Staff at the Bayview Ave. Blockbuster have been given their notice and the store will close June 19, 2011, they report this morning. Remarkably, Blockbuster will shut every store in Toronto except two. These are located at some distance to South Bayview in the east and west parts of the city. In the meantime, all stock is for sale at 30 percent off.
New trains in service soon on Yonge line
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• The TTC has confirmed that Toronto’s new subway trains will go into service in a few days on the Yonge Street line. The TTC announcement is here. There was a media run today as the National Post reports
Renovations underway for private daycare
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• Huge hoardings are up at the front of the commercial building at 1432 and 1434 Bayview Ave. at Balliol Street. The wood shielding will prevent any pedestrian injuries as workmen gut and re-make the property on both floors. The finished building will be the home of Leaside Private Daycare. As reported earlier by the South Bayview Bulldog, this established firm is planning to open here in the Fall. At right, a shot at the rear of the building on Balliol. This structure was recently home to Sport Swap, which has moved up the street, as well as a defunct optical business and a fingernail esthetician.
Overlea Zellers to become a Target soon
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• The Zellers in the East York Town Centre on Overlea Blvd is slated to be among the first six stores in Toronto that are converted to the Target brand. Suspense has been high since Target purchased the leases to Zellers stores earlier this year. The U.S. retailer will sell off some of those stores. But it appears that the local Zellers will be converted to a Target in the near future. More here.
Reviewing our new Shoppers Drug Mart
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•As expected, our new Shoppers Drug Mart is a dazzling place with much attractive inventory. Product lines range through the essential cosmetics to such things as cameras. Also as expected, customers must pass a short distance through cosmetics to get to the rest of the store. Interestingly, Shoppers has reversed the locations of the dispensary and the food market from earlier versions of the two story Shoppers. In these, the dispensary is on the first floor and the food is on the second. Clearly, there will be a greater demand on the first level for impulse purchases from the food market. The dispensary, on the other hand, is pretty much an obligatory destination. There are stairs and an elevator. The selection of food items is quite extensive. Many people will be prompted to pick up a quick dinner. Exiting of the store is a bit curious. There are two rather narrow check out lanes and if you just want to leave, you have to push past waiting customers. Maybe its a protection against pilferers. Finally, the post office is upstairs, with what seems to be more space for this essential service. If you have an impression of the new Shoppers, please leave a comment. You can do so anonymously.
Holdup reported at McRae and Millwood
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•TPS reports — A 15 year old female and two 14 year old females report that on May 20, 2011 at approximately 2230 hours they were in the vicinity of McCrae Drive and Millwood Road when they were approached by two male suspects, one armed with a handgun and one wearing a disguise. The suspects made a demand for the victim’s property. The victims complied handing over two cell phones, money and a knapsack. The suspects fled the scene in an unknown direction. No injuries were sustained by the victims. Police are requesting the assistance of the public in identifying the following described persons in connection with this offence. Description of Suspect #1: Male, black, 6’1”-6’3”, 130-150 pounds, thin build. Suspect #2: Male, 18-25 years, 5’11”-6’0”, 130-150 pounds, thin build
Bob Rae hits right note with Liberals
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• Rosedale-Toronto Centre MP Bob Rae has been named interim leader of the Liberal Party of Canada. He promised to help rebuild the once dominent party, which was bounced out of the Official Opposition spot in the May 2 election. Rae struck the right note of humility telling reporters that voters sent “a very clear and tough message in the last election. We know that we have a lot of rebuilding to do.” Mr. Rae, 62, an accomplished pianist, referenced a popular jazz standard when he said Liberals must “pick ourselves up, dust ourselves off, and start all over again.” (We all know what piano playing did for Stephen Harper).
Store at 1600 Bayview now up for rent
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•The vacant Sleuth of Baker Street building at 1600 Bayview now has a For Rent sign in the window. This brings an end at least to speculation over whether the owners would use it themelves, sell it or rent. It appears to be the last of these options. Those interested may call 416 898 0103.
140 Blockbusters to close within month
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•Contrary to earlier reports that only a few Blockbuster stores would close, it appears that close to 35% of Blockbusters in Canada’s are set to close their doors on June 18. Several reports point to 140 locations closing less than a month from today, resulting in job losses upwards of 1,400. More to come
Tim Hortons president abruptly out
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• In what appears to have been the result of friction in carpet country, the long-time president of Tim Hortons, Don Schroeder (left) has suddenly left the company. The board of Tim Hortons made the announcement this morning. Executive chair Paul House, who once held the top job in the company, will take on the role again on a temporary basis, the board said. Two weeks ago, Tim Hortons reported quarterly results that missed analysts’ expectations, disappointing investors. The stock price promptly tumbled by more than four per cent. CBC.ca story.
John Creighton to be honoured June 3, 2011
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•Very nice story here on plans to hold a fundraising dinner to honour John Creighton. He was a lifelong Leaside resident who died suddenly on March 27. It will be held at Originals on Thursday, June 3. The story tells of plans to raise enough money to name one of the dressing rooms at the expanded arena after Mr. Creighton. Here.
Pottery Road closed until September 5
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•South Bayview and area drivers are warned that Pottery Road, that 19th century path across the Don Valley, is now closed and will remain so for repairs until September 5, 2011, the last day of the Labour Day weekend. Of course locals know how to find the alternative route over the Millwood bridge, but it will be busy this summer. There are other road closings in town and they are described here.