#ThrowbackThursday Yorkdale Shopping Centre I don’t understand Yorkdale Shopping Centre. I mean how much land does that mall have that it can keep expanding? It was only last November that the mall opened its most recent expansion and on Monday it was announced once again that the mall would be expanding. Contrary to the impression you may have got from my initial paragraph I am actually excited for the project. In Monday’s release Yorkdale Shopping Centre said it would be adding 300,000 square feet and that 188,000 of that square feet will be dedicated to a Nordstrom. Now yes we all know that Sherway Gardens will be getting the first Nordstrom in Toronto, but what is important about this Nordstrom announcement is that it marks the department stores first deal with Oxford Properties Group as opposed to all their previous deals with Cadillac Fairview, illustrating that the brand is ready to invade more Canadian malls.  Now Yorkdale Shopping Centre prides itself to being a mall of firsts as they introduce a number of international retailers to Canadian market.  However, even though Nordstrom will not be the first in Canada or Ontario, the new expansion does promise to bring even more foreign brands to Toronto. Regardless as I was looking through the malls website I noticed that in the coming year there will be a number of retailers making their first appearance in the Canadian market. In fact most recently Yorkdale welcomed the first AllSaints to Canada and will eventually welcome David Yurman, John Varvatos, Mulberry, White House| Black Market and my favourite Zara Home. Also finally opening at Yorkdale are honey, Massimo Dutti, Stuart Weitzman, Feragamo and LEGO. So before you read the original post on Yorkdale Shopping Centre post for #ThrowbackThurday let’s do a quick comparison on Toronto’s two Nordstroms that will be coming in 2016. Yorkdale Shopping Centre Nordstrom vs. Sherway Gardens Nordstrom New store will be built next to Silver City and open in 2016 vs. New store will be build where the Sporting Life is currently. It will be open in 2016. Three levels at 188,000 square feet vs. Two levels at 138,000 square feet Will be right on the subway line vs. Have to take a bus Artist rendering of exterior makes it look like a modern structure will feature a lot of natural lighting vs. Artist rendering of interior entrance suggest that the tent will provide a open concept feel leading up to the stores mall entrance. #ThrowbackThursday Post Yorkdale Shopping Centre Yorkdale Shopping Centre Expansion Image: Image 1
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#ThrowbackThursday

Yorkdale Shopping Centre

I don’t understand Yorkdale Shopping Centre. I mean how much land does that mall have that it can keep expanding? It was only last November that the mall opened its most recent expansion and on Monday it was announced once again that the mall would be expanding.

Contrary to the impression you may have got from my initial paragraph I am actually excited for the project. In Monday’s release Yorkdale Shopping Centre said it would be adding 300,000 square feet and that 188,000 of that square feet will be dedicated to a Nordstrom. Now yes we all know that Sherway Gardens will be getting the first Nordstrom in Toronto, but what is important about this Nordstrom announcement is that it marks the department stores first deal with Oxford Properties Group as opposed to all their previous deals with Cadillac Fairview, illustrating that the brand is ready to invade more Canadian malls. 

Now Yorkdale Shopping Centre prides itself to being a mall of firsts as they introduce a number of international retailers to Canadian market.  However, even though Nordstrom will not be the first in Canada or Ontario, the new expansion does promise to bring even more foreign brands to Toronto. Regardless as I was looking through the malls website I noticed that in the coming year there will be a number of retailers making their first appearance in the Canadian market. In fact most recently Yorkdale welcomed the first AllSaints to Canada and will eventually welcome David Yurman, John Varvatos, Mulberry, White House| Black Market and my favourite Zara Home. Also finally opening at Yorkdale are honey, Massimo Dutti, Stuart Weitzman, Feragamo and LEGO.

So before you read the original post on Yorkdale Shopping Centre post for #ThrowbackThurday let’s do a quick comparison on Toronto’s two Nordstroms that will be coming in 2016.

Yorkdale Shopping Centre Nordstrom vs. Sherway Gardens Nordstrom

  1. New store will be built next to Silver City and open in 2016 vs. New store will be build where the Sporting Life is currently. It will be open in 2016.
  2. Three levels at 188,000 square feet vs. Two levels at 138,000 square feet
  3. Will be right on the subway line vs. Have to take a bus
  4. Artist rendering of exterior makes it look like a modern structure will feature a lot of natural lighting vs. Artist rendering of interior entrance suggest that the tent will provide a open concept feel leading up to the stores mall entrance.

