The choice corner of Laird Drive and Wicksteed Ave. is the source of widespread local interest. For decades it was the junkyard and fix-it-up home of the venerable Ricci brothers, now moved to their alternative location on Canvarco Road where there is a grand selection of 70s cars. The property was sold last summer for $10.7 million to owners who are really not acknowledged anywhere. One principal is said to be a local man who attended Leaside High whose family business hopes to build a commercial-retail centre there. Further whispers say that among those who have sat at the table as prospective tenants in recent days are the Indigo Books operation and mattress bosses The Brick. Nothing is settled of course but in matters of enormous public interest people will be people and talk. They would like to know. Certainly an Indigo store would be an attractive addition to South Bayview. We can just see the sign on the corner. Nothing like a sign on the street to grab business. Indigo is operated by Heather Reisman, wife of Gerry Schwartz, the unimaginably wealthy (and philanthropic) owner of Onex, a private equity investment firm and holding company. They are Rosedale denizens. Indigo is, in a way, a gift to the community too because the perennially money-losing firm could not be sustained by just anyone. No doubt there are accounting considerations. We’re rooting for an Indigo.
