R&B singer Jully Black performing at Toronto Festival

The outdoor urban village festivities opened their doors this week with Canadian Idol winner Eva Avila and R&B singer sensation Jully Black (featured above).

Reminiscent of the downtown Yorkville street shopping design, the 'Shops at Don Mills' outdoor mall has radically changed from the former 30 year old enclosed mall, to an open concept design aspect with overhead canopies that promise to help protect visitors from the harsh weather elements. 

The drastic outdoor concept change, however, was first met with much opposition from what the neighborhood customers were accustomed to; the customer base average annual income is $180,000 (the area roughly stretching from Eglinton and Avenue Road to the Bridal Path). 

Neighbors and nearby residents feel that the Cadillac Fairview developers did not completely address their consumer needs during the 3 year delayed construction process; most felt relieved the amenities were finally there and were also appreciative of the featured artwork, sculptures and modern concepts.. but with over 5,000 petitioned signatures opposing the expensive upscale stores with integrated outdoor design, time will only tell if the 'Shops at Don Mills' urban lifestyle design and privately owned pedestrian walks will step up to what was already there. 

~Tomitheos reporting from Toronto