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Woodbine Centre

Most of the stores that occupy the Woodbine are basically selling the same liquidated Closeout King merchandise.
That's correct, the owner was trying to fill in the stores that had previously closed with his liquidated merchandise to create the illusion to prospective tenants/customers that these units are real stores with real lease agreements. That way the mall doesn't look as dead as it really is. Sometimes the cashiers in these shops were his relatives and many times you would see one cashier manage 2 or 3 shops at the same time.
 
It’s all of Chris Hinn’s merchandise from his stores around the GTA. Did you ever go to the Stanfield store? It was the size of 3-4 walmart stores! Those trailers are packed with that product and who knows where it’ll go…
I would imagine those tractor trailers were parked at the Woodbine (and later RBC parking lot) to get ready to gut the mall.
Most of the stores that occupy the Woodbine are basically selling the same liquidated Closeout King merchandise.

One would think with the change of ownership, those trucks would be moving in and out more often. My only other theory
is that Mr. Hinn was renting out the parking lot as a storage lot for other companies. Wouldn't be the first time the Woodbine's
property was used for such 'extracurricular' activities.
 
Out of curiosity, would you happen to know the name of the second company that purchased the Woodbine before Sunpact?..
FWIW, this article from 2008 said Woodbine Centre was "managed by Darton Property".
I don't know if the Peter McCallion mentioned in the article (as being the mall's general manager at that time) is Hazel's son.
 
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FWIW, this article from 2008 said Woodbine Centre was "managed by Darton Property".
I don't know if the Peter McCallion mentioned in the article (as being the mall's general manager at that time) is Hazel's son.

I found more writing online to support Darton Property's temporary ownership of the Woodbine:


"In 2008, proposed development of an entertainment centre at Woodbine Racetrack and the closure of national stores like Shoppers Drug Mart fuelled rumours that the mall was closing. Instead, then-owners Darton Property planned renovations to washrooms.

The mall was used in the filming of 1987's "Police Academy 4: Citizens on Patrol", where David Spade is seen skateboarding through the mall.

As of 2016, the assessed value of the property was $96,708,000. Woodbine Mall Holdings Inc. owed over a half-million in unpaid taxes that year."



Someone needs to update this article to feature the Chris Hinn saga.
 
... Someone needs to update this article to feature the Chris Hinn saga.
link
The debt is said to be in the hundreds of millions, the owner a ghost in the wind.
I think I can guess what happens next.
The indoor amusement park gets closed down because it's haunted.
The Mystery Machine van arrives at Woodbine Mall with four teenagers and their Great Dane.
They investigate, catch, and unmask the mall's former owner, who immediately says something like "And I would have gotten away with it too, if it weren't for you meddling kids!"
ScoobyDoo100pxls.png
 
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While the Woodbine Centre could be used as a horror themed experience (escape rooms, light shows, halloween-centric events), there's a few hurdles going against the mall.

For starters, the most successful events are housed in major tourist destinations. Casa Loma's Legends of Horror and Wonderland's Halloween Haunt, for example are major
tourisit hotspots attracting millions of visitors each season. The closest attraction the mall has going for it is the Woodbine Racetrack, and even then, horses/slot machines
aren't the first thing I would think of as a tourist when looking for a scare event in Toronto.

Secondly, as someone who has worked for Halloween-based events in the past, preparation for these types of events takes months of setup. Loma's prop setup begins in March
to be ready for September. While the Halloween event is going on, workers are already preparing gadgets for the Winter events in the weeks to follow. To compete with such a
workrate, The Woodbine would have to invest in a number of props, animatronics, as well as hiring an able team of talented technicians just to have an environment ready for
guests to visit in time for the holidays. A considerable overhead cost that the mall may not wish to invest in.

And that's not including the costs of site managers, supervisors, security and actors.

I will say though, it would be awesome to convert the Woodbine into a zombie escape room. Moreso, a loosely-based homage to the mall scenes from Dawn of The Dead.

In the past, the Woodbine has made extra revenue by loaning out it's mall as a filming location to movie companies. The idea of gutting all of the stores and using the mall as a
year-round set piece would be a costly endeavor. With rent costs these days, and filming invites few and far between, I don't have much faith in the Woodbine being converted
into such. The Woodbine has always relied on generating income by charging rent to it's tenants first and foremost.
 
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While the Woodbine Centre could be used as a horror themed experience (escape rooms, light shows, halloween-centric events), there's a few hurdles going against the mall.

For starters, the most successful events are housed in major tourist destinations. Casa Loma's Legends of Horror and Wonderland's Halloween Haunt, for example are major
tourisit hotspots attracting millions of visitors each season. The closest attraction the mall has going for it is the Woodbine Racetrack, and even then, horses/slot machines
aren't the first thing I would think of as a tourist when looking for a scare event in Toronto.

Secondly, as someone who has worked for Halloween-based events in the past, preparation for these types of events takes months of setup. Loma's prop setup begins in March
to be ready for September. While the Halloween event is going on, workers are already preparing gadgets for the Winter events in the weeks to follow. To compete with such a
workrate, The Woodbine would have to invest in a number of props, animatronics, as well as hiring an able team of talented technicians just to have an environment ready for
guests to visit in time for the holidays. A considerable overhead cost that the mall may not wish to invest in.

And that's not including the costs of site managers, supervisors, security and actors.

I will say though, it would be awesome to convert the Woodbine into a zombie escape room. Moreso, a loosely-based homage to the mall scenes from Dawn of The Dead.

In the past, the Woodbine has made extra revenue by loaning out it's mall as a filming location to movie companies. The idea of gutting all of the stores and using the mall as a
year-round set piece would be a costly endeavor. With rent costs these days, and filming invites few and far between, I don't have much faith in the Woodbine being converted
into such. The Woodbine has always relied on generating income by charging rent to it's tenants first and foremost.
I dunno.. I’m thinking they make it an indoor go kart track. Think of weaving and darting amongst the pipes of junk in the stores! Just like Mario Kart! They already have those filthy ride on animals!
 
I was surprised to discover that the theater located inside the Fantasy Fair was, in fact, in operation.

fantasy-fair-1370232-1-2633412-regular.jpg


A single screened affair residing over where the Fair's where McDonald's used to be.

MallShots_045.jpg


Are those cushioned embedded into the chair or speakers for added effect?

XDSimulator.jpg


Bright smiles as everyone enjoys a family-friendly viewing of Friday The 13th Part XVIII: Jason's Not Done Killing - The Final Chapter.
 
From Naija Eatery's Instragram:

"Naija Eatery located in the Woodbine Mall Food Court in Etobicoke serves delicious Nigerian Cusines. You can expect a culinary journey like no other!"

Did Naija take over Osmow's in the Food Court?
 
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From Naija Eatery's Instragram:

"Naija Eatery located in the Woodbine Mall Food Court in Etobicoke serves delicious Nigerian Cusines. You can expect a culinary journey like no other!"

Did Naija take over Osmow's in the Food Court?
Imagine if at the grand opening in 1985 Cadillac Fairview got a sneak peak at the state of Woodbine 39 years after opening…
 
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