Art-focused shop and gallery, Likely General, is permanently closing its doors after a vibrant decade of business in Toronto. 

The shop, art, and community space is located at 389 Roncesvalles Ave. and first opened up in 2013. Over time, it grew into a multi-functional space that supported the expressions of approximately 300 queer and marginalized artists and connected their work with the public. 

The space now hosts community-based workshops, events, book launches, and lectures, while offering a diverse product range that includes ceramics, candles, books, zines, cards, skincare, clothing, and jewellery. 

In an announcement made to the store's Instagram, owner Brooke Manning revealed that the shop would be bidding farewell to the neighbourhood in the fall. 

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"I've been writing this letter in my head for a long while. It always starts with a rainbow of feelings I want to express to our community. My goal through Likely has always been to foster an inspiring community built through kindness, connection, empathy and a deep desire for change," Manning wrote.  

"I've appreciated every single connection I've made through Likely the past 10 years. Likely — and the people that surround it — have completely changed my life. The privilege of experiencing first hand how the artists, writers, makers, poets, collections, and visionaries of Likely General impact others daily fills my soul to no end," the announcement continues. 

"This decision has been one of the most difficult of my life. In many ways, I could keep going, the rewards are always there, but it would be at a detriment to my own health and wellness. The last three years have been challenging for me both personally in regards to new challenges to physical health and professionally in many ways perhaps as result of the pandemic," Manning continued. 

"With the unpredictable nature of everything and my lease coming to an end, as a person who is led by a deep trust in their intuition, I know this is the right time to surrender to a different life of service," the post reads. 

"I'm really looking forward to seeing everyone in the shop for the final two months of Likely's life. The long goodbye feels important to me. I didn't want to leave suddenly, keeping up appearances for a month, or not be transparent with you. Likely and the 300+ artists and community of friends and customers deserve the long goodbye, it feels like an important reflection to our values." 

Likely General will officially close its doors on Sunday, Oct. 29. The shop will start offering reductions on items in September, with further sales happening in October until its last day of service.