For 73 years, there has always been a family-run diner anchoring the corner of Dufferin and St. Clair. The New Tivoli Restaurant at 1160 St. Clair West ruled the eastern boundary of Corso Italia, whatever the mood, fashion or World Cup Champion. It was like the old sweater that you couldn't part with - a bit frayed and rough-around-the-edges, but a constant source of comfort and security. Owned by the Gardanis brothers for the last 3 decades, the Tivoli told tales of former regulars Leonard Cohen, John Candy and Bruce Cockburn. A colourful cast of patrons was always on hand to provide out-of-the-blue entertainment for each other. After unsuccessful negotiations on a new lease, the decision to close up shop was made by the brothers in the fall of 2006.

Photographer Armando Lulu, a regular who lives in an apartment upstairs, took camera in hand and documented the end of an era. His candid portraits of the Tivoli's patrons, workers and owners are underpinned by a sophisticated and energetic sense of composition and keen, intuitive timing. In the midst of change and loss, his empathy elicits the stories that make this exhibition the portrait of a community.

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