Tim Hortons checks out Sunnybrook Plaza

Vacant stores

Word has whizzed through the stores at Sunnybrook Plaza that Tim Hortons has taken a look at the little shopping strip at Eglinton Ave. E and Bayview Ave. Sunnybrook has two vacancies. One of them is a smaller space at the east end of the mall still bearing the signage of Mountain Bean Coffee. That tenant was locked out last year because of unpaid rent. And many will know about the large vacant space next to the CIBC branch until recently occupied by Wrap-it-up, the gift shop and Canada Post franchise. There are a number of sources who say Tim’s agents have looked at the former Mountain Bean location and found it unsuitable.  One source says the coffee leader is looking at the Wrap-it-up space. It is a better location in the mall and large enough to house a restaurant type operation such as Hortons. Nothing has been announced and behind the scenes there might be issues. Rio.Can, Sunnybrook’s owner, must weigh the balance between food outlets and important specialized retail companies. It’s retail that attracts grown up shoppers with money. Time will tell.