Janet DiBernardo opened Latitude 44 in December 1982. Kimberly, Janet's sister, worked with her briefly. Then MaryAnn, another sister, joined Janet. But after twenty-odd years in Mississauga, Janet and MaryAnn decided it was time for a move. "Our lease was up. And we wanted to make a change and move into the city."

"I take care of the gallery, artists, and corporate work. And MaryAnn is the master framer," says Janet. You can have anything framed, whether it's a graduation certificate or a fine art painting. You can choose from simple frames or something exotic like a shadow box. Everything is made to last. "We always frame archivally."

Janet's gallery mandate is to represent established and emerging Canadian artists. She takes their work to corporate and private clients. Or clients come to the shop and browse the gallery. "I'm a real people person. I love art. I come from a very artistic family. We've always been surrounded by art, artists, and artisans. And I really enjoy bringing art to the community and businesses," says Janet.

Latitude 44 is very much a part of the Junction arts scene and city-wide festivals like Contact, the photography festival held every May. The Junction BIA sponsors photographers who choose to exhibit their work in the neighbourhood. "This year we have nineteen or twenty venues that are participating." Latitude 44 will be "showcasing four photographers: Brian Anderson, who is a Junction resident; Fabienne Good; Marilyn Lightstone; and Matthew Marigold, who works here in the Junction." Photographers interested in exhibiting at Contact in the Junction have to submit their work to the BIA's Contact liason by early January. For Latitude 44's grand opening, after moving to the Junction, "we opened with Contact. That was our very first show."

"We also have a select range of gift items that are unique: Lampe Berger, and Kenneth Turner is a very good product as well." The Lampe Berger are French scent lamps, which are used in hospitals across France. The scented oils have none of the toxins you find in some of the scented products typically available at shops. Nor do they produce smoke or leave a residue. Kenneth Turner is a celebrated British florist who has expanded into scents and other home products. Among his clients are the Royal households.

Janet and MaryAnn have both come to love the Junction. While MaryAnn lives steps away from the shop, Janet's home is a short walk or bicycle ride away. "I like the Junction because it's such a unique community and it's a real neighbourhood." Janet also delights in the Junction's history. It was actually incorporated as a city before Toronto. But a day short of a year after incorporation, the Junction merged with Toronto, after the City of Toronto ran into a financial crisis and needed the Junction's resources. The Junction, at the time, had a thriving railroad and manufacturing sector. While the Junction suffered after the wars, it has in the last several years begun to gain a lot of interest. "I think it's a real gem," says Janet. "We're getting all sorts of new and exciting business. People are moving into the neighbourhood. It's only for the better."

Any favourites? "We've got some very interesting restaurants. We've got Post + Beam across the street. They sell architecturally reclaimed pieces. A little indie film place, Big Daddy's Video. It's a great place to go. If you like bath and bedroom products, we've got the Relax Shack. The people who had the organic market in High Park just opened the Sweet Potato - it's just what we needed. The Beet just opened up and they're just great. We've got Pascal the baker. Rue Morgue is another one," adds Janet. And "Taylor Shoes. They've been in the Junction for forty years at least." And "people often come to Cornerstone."

Anything missing? "A flower shop. Often when you're walking home you just want to pick up a bunch of flowers. One thing I would like to see is some more clothing stores. But we're getting there."

"A lot of people are opening businesses, and, if they don't already live in the neighbourhood, they will be."