Preliminary Plans for Honest Ed's Site Unveiled

Ola!
I have been away, people, enjoying some surf, sand and sun.
Sorry for the lack of posting. I will share some pics with you later.
Right now, I'm excited about potential plans for the Honest Ed's site at Bathurst and Bloor, particularly the market that may be included, as well as rental housing.
What do you think?
Cheers,
Vanessa

Open House About Plans For Honest Ed's Redevelopment

Good morning!
If the redevelopment of the Honest Ed's site at Bathurst and Bloor interests you, this might interest you: developer Westbank has a website about it and there will be a Public Open House Tuesday, March 3rd at the Park Hyatt.
At the Open House, the developer will "share out first plans for this important site." [sic. I might be "old school," but typos on website don't inspire confidence in me...].
Unfortunately, I'll be out of town for the meeting.
I hope that it's full of useful information! That corner really is one of the anchors of our area.
Cheers,
Vanessa

Fabricland Moving Into Honest Ed's

On Valentine's Day, of all days, Fabricland is set to move into the Honest Ed's site at Bathurst and Bloor, according to CBC Toronto.
The move is temporary, of course, because the site will be redeveloped.
But, in the meantime, fiberistas can rejoice!
Cheers,
Vanessa

Plans for Honest Ed's Site

New Year, which brings to mind new developments.
We all know that the Honest Ed's site at Bloor and Bathurst is in for big changes.
Check out the architects' plans for the future; they seem pretty amazing.
Cheers,
Vanessa

The Annex Flea

Have plans for your rainy weekend? You might want to squeeze in a visit to The Annex Flea on Sunday.
It's open from 11 am to 6 pm in the Honest Ed's parking lot. Pocket Style Canada will be there, but right now all the Annex Flea web links are broken. The Facebook page promises "all things vintage and handmade," but is otherwise vague about this month's vendors.
But you know what? I'm sure that it'll be worth checking out.
Cheers,
Vanessa

Bad Boy Moving Into Honest Ed's Site?

The latest from the poorly kept secret department: Bad Boy Furniture might be moving into the Honest Ed's site.
Who likes that idea?
Nooooooooobody!
Vanessa

Sonic Boom Moving To Spadina

I've been wondering about the fate of the stores and restaurants in the block that includes Honest Ed's ever since the sale of the block was announced.
Here's one answer: BlogTO reports that much-loved music store Sonic Boom is moving to 215 Spadina Avenue, north of Queen West.
A loss for the neighbourhood, but life is change!
BTW, do we know if the new condo developments will have retail at street level? I hope so!
Cheers,
Vanessa

Honest Ed's Sign Sale

"A free ride in a police car, if you shoplift at this store.”
"Honest Ed's is for the birds: cheap, cheap, cheap."

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Bloor and Bathurst landmark Honest Ed's is known as much for its garish exterior, laden with cheesy, hand-painted signs, as it is for its bargains.
On Monday, you can purchase one of those signs and secure a bit of Toronto history.
As has been widely reported, Honest Ed's has been sold, and is slated to close its doors on the last day of 2016.
"Leading up to that time, Honest Ed's will be hosting special "looking back" and "nostalgic" events."
This is the first of those events; more than 1,000 of the signs will be offered on a first come, first served basis for 50 cents and up; the money will be donated to charity.
Things kick off at 11 am and run until 6 pm.
The event coincides with March Break, so from noon to 4 pm the store's show card artists will be on hand to help children create their own cards.
Cheers,
Vanessa

Honest Ed's Sold

Well, we knew it was coming... Honest Ed's has been sold. (Okay, okay -- it's the Honest Ed's site, but you all know what I mean.)
Never, fear, though: the store will remain open for quite some time. And that's the first time that I've been pleased about Toronto's time-consuming construction-approvals process.
It will give us all time to grieve and say good bye properly. And, for those of you who are jubilant about the prospect of something new gracing the corner of Bloor and Bathurst, it will give you time to offer input about an appropriate replacement.
Cheers,
Vanessa

Honest Ed's: Reaction

There's a lot of buzz about Honest Ed's and environs being up for sale.
NOW reported about reaction from retailers; Torontoist posted a panoramic view of the empty store; a Blogger weighed in about the spectre of Condoland; and a Globe scribe recounted the importance of the institution to his immigrant family.
Much more to come, I'm sure!
Cheers,
Vanessa

Mirvish Village A Heritage Conservation District?

