Groms, the young peoples sports clothing and equipment store, is holding a dramatic looking liquidation sale at its shop at 1707. Everything is papered over with signage declaring 50% off everything in the store.
You can say what you like about Hyundai, but there is just no doubt that the once funny little car company has changed its style. and it has changed minds. The South Korean firm has worked its way up to a new level of acceptance. Once known for making vehicles that didn’t meet everyone’s expectations, Hyundai now has a track record for setting the standard for reliability, quality, safety, convenience, technology and owner loyalty. It’s factual. You don’t have to like the Hyundai to acknowledge it. The 2011 Equis luxury model above is an example of the new wind blowing across the Pacific from Seoul. Among other things, Hyundai seems to understand location. It will be a brilliant coupe for Hyundai if it can locate on Laird Drive, where Gyro Mazda is now trying to place a Hyundai showroom opposite its existing dealership. All previous Hyundai posts.
It may look a bit like a sea mammal out of water but the Volkswagen XL1 concept car is going to make it to the production line. No one thought it would. And it will be the most efficient production car anywhere, the company says. Volkswagen’s Formula XL1 Concept is a plug-in hybrid, meaning that it’s capable of running on battery power alone for awhile, and then if you need the extra range, it’s got a tiny two cylinder diesel engine that can extend its range. Reportedly, it gets a staggering 260 miles per gallon. Volkswagen says that it will be producing about a hundred XL1s, to be made available first in Germany and later in the U.S.
Gyro Mazda, the long-time local dealership, is applying for approvals to open a Hyundai dealership across the street from its 40-year-old business on the west side of Laird Drive. The plan would transform the northeast corner at Laird and Industirial St. (left) into a new showroom and sales facility for Hyundai cars. Hyundai, the South Korean car maker, is attempting to break out into the mainstream of North American auto buyers. But the plan has to leap some municipal hurdles. The proposed site is part of the Del truck body property. Gyro told the South Bayview Bulldog today that with regulatory approval, including re-zoning, demolition and construction, it might be more than a year before a dealership could open.
Shoppers Drug Mart is on the hunt for a new chief after it was announced Wednesday that CEO Jurgen Schreiber is quitting the drug giant. Shoppers is an anchor in every business district and street in the country. The move comes suddenly after Shoppers had it first earnings decline since 2001. During his tenure, Schreiber oversaw the somewhat revolutionary two-storey drug store format (right) at Shoppers. As is known, such a location will be installed on South Bayview in the old Bayview Playhouse. Schreiber will be replaced temporarily by Chairman David Williams, a former food retail executive, until a permanent successor is found. 
Of course in Toronto they are protected from adventurous human carnivores, but raccoons (like this one seen last night on Roxborough Ave. W.) are a delicacy in many parts of the world. That’s when they’re cooked of course. It’s also an adventure to even speak about such things in this happy municipality, where all things great and small survive the roasting pan in perpetuity. If you’re adventurous, take a look at The Food Detective: Raccoon for Dinner? Photo by Peter Rehak.
Spurred no doubt by the imminent arrival of hundreds of Target stores, Wal Mart has announced that it will open 40 new stores across Canada. Great, if you like that sort of thing. On the same day, Yorkdale, the mall that ate North York, announced that it will add 40 stores. Some of them will be pretty big too. Apparently Riocan is talking to discount mall operator Tanger for the use of some of that space. These retail titans will now duke it out with other big U.S. operators such as Costco and T.J. Maxx (Winners, Homesense, Marshalls) for the big box buck. Where to go, where to go? It’s like trying to do your grocery shopping at ten supermarkets. On South Bayview, we should never worry about such things. Let’s just talk service. If you like a challenge, try to find it at the boxes. Oh yes, there’s lots of talk in the commercials about how much they love you, but try to find it at the checkout. No, our only wish is for the City of Toronto to stay off the necks of small business. We know, that’s a lot to ask. 