We’re getting to know our neighbours! People on Preston? is a collection of street portraits and short interviews with merchants, residents and patrons who live, work and play on Preston Street. There will be six new stories each week. Click on an image below, or click here to see all of the People on Preston stories in one place.
Liana Guberman – “I’ve wanted to be a dentist as far back as I can remember. I had a lot of orthodontic treatment growing up as a kid and it was a positive experience. I said, ‘That’s what I want to do.’ It was the aspects of caring for people’s health, getting to know families and treating the person as a whole that was attractive to me.” (Read More)
Joe Ciampa – “I began investing at age 16. I dabbled in the markets and learned a lot. I went from studying engineering to studying finance. I’m working for RBC Dominion Securities here on Preston and really love it. I love helping families manage their wealth from A-Z including their investments, insurance, and building a comprehensive financial plan. Helping them accomplish their goals is very fulfilling to me.” (Read More)
Fabio Vitagliano – “I started out as a busboy in 1986. My first job was in Toronto; back in the days when even the busboys wore tuxedos. It was part-time while I was in school but I stuck with it because I really enjoy working with people. I became a waiter, a manager; a chef as well. I opened a restaurant with my brother and my dad.” (Read More)
Nicholas Caragianis – “We were established in 1993 and have been in the Preston Street Area since then, starting in the Commerce Tower at 333 Preston, and now at 137 Pamilla. We chose the Little Italy area because it’s a mixed-use neighbourhood and great location: access to O Train, the Queensway, Dow’s Lake skating, walking and amazing floral displays, and all the wonderful local businesses. Our office on Pamilla is ideally located at the end of the street along the O Train pathway, which we often use to circulate up and down Preston. The staff really enjoy the neighbourhood amenities.” (Read More)
Shane Kang – “I’m renting a room on George St. West. I came to Ottawa to work [at Preston Health Centre]. I’m commuting every week. Monday morning I leave downtown Toronto and I get here Monday afternoon. I leave Thursday afternoon and get back to Toronto Thursday night. Ottawa’s a great city. I’ve been walking around. Last week was magnificent, with the Tulip Festival. I just got this great feeling of community and harmony.” (Read More)
Bill Guerrero – “In the year 2000, myself and my roommates at the time were looking for a new place to live. We were looking for a relatively affordable, spacious place. It was the year of the double cohort, so there was nothing. Just by chance we found the place above Preston Pizza. That was my first real exposure to Little Italy as a neighbourhood. Because we had commercial neighbours as opposed to residential, I took it upon myself to learn how to play the drums. I was there for a year.” (Read More)
Catherine McKenney – “My wife and I moved into the neighbourhood about 10 years ago. We wanted to buy a home and settle down. This was our first choice. I’m fortunate because we live off Preston and one of my older daughters lives up here just off Somerset. When Preston was rebuilt we were living here through all the construction. I’ll never forget that spring; the first nice day when construction was done.” (Read More)
Tiana Dargent – “I’ve always liked living centrally. I live north of Somerset near Preston. It’s at the midpoint of three different communities that are really vibrant so I feel like I have access to lots of different things. There’s a lot of economic and cultural diversity in the area. It’s an interesting place to be where I feel I fit in.” (Read More)