Regent Park bistro gives hope to marginalized community

TORONTO- Located in the heart of Regent Park, residents can enjoy the quaint Paintbox bistro.

Paintbox is a social enterprise, providing employment, training and career development to residents of Regent Park.

“It was something that needed to be done. In the Regent Park revitalization, its always been envisioned that there would be a restaurant in this corner. They managed to find an entrepreneur who was willing to come do that, and that was me,” Chris Klugman, owner of Paintbox Bistro said.

Valerie Lawson has been working at Paintbox since it opened in September and according to executive chef Tallis Voakes, has grown as a cook and as a person.

“She went from doing sandwich “Mise En Place” which is just, you’re assembling your sandwiches. Now she’s running a station by herself which is brilliant,” said Voakes.

This unique bistro and catering company is proud to be the only certified B-Corporation in Canada.

“A b-corporation is part of community businesses internationally that are using the power of business to eliminate poverty to self climate change and to create good neighbourhoods and places to work,” said Klugman.

Klugman works closely with Toronto employment and social services and to date has trained 30 Regent Park residents. There has been 13 recruits who are currently going through a 16-week culinary arts boot camp at George Brown College where Klugman teaches.

Valerie and other employees are paid for their hard work and dedication as they rotate between the kitchen and the floor learning about the entire business.

“I never thought I’d reach this place, I had doubted myself but I’m here, happy,” said Lawson.