TTC CLRV 4014 On Bathurst Street by KatesFriend
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Description
One last passenger races to catch a northbound streetcar outside of Honest Ed's. Why, I do not know since the streetcar will reach its terminus at Bathurst Station, on the Bloor-Danforth subway line, in about 100m. Bloor Street is the last stop for northbound streetcars on the Bathurst Line (Route 511) before turning around at the subway.
Welcome to Mirvish Village at the corner of Bathurst and Bloor in Toronto. The (only recently) late great Ed Mirvish was a flamboyant local businessman and philanthropist who founded Honest Ed's discount department store in 1948. The first of its kind in Toronto and, according to Ed (everyone in Toronto called him Ed), the first of its kind anywhere in the world. A place where you could and still can buy many intriuguing and useful things from fashion to food real cheap. If you don't mind no service and line ups at the cash. This of coarse encourages you to buy more just to make the trip worth while.
But Honest Ed's is well worth the visit. Not just for the wares but for the sights. The store is covered with posters and photos of performances and stars which Ed helped bring to Toronto. Ed was a great patron of the arts and is often credited with resurrecting theatre (especially musicals) in Toronto. He began in the 60's with the restoration of the then defunct and condemned Royal Alexandra Theatre on King Street. The reopened theatre (and a closely associated restaurant also owned by Ed) served as an anchor which over time changed the face of King Street West from "old burnt out warehouses with tracks" to what Toronto calls its Theatre District today.
And, if my memory serves me correctly, Ed was also one of the key community leaders who fought to save Toronto's streetcar system when it was slated for abandonment more than 40 years ago. What a guy.
NOTE: Honest Ed's is never to be confused with the, allegedly, not so honest Bargain Harold's. But that's story for another day.
Comments (25)
magnus073
Well Clayton my friend your image and wonderfully detailed history of Honest Ed won me over, now you have me wanting to see it for myself. lol I really love all of the slogan signs splashed all about instead of the standard random ads. My fav is the one you can only make partially out that says ( Where Only The Floors Are Crooked ) Fantastic !
Burpee
This is so cool. I like these type of stores. They remind me of flea markets. Excellent shot and thanks for sharing!
myquad
Great shot! This looks like such a fun place to shop at and your write-up makes it that much more intriguing!! Nicely done, Clayton!
eekdog
neat business and shot, thanks for sharing. /steve
drifterlee
I really miss Toronto and Quebec, too. I must get up there when it warms up. Great shot!!
bluetoad
fabulous detail - excellent
SapUS59
excellent capture.
flaviok
Excelente foto e informações, obrigado por compartilhar, aplausos (5)
Janiss
Superb stores... a great shot my friend!
goldie
Oh, I love stores like this! What a wonderful background story and capture too ;)
JeffG7BRJ
Two superb images in one, this is fantastic, not only the tram but Honest Ed's bargain centre. What a great narrative Clayton, full of interesting information and to think the place is sixty years old(same as me next month). Excellent capture, busy but in a nice way, plenty to see and take in, coupled with that fantastic narrative, real top notch stuff. Thanks for sharing. Bravo!!!!!
Richardphotos
I wish I had went here when I was in Toronto.I was on Bathurst street since a friend use to live there.very entertaining capture
thales
really... a cool shot... +10
Darkwish
Very nice shot! EXT!
DanB-Creations
Very nice photo!
larparmit
Interesting info and great capture!
1010
A fantastic photo with vivid details!
amlondono
great shot and info , Ana
chimera46
As much as I like to slam Toronto (dammed 416-ers!) it really has some great elements you can't really get in any other city, and which you manage to capture quite well with your camera. Ed was a great man and the city is definitely better with him than without him. I hope all those who move into the new condos around King appreciate what Ed saved and rebuilt for them...
stevey3d
Superb image! Wonderful details and the amazing signs! 5+
yakchat
Wonderful history of this remarkable store and photo capture....excellent!!!....love, Carol
e-brink
Great scene! A wonderful picture.
Biffowitz
Mirville at its finest, I love going past this place at night. Great work and interesting background info. Keep em coming!!!
MagikUnicorn
Wonderful detail here... Is that Bathurst N-B ? ;-)
Rausen
Wow nice atmosphere!!!