Wednesday, November 16, 2016

End Of An Era

Honest Ed's is an iconic discount store that  was opened in 1948 by Ed Mirvish at the corner of Bathurst & Bloor. It is huge and covers a whole city block and is covered by these wonderful signs which have over 23,000 lights on them. I know I have posted a night shot before but can't find it so will go back for a night shot soon as the store will close on December 31. Ed Mirvish died in 2007 and the store and the surrounding buildings which he owned have been sold and new development will take place in the whole area.
Taking part in Signs, Signs. Click HERE to see more signs from around the world.

26 comments:

Tom said...

...not many honest guys left.

Cloudia said...

Passing of an era for Toronto. Have a sweet week my friend!

Karl said...

Watching the thumbnail I thought it is the sign of a circus :)
Very big and eye-catching indeed !

Sharon said...

I remember seeing this place and I think I remember seeing your night time shot. That really is the end of an era. So, will another condo building go up?

Lowell said...

That's been there a long time! I find it sad to see an iconic landmark like this be torn down.

21 Wits said...

Oh dear it will surely be missed by many. It's amazing that he died that long ago and it survived until now, that's a good thing!

Stefan Jansson said...

Will they save that big and probably iconic sign somewhere?

PerthDailyPhoto said...

That's a shame Pat.. Steffe got in there just before me ☺ I wondered about the sign too. It's so distinctive I should imagine it would be missed if it disappeared from the street-scape!

LOLfromPasa said...

Too bad that family or someone couldn't find a way to keep it opened.

Mike@Bit About Britain said...

That's a shame. I bet whatever replaces it won't have half as much character.

Bill said...

That's sad that it will no longer be in the community. I do hope that they will save the sign somewhere.

Catalyst said...

I join the others in mourning the passing of this great place.

Marleen said...

23,000 lights. Wow!

Jim said...

Sad end of an era.

Christine said...

Such an iconic place with fantastic signage. A pity it has to go as time moves on...

Taken For Granted said...

Great sign, sad that it is the end of an era.

William Kendall said...

I've never actually been in there.

Revrunner said...

Well, I sure hope he was honest.

TexWisGirl said...

awww. a piece of your culture closing...

The Furry Gnome said...

What a bit of history! We lived not far away when we were first married, and I remember shopping there for kitchen stuff. I also remember a fateful night at a bar near there; I've blanked out the name to avoid the memories!

Lea said...

Wonderful sign! Sad that it is closing

Penelope Notes said...

It would be nice if they could keep just a piece of it to give historic context to the new buildings coming up, perhaps the signage or part of a wall. In my neck of the woods they tore down an old elementary school and will be calling the condos springing up there, “Old School”.

Rose said...

I would take as many pics as I could...both inside and out. I bet it will be missed.

Andy said...

There are going be a lot of people that will miss this store. Is the link for the night shot http://occasionaltoronto.blogspot.ca/2010/08/honest-eds.html

Linda said...

Fantastic store, sad to see that era come to a close

Jack said...

It is a grand sign. I must be getting sentimental. When places like these close, I get a bit sad.