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Woodbine Centre

Continuing to die a slow death, more photos of Woodbine Centre from then and now:


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Sears in its heyday.

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This photo was taken in 2020.

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Taken in May of 2021. Now abandoned.

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Circa 1985.

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And now...

Photos taken/submitted by Eugenio Arcilesi.
 

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Continuing to die a slow death, more photos of Woodbine Centre from then and now:


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Sears in its heyday.

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This photo was taken in 2020.

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Taken in May of 2021. Now abandoned.

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Circa 1985.

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And now...

Photos and some captions by Eugenio Arcilesi.

Further proof this mall is toast.

Morningside Mall went the same way. They lost Woolco, then Wal-Mart came in and around 2007 that also left. Then Metro started to die as the area changed demographically.

What ended up happening was that they tore down the Wal-Mart section and without a major anchor the mall died. It was tore down soon after and replaced with a glorified strip mall.

The Wal-Mart moved to Cinemart Drive in Scarborough (Morningside and Sheppard) while the Metro was downgraded to a Food Basics.
 
On a related note, the 747 Flea Market (Steeles Avenue) just closed down.

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If only Amazon turned the 747 into a fulfillment centre instead...I wouldn't be surprised if Dr. Flea's follows suit.
 

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On a related note, the 747 Flea Market (Steeles Avenue) just closed down.

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If only Amazon turned the 747 into a fulfillment centre instead...I wouldn't be surprised if Dr. Flea's follows suit.

Flea Markets in general are a thing of the past.

Just before the Pickering Flea Market closed down it had multiple booths hocking the EXACT same merchandise. They had several booths owned by different people selling the same knock off sunglasses. Several other booths sold knock off perfume and even more sold refurbished or liquidated electronics.

None of it was of any quality, none of it had a warranty and none of it was going to last more than week.

I would rather buy my products at a reputable location. I want properly coated sunglasses, electronics that will not jolt me across the room and cologne that will not leave a rash.

I will buy my Chanel No. 666 elsewhere.
 
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Flea Markets in general are a thing of the past.

Just before the Pickering Flea Market closed down it had multiple booths hocking the EXACT same merchandise. They had several booths owned by different people selling the same knock off sunglasses. Several other booths sold knock off perfume and even more sold refurbished or liquidated electronics.

None of it was of any quality, none of it had a warranty and none of it was going to last more than week.

I would rather buy my products at a reputable location. I want properly coated sunglasses, electronics that will not jolt me across the room and cologne that will not leave a rash.

I will buy my Chanel No. 666 elsewhere.
Since your avatar info says you're located in Scarborough, give Cosmetic Warehouse Outlet a try. 1333 Kennedy Road. I have a friend who grew tired of Woodbine Centre's prices and now buys directly from there
whenever he's in the area.

Funny enough, I've been told that Cosmetic Warehouse has managed to stay open due to the fact that they also sell sanitation products. As soon as you walk in the door, actually.
 
Since your avatar info says you're located in Scarborough, give Cosmetic Warehouse Outlet a try. 1333 Kennedy Road. I have a friend who grew tired of Woodbine Centre's prices and now buys directly from there
whenever he's in the area.

Funny enough, I've been told that Cosmetic Warehouse has managed to stay open due to the fact that they also sell sanitation products. As soon as you walk in the door, actually.

My preference is the bay but I'll check it out. I'm within walking distance of there.
 
Some more Woodbine Centre ads from a time long gone:

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This clipping was from 1987. Did you or your friends sport any of the above looks back in the 80's?

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Photo credits: Eugenio Arcilesi.

This advert is from 1993. At one point in time, Woodbine was considered a hip destination. Nowadays, you'd have more fun getting an actual hip replacement.
 
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Everyone is welcomed to have a smoke while we wait for the Amazon Fantasy Prime Fair to open.

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A vintage matchbook from the neighbouring Ascot Inn. One of many matchbooks available on eBay from local
establishments.
 
Attached is an original Fantasy Fair game token. I assume the tokens were used in the Fair's Arcade.
Pictured on the tokens are Fantasy Fair's most famous and oldest ride - a horse from the 1911 Looff Carousel.

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While the exact date of these coins is unknown (sometime after 1985, obviously), I have come across similar tokens from
Shoppers World Albion:

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Unlike Woodbine's game tokens, these coins seem to have been Albion's version of Canadian Tire money.

Do you still have any Woodbine game tokens lying around?
 

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Let's travel back to 1985 when a postcard from the Woodbine Centre actually meant something:

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The front of the postcard showcasing Woodbine's front entrance and three additional shots of the Fantasy Fair.

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Photo credit: eBay seller - imbuzzy

As an added bonus, I've also added a postcard from the neighbouring Ascot Inn.


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Photo credit: ggaines1 from hippostcard.com
 

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I went to the Hudsons bay at Woodbine recently. shockingly it was somewhat busy. It was nice to experience. too bad it will be gone soon.
 
I went to the Hudsons bay at Woodbine recently. shockingly it was somewhat busy. It was nice to experience. too bad it will be gone soon.

Were they slashing prices?

An uncle in Rexdale mentioned a nearby Walmart had a 50% off sale recently and the store was also packed. I don't think it was
the Rexdale Plaza location. Maybe the one in Woodbridge or Caledon.
 
Were they slashing prices?

An uncle in Rexdale mentioned a nearby Walmart had a 50% off sale recently and the store was also packed. I don't think it was
the Rexdale Plaza location. Maybe the one in Woodbridge or Caledon.
yeah, lots of things were on sale. not huge discounts but still less than regular price
 
Just came back from a trip to this mall and, my god, what an apocalyptic s***show it is. 90% of shops shut, shoddily installed floor tiles begging for lawsuits, and a deserted Fantasy Fair that would not be out of place in Chernobyl...Woodbine Centre is a lost cause far beyond saving. Hopefully the pandemic kills off whatever life remains of this worthless and utterly obsolete retail ghetto.

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