Chapter Two The Meet-Not-Cute #4
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. There should be a plaque about him in the park that’s named after him. He’s a hero to many in the city.”
Huh . I actually did know 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! We should highlight the name of the street.
This is Love Street! Love is 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 them about 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.
I know she’ll consider my idea. “A Love promotion. 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 we make it visually cohesive, I do think people would come. We could even reach out to the media.”
“I know people 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.
“Pole banners on the streetlights!” someone says.
“Little flyers that each shop can keep on the counter that says what all the businesses are doing,” April suggests.
This is such a great idea, and even Pink Chai Guy can’t argue against it.
Rebranding Love Street as the street of love is the way to get people to come here.
And they’ll keep coming back once they realize how amazing it is.
Best of all, with the focus being on love, my mother’s business has the most to gain, as it’s the street’s only florist. I smile at her, and she grins back.
Eventually we decide to form a subcommittee of the BOA for this Love Street rebranding project.
Jenn asks for volunteers, and of course my hand can’t shoot up fast enough.
This was my idea, and I want to be involved.
Plus, I’m going to be studying digital arts in college—any branding we do will be great for my portfolio.
Cara, Julie, April, and Grant, one of the restaurant owners, also volunteer for the committee.
After the meeting ends, I turn to glance at Pink Chai Guy, but all I see is his backside leaving the café with that waiter from the bistro. It’s a nice backside, but I’m glad to see it go.
Reggie comes up to me. “I think this idea of yours has merit, Sana, but I can’t help wondering if this is all a ploy of yours to get me to carry kissing books?” He has a mischievous twinkle in his eye.
Despite his neglect of my favorite book genre, I like Reggie.
He’s a Black man with a salt-and-pepper beard and a faint Caribbean accent, and he always wears buttoned-up shirts and tweed or corduroy jackets.
He reminds me of my favorite English teacher.
I grin. “You’re throwing away sales by ignoring the most voracious readers in existence. ”
He rubs his chin. “Well, now it seems we’re entering the season of love.
Fortuitously, I recently purchased a large lot of books in an estate auction, and there were quite a few romance novels among them.
I’d planned to donate the romances, but maybe you could help me curate our first romance section instead?
I’m afraid that I’m not well-versed in the genre.
I would, of course, pay you for your time. ”
Ah! Curating a romance section in a bookstore! Dream come true! “Of course. I’d love to! I’ll do it for free!”
“Oh no, my dear. I must insist. What would Lionel Osmond Love say about me using free labor to make more money for myself?”
I can’t say no to that. This will be a ton of fun.
I have such a warm glow when I leave the café.
This whole rebrand is going to help Mom, Jenn, and the other business owners so much.
Sales will increase, Mom won’t have to sell the building, and we can all stay here happily on Love Street.
I touch my locket as I walk out into the early spring night.
Maybe Jenn was right—this fortune could be referring to Love Street, not my love life.
This whole street is going to get flipped over by love.
And if I also find love while helping Love Street? Even better.