Toronto Star, Convenience Store Sponsor c. 1978
Nowadays it’s all about Nestle and chocolate bars, but once upon a time it was Coca-Cola and the Toronto Star that were too happy to slap their logo up on the city’s corner stores.
This shop, in particular, has been closed for a few years it seems… not sure why or what is happening with it now. I pass by every six months or so and always re-scribble it down on my travelling list of places to photograph… knowing that chances are, if I don’t hustle, it might be gone.
Luckily, this past weekend, there it was.
And actually, now that we’re on the topic, I’ve shot a number of photographs of aging corner store signage this year, so I’ll probably share a few more over the coming weeks.
If you know of an interesting one in your neighbourhood, I’d love to hear about it.
Filed under: Toronto, the disappearing city on April 24th, 2007
You should check out the shops on Logan Avenue between Riverdale Avenue and Withrow. There three convenience stores, a laundromat and a coffee shop (there used to be a sign shop but that was converted into a lofty space). There are also a number of homes that used to be things like, insurance brokers, cobblers, ice house, pharmacy, etc. but they have all be converted into homes. At one time, that stretch of Logan used to be a shopping district.
There are also any number of old signs on Gerrard between Broadview and Coxwell (Chinatown East all the way to Little India). Gerrard, on that stretch, is the street that time forgot.
Thanks Steve… i’ll make note.
I’ve been down to Gerrard & Coxwell to shoot the area for Spacing Magazine and was blown away by some of the buildings and shops… it was such a trip back 30 years. Will definitely be heading back there this spring/summer.
That’s great. I haven’t thought of that place for a long while.
As a kid who went to school at Bedford Park, there were a couple of places in the neighbourhood to buy candy, hockey cards etc. When your friends asked where you were going, if it was that store you’d say “I’m going to the Toronto Star!”