she was looking for a change, and the local pub gave her an opportunity. In 2007, the previous owners wanted to sell, so Gwen and her little sister decided to buy the place.

“It was more for personal reasons than for financial reasons. We felt really connected to the stories that were told about the old market and how raw it was and what people did back then,” says Gwen.

But no matter how things might have changed, Kensington Market is still one of Toronto’s most popular and bohemian neighbourhoods. It’s a tight community where many of the business owners know each other, and many people from all over the city frequently visit.