Mercy on Gerrard: A Stage for the East End PHASE 2

Thanks to this incredible, grassroots, big-hearted community, we’ve officially hit our initial fundraising goal of $31,035 for Mercy on Gerrard!

When we started this campaign, we honestly weren’t sure how far we’d get. Mercy is a big leap — a self-funded, independent venue built out of pocket, off the side of our day jobs, and rooted in love for the East End. What’s kept us going has been your belief in us. Your encouragement. Your patience. And your generosity.

Thanks to your support, we’ve already completed sound and lighting installation, and are almost finished on painting and bar renovations. It’s happening fast, and it’s happening with the community at the core.

THANK YOU from the bottom of our hearts ❤️

Your donations, time, in-kind support, and belief in this project have turned a dormant space at 1035 Gerrard St E into the foundation of something real — a venue rooted in music, art, and care for our community. A space that, in a time of closures and cutbacks, says: we’re still here. We still deserve to gather.

We’re now launching Phase 2 of our campaign, adding an additional $30,000, bringing our new goal to $61,035.

These new funds will go toward:

️Washroom upgrades & accessibility renovations

Architectural plans & city inspections

Fire safety & capacity permits

Basement waterproofing & restoration

These next steps are critical to making Mercy safe, accessible, and legally ready to host the vibrant creative life we’ve envisioned together — with working plumbing, real permits, and a basement that doesn’t flood when it rains.

You can sign up for our mailing list to get weekly updates on scheduling and how we’re moving forward! Just click below!

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Anyone who contributes $200+ before September will be honored on a permanent plaque outside the venue, to be unveiled in December 2025. We’ll use your donation email to invite you to that special event

To every volunteer, every person who shared the campaign, and everyone who offered tools, labour, or love — you’ve helped build this, literally. We’re also incredibly grateful to all the media coverage we’ve received for Mercy on Gerrard, which brought even more energy and visibility to our work.

We’re still a small team working through a mountain of follow-ups, doing our best to hold it all together with spreadsheets, zip ties, and snacks — so thank you for your patience as we get back to everyone.

Let’s keep going — let’s build the independent venue this East End deserves!!!

With love,

The Mercy on Gerrard Team

Why Mercy?

This venue is named after my late aunt, Mercy—my biggest supporter and a light in my life. I spent nights trying to find the perfect way to honour her love, and now, I finally have. This space is built in her spirit: a place where people can come together, support one another, and share in something bigger than themselves.