#ThrowbackThursday Post

Image:

Why I Love Christmas In Toronto

The Toronto Eaton Centre

Remember my Ode to Eaton’s a few days back? Well in that ode I said that the Eaton’s name has been associated with Christmas in Toronto for years. Well now we go to the modern association of that name – Toronto Eaton Centre. Every year the mega mall puts on an amazing Christmas display. This year the star/ waterfall light show returned to the Queen Street portion of the mall and the giant reindeer have reappeared. Furthermore, the Ferrero Rocher Tree was relocated to the Sears mall entrance way as opposed to in front of the Urban Eatery.  

The major difference this year is the ever modern Christmas Tree located in centre court next to the PINK by Victoria’s Secret. Unlike the full green trees they traditionally have, this year’s tree is very modern and green-less. I think it may be best just to look at the Instagram I took of the tree because I know I will butcher the description.  Alas, I will try. The tree has these panels that form a triangle to make the shape of the tree. Now the panels are spaced out so you can see the inside of the tree which is decorated with ornaments. The cool part though is that the tree lights up and illuminates all the colours of the rainbow.

Eaton is a name that is not forgotten to us during Christmas and will forever be a part of this city during the holiday season. So If you haven’t had the chance to I say head down to do some last minute shopping at the Toronto Eaton Centre tomorrow and check out the Christmas Display.  

That is Why I Love Christmas in Toronto

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Toronto Eaton Centre

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  • My Own

Why I Loved/ Still Love Toronto

Louis Vuitton in Yorkville

Way back in the early days of Why I Love Toronto I expressed my love for the Louis Vuitton that was located in the heart (near Bay and Bloor) of the upscale neighbourhood that is Yorkville. In that post I criticized the company’s decision to move that location to what I referred to as the start of Yorkville on Avenue Rd. and Bloor St. West. My concern was that the new Louis Vuitton would be a boring modernized boutique. Well after visiting the store a few weeks ago I found that I was both right and wrong.  

The building is very modern and upscale and has a similar façade to that of the Gucci and Burberry next door. The façade really has no character to it. However, when you walk inside the boutique (or maison as some may call it) the amount of space this location has allows for these wonderful floor to ceiling displays and a more open concept that the past location could not accommodate. In that sense I do like that aspect of the new location.  

However, the former location, which now sits abandoned, makes me hate the new boutique.  The former Louis Vuitoon was located in an old looking house, which was probably a Victorian home that was once used as living quarters when Yorkville was a residential area. Even though the interior was modified the silhouette of the house was left.  Whether I am right and this was a former residence is unknown for there is no history on the building nor is it a heritage property. However, if you know the history of Yorkville then you know there is a very  good possibility that this was a home. I personally think the fact that it had the silhouette of a house is what made the store stand out and why people always took pictures of the store or just simply stared at it. Unlike the plain, modern and shiny boutiques that line the street the former Louis Vuitton had character.

Now that the store has moved, what will be the fate of this building? Currently it sits as an empty property in Yorkville, and the window is covered with a simple sign encouraging costumers to visit the new boutique to the west. I honestly hope and new designer will move into the building (Ann Taylor, Kate Spade New York maybe?) and I hope that it doesn’t become the latest condo project.

That is Why I Love Toronto. 

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Images

  • 1-3 by Me
  • 4 from Google Maps

Why I Love Toronto

Sherway Gardens Update!

Sherway Gardens announced late last month that it would begin expanding into the north parking lot early next year with new retail space.  When the announcement was first made there were lot a gaps and questions that I still had in terms of what was going to be done (click here for the original post!). Well now we have some new details about what will be happening at Sherway Gardens!

  1. The Food court will be moved to the second floor of the new expansion.
  2. Sporting Life will be demolished for Nordstrom. Sporting Life will relocate in the expansion.
  3. Harry Rosen will expand
  4. JOEY Sherway and P.F. Chang’s will be two of four new restaurants coming to Sherway Gardens
  5. New light fixtures will be installed
  6. The tent will be restored! It will not be torn down!

What’s Up Tdot!?

Nordstrom landing in the Tdot Fall 2016

Yes, 2016 is like a life time away, but I think it will be worth the wait. Today Cadillac Fairview announced they would opening four Nordstrom locations across Canada and one of them being at Sherway Gardens. Working at Sherway Gardens I know big things are going down with a clean up of all the stores in the mall and a n expansion on the way. However, I never though that Sherway would build a two level, 138,000 square foot department store! I just assumed they would close Sears. However, this is probably the first major announcement of the malls proposed renovation!  

