Competition Bureau sues TREB

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The federal government’s competition bureau says the Toronto Real Estate Board (TREB) is preventing its agents from setting up what the bureau calls “virtual office websites” which would permit customers to search a full inventory of listings containing all available data on listed properties. How does this happen? Right now, TREB restricts the MLS information that its member agents can give to clients. The 31,000 agents may provide information by hand, mail, fax, or email but they may not give the client access to the MSL information online. According to the competition bureau this is an anti-competitive practice which effectively prevents agents from providing the same MLS listing information to customers via a password-protected website. This prevents agents from setting up “virtual office websites,” which would permit customers to search a full inventory of listings containing all of the available data. The bureau has launched a suit to force TREB to permit full access.

Bayview Blockbuster to close June 19

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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.

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).

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.