As the end of the provincial mask mandate approaches on March21, Danforth Avenue businesses report mixed feelings.

A local café owner is fighting expropriation through the use of a petition signed by hundreds of supportes.

In the spring of 2012, the east Danforth commercial vacancy rate was 17 per cent and nearly one in five stores lay empty. It was a quiet section of an otherwise bustling city neighbourhood.

Greektown resident John Galaktopolous came out to celebrate his heritage on March 29. “It's freedom day,” he said. “That's what it's all about. We are a strong nation." More than 15,000 people lined the Danforth, between Jones and Chester avenues, to watch the Greek Independence Day parade on Sunday.