Anyway, Nordstrom is coming at the peak of new American Retailers entering the Canadian market. Target is coming with its first store at Cloverdale Mall in Spring of 2013 and other retial giants like Ann Taylor and Loft are coming. Not to mention the probable slew of first time American stores possibly coming to the new Yorkdale Expansion.

Anyways I love department stores and I thought I would post the links to all the department store related posts I did for Why I Love Toronto. They include:

College Park (The old Eaton Centre)

Toronto Eaton Centre

Toronto Eaton Centre at Christmas

Timothy Eaton Statue

The Bay/ Former Simpsons on Queen

The Bay Holiday Window

Arcadian Court

The Holt Renfrew Holiday Window

That’s What’s Up Tdot!?

Why I Love Toronto Reason #334

PATH

Underneath Toronto right before you hit Ninja Turtle Territory and the TTC is an underground mall. PATH is a 28 km underground walkway with retail stores, services and entertainment. The PATH has such a variety of stores for you to shop at with some common stores you may see above ground and other little no name stores you are most likely only to find underground or in random plaza’s. The PATH has a number of retail stores which include clothing stores for men and women as well as jewelry and arts stores as well. They have services ranging from shoe repair, framing, photocopying, male grooming and travel as well as food venues located in food court like areas or scattered throughout mixed in with the other services underneath.  The PATH is actually considered the largest underground shopping complex according to the Guinness World Records and also hosts the world’s largest underground sidewalk sale.

What I love about the PATHs website is how it describes its shopping experience. To them it is an exploration. I 100% agree with that because if you have ever been in the PATH it truly is a place to explore and get lost in. I know downtown Toronto so well I could walk around with my eyes close and tell people where to go without even looking in the direction. That is because I know the streets, the buildings and the sounds of the area. If someone were to ask me how to get to this building while in the PATH I’d be like “I have no clue where civilization is!” but that is the fun part about PATH, getting lost and finding little hidden gems underneath the city of Toronto. Also let’s be honest when it’s like 100 degrees outside, the snow is up to your knees and it is so cool you feel like you are in The Day After Tomorrow, the PATH is nice escape. In fact a city report in the 60’s noted the need for a space that wasn’t too crowed by human beings and a place to relieve the full capacity that the city sidewalks had to deal with. The first part of the PATH is said to have opened in 1973.

Another cool thing to note is that each letter in the word PATH represents a direction – I just thought it was cool and colourful! Anyways, the P is red and represents south, the A is orange and represents west, T is blue for north and H is yellow for east. These letters are there to help guide you through the underground complex and to some of the major Toronto building and landmarks that are connected to it.

Overall the PATH is an interesting place to get lost in. Like I said you can find some of the most random places here and I will admit there are areas of the PATH which look really dumpy, but still it is a really cool area to get to explore when you have the time because you can get lost pretty easily guaranteed.

That Is Why I Love Toronto. 

Why I Love Toronto Reason #241

Timmie Doggie Outfitters

My dad’s birthday is tomorrow and 8 years ago we got him a gift that could never be topped. We got him his Tequila. Now even though Tequila is an alcoholic drink that is not what we got him. No Tequila is the dog we got him! Now my dad loves to get our dog everything – I mean I was never spoiled as a child, but this dog gets to go on spa days, retreats and he gets the best treats that a dog can get as well as homemade meals!

Timmie Doggie Outfitter is a dog boutique and on its website says it carries clothing, accessories designer toys (which I didn’t know dogs toys could be), treats, gourmet food and they provide grooming services. The store was started by Paul Ryu and Georges Khayat who were graphic designers. The name Timmie comes from the dog they had/ maybe still have which inspired them to create the ultimate pooch experience. The store has two locations one in Queen West near Trinity Bell Woods and the other in Leslieville.

In all seriousness this is a great pet store and their marketing techniques are pretty rad as well. In the winter you can bring your pet to get their picture taken with Santa, and on their blog they post adoption notices and missing signs for animals.

Animals become part of the family and when you send them off to get groomed or go to find them products you want the best for them. You want someone who will take care of them and someone who knows what is best for them in terms of food and toys etc. You want an animal lover or owner. When you go to big pet chain stores, I feel as those they hire people who just need a job and don’t understand what its like to have an animal. In boutiques the employees, I find, are usually animal lovers themselves and are active in the animal community.

So if you want to go to a unique pet store I definitely recommend coming to Timmie Doggie Outfitters. It is a reason why Tequlia and myself

Love Toronto.