Looking southwest on McCaul St at Renfrew Place towards Queen St W, in Toronto’s Queen Street West neighbourhood.
The archive photo features Malabar Costumer on the right. Established in Winnipeg by Sara Mallabar, her son Harry opened a location in Toronto on Spadina Ave in 1923. As the business grew, the store relocated to a larger location at 309-311 King St W. Unfortunately, a fire destroyed that building in 1956, prompting a move to 10-14 McCaul St. After nearly a century in the city, the Toronto location closed in 2022, but the Ottawa store continues to operate to this day.
The vintage photo also captures a two-storey commercial building in the centre-left. Back then, Toronto Barber School and a convenience store operated out of the building. Today, it accommodates a variety of businesses.
Then and Now
SOURCE
- Photo: Denise Marie for TorontoJourney416
- Vintage Photo: City of Toronto Archives
- Toronto City Directory courtesy of Toronto Public Library
