56 and 58 Elizabeth Street. December 2, 1937. Joe's Cafe and Chop Suey. This charming cafe was on the northwest corner of the now completely vanished Louisa and Elizabeth.

I'll go ahead and say it: as non-controversial as I like to keep my posts here; as beloved and iconic as our New City Hall is; it sacrificed a vibrant neighbourhood of people were given no choice in the matter. The truncated remainder of Elizabeth street Chinatown was never the same again. Imagine if half of Kensington Market were removed...

Here's a handy 1924 map so you can get an idea of the lay of the land. 

Now. September 2012.