Looking northeast along Spadina Ave from Dundas St W in the Chinatown neighbourhood of Toronto.
The archive photo features the Victory Burlesque Theatre on the right. Originally constructed as the Standard Theatre in 1922, it was renamed The Strand in 1935. In 1941, it became known as the Victory Theatre, and in 1961, it was renamed the Victory Burlesque Theatre. Following its time as the Golden Harvest Theatre from the mid-1970s to the mid-1990s, the building housed a bank and various businesses. Today, it is home to a Rexall Drugstore and other retail shops.
The vintage photo also shows Shopsy’s Deli when it was located a few doors north of the theatre. In 1921, Harry and Jennie Shopsowitz opened the family-operated Shopsowitz Delicatessen at 295 Spadina Ave. The restaurant later became known as Shopsy’s.
Then and Now
SOURCE
- City of Toronto Heritage Register: 285 Spadina Ave
- Photo: Denise Marie for TorontoJourney416
- Vintage Photo: City of Toronto Archives
- City of Toronto: Maps
- Toronto City Directory courtesy of Toronto Public Library
