Street level snapshot: An irate driver leans out of the car window as construction forces traffic to a halt at the Eglinton Ave. and Laird Dr. “This is a bloody mess,” he bellows, to no one in particular.

To others, though, the tangled traffic caused by the 19-kilometre, 25-station Eglinton Crosstown LRT, which will run underground from Weston Rd. to Laird and then above ground to Kennedy subway station, is worth the headache.

The line will jumpstart a corner in the Leaside neighbourhood that’s already starting to hop, says Tamara Robbins Griffith, public relations manager for home décor chain HomeSense which opened a location on Eglinton, just east of Laird, a few years ago.

“It’s been a great fit,” she says. “People in the neighbourhood love their homes, so we really resonate with the community.”

Robbins Griffith, who grew up near the area and lived in the neighbourhood for several years before starting a family, recalls the corner being “vast and empty.” Now, it’s filled with townhomes and retail stores and cafes. “You can get a lot done along the corridor,” she says.

Previously a textile factory, and then an auto dealership, the site had industrial elements that were purposefully incorporated into the store design. “The polished concrete floor, and the immense ceiling full of skylights — they make it kind of special,” she says.

Home décor hotspot: As the trend of urban homeowners connecting with nature continues and grows, people are looking for décor for both inside and outside the home.

In this neighbourhood, that has them flocking to Urban Nature Store, which opened on the corner 4-1/2 years ago, in part to cater to loyal east-end customers who were making the long trek to an Etobicoke location.

“Lots of homeowners, especially the ones with young families, want to get involved with nature in the city,” says owner Paul Oliver.

This winter, his beautiful birdfeeders — home décor for feathered friends — are catching the attention of customers who are aware of the big hit city birds took from the ice storm last year.

“They lost nesting spots when big trees came down and because bushes were weighted down with ice, they couldn’t get in for shelter,” Oliver says.

While customers initially come in for bird-related gear, many are surprised by the home decor he carries.

“They realize we have a lot more than bird feed and end up coming back for décor and gifts. We have lots of things for nature lovers — even the ones who live in condos and don’t feed the birds.”

Big sellers right now include organic soy candles in tins that look like vintage maple syrup cans, bird-themed mugs and mug mats filled with spices, so that when a warm cup is set on them a lovely scent is released.

Also spied were sets of cotton towels with pretty pictures of flora and fauna, or holiday themes, all of which would, by the way, make a great hostess gift.

Where to live: You’ll need deep pockets to buy a home in Leaside, where even a modest bungalow can go for upwards of $850,000, says Brandon Ware, a real estate broker with PSR Limited.

A proponent of multi-residential development, his company will be involved with condo sales for projects at the Art Shoppe location, just south of Eglinton Ave. on Yonge St., another condo development at 155 Redpath Ave. and a suite of townhouses on Keewatin Ave. that will launch on 2015.

“With better transit, it’s going to become an even more desirable neighbourhood. Condos offer a great opportunity to get into it, especially for young families and first-time buyers. There are so many amenities — and with all the parks, the neighbourhood becomes your backyard.”

Where to eat: Wiseys Pies & Bakehouse, at 874 Eglinton Ave. E., has an interesting pedigree. Opened earlier this year, it’s owned by New Zealander Gary Wise, who started his career at the age of 12 cleaning trays and prepping for a local baker.

He’s overcome some major hurdles to perfect his New Zealand-style sweet and savoury pies for the Canadian market.

“The butters are different, the flours are different, the humidity has a massive effect, but I think we’ve got it right. The community support certainly has been outstanding,” says Wise.

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In the interests of investigative journalism, this writer tasted both sweet and savoury versions and can report that Wise does indeed make a superlative pie. The coffee’s good, too.

For family food shopping, there’s a Sobeys at 147 Laird Dr. Recently expanded by 10,000 square feet, the store now includes sushi, noodles and coffee bars, and sells freshly prepared meals.

Where to play: The Leaside Memorial Community Gardens is a hub for hockey, curling, and skating. In 2011, it got a second ice pad, the first new one to be built in the City of Toronto in 40 years thanks to years of intense community support and nearly $4 million in public funds raised. In summer, nearby Sunnybrook Park is a favourite spot for picnicking, biking and bird-watching.

Street Numbers

19

Kilometres of light rail that will run along Eglinton

60

Percentage by which it will be faster than bus service

6.7

Per cent the population rose between 2006-11 in Ward 26, home of Leaside’s Laird and Eglinton intersection

51.9

Percentage of families with kids, compared to 45.2 per cent throughout the City of Toronto