People are working to have for-sale Mirvish Village declared a Heritage Conservation District. In Ontario, areas are declared such "because of their special character as well as for the distinctive architectural quality of individual buildings."
Seems like a good fit with Mirvish Village to me.
There is a change.org petition to sign if you're interested.
Cheers,
Vanessa

Interim Control By-Law In Force For Bathurst Street

This landed in my inbox yesterday, from Councillor Vaughan's office:
"Today at City Hall, Councillor Mike Layton and I moved an Interim Control By-Law covering both sides of Bathurst Street.
This move, the most powerful planning control available to the city, is aimed at stopping certain types of development applications from Queen Street to Dupont Street while the Bathurst Street study is underway. Most critically, it will stop any new big box applications (even as-of-right applications) while the planning study does its work.
The move is not aimed specifically at any particular property, nor will it necessarily apply to any active application currently in hand at the city. The motion can be viewed online here:
2013.MM37.70 - Bathurst Street - Interim Control By-law - Final Report - by Councillor Mike Layton, seconded by Councillor Adam Vaughan
http://app.toronto.ca/tmmis/viewAgendaItemHistory.do?item=2013.MM37.70
The Bathurst Street Study is critical to the future of the neighbourhoods that line both sides of the street as it moves south from Dupont Street. In particular, it will give us time to understand the major intersections where transit lines cross. The Interim Control By-law will give us the time needed to stop applications while new and updated rules are developed for the corridor.
In addition to this move at City Council, Councillor Layton and I have been working with City staff to bring forward a proposal to hold a community consultation explicitly focussed on the intersection of Bathurst and Bloor. Recent news coverage of the future of Honest Ed's makes this decision to focus City Planning's attention on these four corners critically important.
As in all planning exercises in Ward 20, local residents, neighbourhood organizations, and area businesses will be gathered to proactively engage the challenges. Details of the meeting will be announced shortly.
Sincerely,
Adam"

So, people, if the future face of Bathurst -- and Bathurst/Bloor in particular -- is important to you, I suggest that you sign up for Councillor Vaughan's updates and have your say. When it counts.

Cheers,
Vanessa

Honest Ed's Sale Includes Mirvish Village

So, in follow up to the news that Honest Ed's is for sale, it turns out that all of Mirvish Village is for sale, as well.
I have to agree with David Mirvish on this point:
"This is an opportunity for someone to re-imagine what this corner can mean. You don’t find this much land in the centre of the city, anywhere,” he said.
Truer words...
Let's hope someone with a lot of money, vision and perseverance takes up this challenge.
Cheers,
Vanessa

Honest Ed's For Sale

The National Post reports that iconic Honest Ed's, the Bathurst/Bloor fortress of tacky signs and great bargains, is "quietly" on the market. 
Why "quietly"? Could be because there was nothing "quiet" about the feedback when Honest Ed's owner, David Mirvish, announced plans to replace the Princess of Wales theatre with a soaring, Frank-Gehry designed condo building.
Our area needs more housing on its main corridors. bStreets condos across the street from Honest Ed's is a good example of a great new infill project re: density and unit sizes.
I have my fingers crossed that something equally intriguing will arise at the southwest corner of Bathurst and Bloor.
Cheers,
Vanessa

Pic of Honest Ed's

I really like this picture of Honest Ed's that was posted on Flickr.
The pre-twilight lighting is perfect and there's a sense of motion among the pedestrians.
Let's face it: Honest Ed's is many things, but pretty isn't one of them!
Enjoy,
Vanessa

Blog TO Poll re: Most-loved Intersections In Toronto

We have an icon in our midst! Bloor and Bathurst is in the running in a BlogTO poll re: "most-loved intersections in Toronto."
I've never really thought about it being iconic, but I guess Honest Ed's puts it right up there on the list. Very distinctive.

Perhaps, also, because it's the starting point for a subway ride down to The Ex? Hm.

Cheers,
Vanessa

Fire At Honest Ed's

Did you hear sirens last night? I did! Turns out there was a blaze at venerable shopping institution Honest Ed's.

Thankfully, no one was hurt.

Vanessa

PS Here is a more in-depth story about the blaze, including pics. Apparently the store is open for business as usual today.