Just discovered this one via Collation's uploads today. Maybe someone else more tech-savvy can post the picture better?
432 Queen E, 1989:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/32175940@N06/5230589168/sizes/z/in/photostream/
Today (note the third storey!):
http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&sou...RZO35SfYdPUeAOoxwVSLWg&cbp=12,346.43,,0,-2.26
I had always thought there was something fishy about this building. Interesting to note the abandoned storefronts in the 1989 picture. Also, if you zoom in, I wonder if that's part of a Wittenveen Meats & Deli sign (WV has other stores in Toronto on Bloor West, as well as a stall in St Lawrence market).
Bestway / Bikoe building: they may have gutted the old building to the walls - it's nice to see a reasonably sympathetic renovation, although some here with more refined eyes may tell us otherwise.
Wittenveen Meats... in 1989 they had already vacated these premises; there couldn't have been much walk-in traffic here. At the St. Lawrence Market on Saturdays they usually have a prepared hot item like a roast or ribs. Why cook when it's already done for you?
December 7 addition.
Then. 1960 something. We are looking at the NW corner of Richmond and Queen. For you out-of-towners, or those that don't venture downtown
, that's the Simpson's department store all decked out for Christmas. For most of the 20th century, Simpsons and the Eatons department stores duked it out for the retail dollar of Canadian consumers. I don't know which was the larger chain, I
think it was Eatons.
In 1960s New York City our Simpsons and Eatons example might be B. Altman and Macys. Perhaps LI Mike will chime in.
This Simpsons store had a gun and fishing tackle department that carried extremely high end stuff - Purdey shot guns - that rested on velvet in wooden cases, Hardy of England fly fishing reels and bamboo rods. Terrific stuff for wealthy sportsmen adults that this kid couldn't afford. I did manage to buy a vinyl case for fishing flies. Still have it, see below. Call it an aspirational purchase. My fly rod and reel came from Canadian Tire.
Now. December 6 2010. Our Simpsons store is now The Bay. The Bay has some splendid Christmas Windows on Queen street worth the looking.
