Readers of the newspapers have been having fun this morning commenting on stories that warn of 10 cm of snow “by morning.” In particular, a story in the Star online published around 7.45 am warns of this heavy fall. People don’t quite get it. Here is what some readers are saying.: Feb 24, 2012 8:33 AM Okay, for one, it’s wet snow and no snow on ground this morning as they said there would be. Things change once the weather makes its way over here. Second, they’re making this news as if we live in Mexico where this type of weather never happens. I am sorry but do we live in Canada?? Where am I? Feb 24, 2012 8:31 AM Whatever Woke up half hour earlier than usual, looked outside, then spent the extra half hour making a hot breakfast for the first time in years before work. .Feb 24, 2012 8:11 AM The boy who cried wolf. Might want to re-read that on.
Rona closes 10 big box stores
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Rona Inc. will close 10 big box stores across Canada in the face of declining sales and the lingering impact of the collapse of 2008. It will replace the stores to be closed with smaller units in an attempt to get closer to customers and somehow beat off Home Depot and Lowes. Some 23 of Rona’s 800 stores will be affected by the company’s 2012 business plan, through closure, reductions in selling space or replacement by new 35,000 square feet “proximity” units.
Target pop-up store attracts 1500 shoppers
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This photo supplied by Target Corp indicates the appeal of the pop-up store concept it has used in the U.S. In this case, as the company says, they “share their love for Target at the one-day only pop-up store featuring the Jason Wu for Target collection, which sold out in less than five hours.” Shot looks down on 363 King St. W at John Street. Target donated an amount equal to 100 percent of the sales from the event to United Way Toronto. (CNW Group/Target).
Loblaw, Tim Hortons and Leaside Capital
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There are three rather surprising money stories worth noting. Shares of Loblaw, Canada’s biggest grocer, fell the most in almost four years today after it said earnings this year will bump downward from 2011 because of higher costs for technology. Loblaw fell 5.6 percent to $35.25 at the close in Toronto. It’s the largest drop since April 21, 2008, after fourth-quarter profit missed analysts’ estimates. No word on what kind of technology Loblaw has purchased to cause this nosedive. Airplanes? Well, better news at Tim Hortons, but still curious. Tim says sales improved in the fourth quarter but profits declined. More technology? The best part of this is that Tim increased the quarterly dividend a staggering 23.5 per cent. Whatever you say Tim. Finally, the high-end investment firm First Leaside Group has been granted bankruptcy protection. First Leaside doesn’t appear to have much to do with Leaside. It’s based in Uxbridge. The company has been teetering since last fall when it became clear that the rents it expected to get for properties in the U.S. were not attainable. And although investors appear to have lost a lot, it also seems they have lots left. News reports say qualified investors needed seven figure liquid reserves to get in.
“Waiting in line for pop-up store…getting chilly”
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Toronto shoppers lined up early along King St. West Thursday morning for a chance at designer clothes at bargain prices. The lineup snaked around the block as mostly female shoppers waited to purchase flirty skirts, dresses and jackets at a pop-up Target store. The National Post ran a story and tweets from the smitten. This one said: “Waiting in line at the #jasonwu for Target pop up in Toronto. It’s getting chilly!”
Premier speaks at Leaside company
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Premier McGuinty appeared today at the Motion Specialties offices at 939 Eglinton Ave E (just west of Brentcliffe Rd.). He was accompanied by Don Valley West member Kathleen Wynn. Mr. McGuinty said among other things that the government will respond directly to the Drummond Report. It was issued last week and calls for large cutbacks in programs and spending in Ontario. He also spoke on behalf of the Healthy Homes Renovation Tax Credit. Motion Specialties makes a variety of wheeled devices for those unable to walk as well as other items used by the elderly.
Home on Randolph fetches $198K over list
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A story in the Globe and Mail today details how a renovated bungalow on Randolph Rd at Hanna Rd sold for $198,000 over the listing price. The owners had asked $978,000 for the two storey corner home. They got $1,176,000. A brick bungalow built in the 40s, it was renovated on its 26-by-109-foot corner lot by different owners over the past few decades. It now has four bedrooms, three bathrooms and a family room addition with skylights and double patio doors to the wood-fenced yard. It was listed with.Sheree Cerqua, Royal LePage Signature Realty. Story.
84-year-old Ohio River bridge comes down
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Seconds separate the Fort Steuben Bridge in Ohio from its other reality. For 84 years it carried traffic, automobile and horse, across the Ohio River. Engineers took it down Tuesday. These shots are milliseconds apart.
Sides well drawn up in Webster dismissal
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The Toronto Transit Commission has voted 5-4 to dismiss chief general manager Gary Webster. The Globe and Mail reports that a likely successor is the recently appointed chief operating officer, Andy Byford. Mr. Byford was recently appointed and arrived in Toronto from Australia in November. The close vote of the commissioners saw Ward 26 Councillor John Parker vote against the motion (i.e. in favour of keeping Mr. Webster in place). The newspaper reaction to the commission’s decision has been predictable. The Toronto Star called Mr.Webster’s firing unjust and said Mayor Ford “hurts Toronto” by ending his tenure. The Toronto Sun on the other hand calls the resistance to the firing theatrical and says Mayor David Miller fired many top bureaucrats, including former police chief Julian Fantino.
When will Dollarama grace South Bayview?
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When the green and white Dollarama sign finally goes up on South Bayview over the premises previously occupied by Shoppers Drug Mart, the space will have been vacant for close to a year. The big dollar store let it leak out some weeks ago that it had definitely taken the lease. It was the neighborhood’s worst kept secret. But for many a mystery remains that the place is still vacant. Most everyone will understand that a company with more than 600 stores has lots to do. But a year? It’s been speculated that the vacant triple store continued under leasse to the drugstore well after Shoppers moved out last Spring,. This would mean the landlord simply collected rent even though he had the next lease from Dollarama in his pocket. Then late last year, “Leased” signs went up on the papered-over windows. It was amusing because there had never been “For Lease” signs. Most thought that the signs indicated that the arrival of Dollarama was nigh. Apparently not. With March upon us there is no sign that the compamy plans to enter the premises any time soon. A peek through the cracks in the paper reveals a flat, uncluttered, moonscape of a space. When will Dollarama finally grace South Bayview?
New shipments in at Homefront Eglinton
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There have been a number of new arrivals at Homefront, 371 Eglinton Ave. W. A large re-supply of our popular bathroom accessories from Interdesign has arrived. There are tumblers, soap dishes lotion and soap pumps, tissue boxes, wastebaskets and tooth brush holder in many styles. There is also a new delivery of storage baskets and laundry hampers in fabric, faux leather and bamboo. Finally Julia Knight has shipped her servers. There are salad sets, cheese sets, spreaders spoons and forks. Each piece is a wonderful gift.