The South Bayview Bulldog

Whole Foods, Bayview & Broadway, August 16, 2025 /South Bayview Bulldog

After eight years as a neighbourhood staple, the Whole Foods at 1860 Bayview Avenue in Leaside and its counterpart at Yonge & Sheppard are closing their doors on August 22. The surprise announcement, confirmed by Whole Foods representatives, comes as the company says it is “positioning for long-term success” and planning new locations in the city. (BlogTO, CTV News, Toronto Star)

The Leaside store, which opened in April 2017 to much fanfare, occupies the second floor of the complex at Bayview and Broadway. Many in the community will remember its grand opening as the long-awaited arrival in 2017. (South Bayview Bulldog archive)

Shoppers looking to stock up before the final day have been taking advantage of some serious markdowns. A closing sale began Saturday, August 16, with discounts starting at 50% off and climbing to 70% off by Monday. The deep cuts will continue until the doors officially close on the 22nd. (BlogTO)

If you’ve been to Leaside in the past few days, you may have noticed shoppers leaving with overflowing paper bags. Community Facebook groups lit up over the weekend with reports of long lineups—including waits just to reach the elevator—and shelves looking bare by Sunday. Some residents joked that with nothing left to sell, the store might not make it to its planned closing date.

Whole Foods says the decision isn’t tied to Amazon ownership or global trade issues, but rather to underperformance at these locations. A company spokesperson confirmed that no other closures are planned at this time, and that existing stores in Yorkville and Markham will continue operating. Meanwhile, a new downtown location on King Street West is set to open in 2026. (BlogTO, CTV News)

As for what’s next for the soon-to-be-vacant Bayview space? That’s a mystery, but residents will be watching closely. For now, if you’re hoping to grab some last-minute deals—or just say goodbye—you’ll need to act fast. Judging by the empty shelves, the neighbourhood has already cleaned house.

The tree before it was felled, pictured here in June 2021. /Google Maps

A large and much-loved tree on a Leaside corner lot was recently cut down without a permit — despite the City of Toronto having approved design changes meant to preserve it. Residents say they woke up on June 25th to the sound of chainsaws at 712 Eglinton Ave. E., where a fourplex is currently under construction. The City has since launched an investigation. Local councillor Rachel Chernos Lin and the Leaside Residents Association are calling for stronger enforcement tools to protect Toronto’s urban canopy.

Watch CBC’s video report below and read the full story at CBC Toronto.

The vacant storefront at 323 Moore Ave., formerly home to Dove Cleaners, may soon be absorbed into the adjacent Rexall Drug Store at 325 Moore Ave. A building permit application submitted to the City on July 7th proposes interior alterations that would expand the pharmacy into the neighbouring space. The application, which is still under review, describes the work as “interior alterations to expand interior space of an existing pharmacy store – Rexall Pharmacy Store.”

Double double coming to a corner near you

“Coming soon” signs for Tim Hortons have appeared in the windows of 878 Eglinton Avenue East, at the northwest corner of Eglinton Avenue E and Laird Drive. The corner spot — originally a 1940s-era TD Bank — was home to Starbucks from 2012 to 2020, and more recently, Hakim Optical.

Vozara brings Persian flavours to former food hall

The space at 856–858 Eglinton Avenue East — once home to East York Eats, a food hall that included vendors like Conspiracy Pizza — has a new occupant. Vozara Food Factory has moved in, offering a “taste of Persian food, right in Midtown Toronto,” according to its website. Vozara has retained the pizza ovens from the former tenant and offers a variety of pizzas alongside its Persian fare. The address has seen several tenants over the years, including a stint as Shoeless Joe’s.

We’ve covered their visit, we’ve shared the video — but now, you can learn the real story behind the goats who munched their way through the Don Valley Brickworks.

Ian Matthews, the man behind Goats in the City, left a successful mortgage career to rekindle a childhood fascination with goats — now putting them to work controlling invasive plants across southern Ontario.

📖 Read more in Toronto Life: I traded my lucrative career as a mortgage broker to shepherd goats