The archive photo features teenagers checking out a street vendor’s wares on Yonge St in front of the Coronet Theatre, which closed in 1983 (City of Toronto Archives, Fonds 620, Item 61 – Avard Woolaver photographer)
The archive photo shows two men walking up Yonge St. One is wearing a jean jacket with the words “Rock ‘N’ Roll Forever!” written on it. The band names mentioned include Supertramp, Black Sabbath, Deep Purple, Rush, Alice Cooper, Van Halen, AC/DC, Lennon forever, and Pink Floyd (City of Toronto Archives, Fonds 620, Item 37 – Avard Woolaver photographer)
The archive photo showcases two branches of the Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce (CIBC) on either side of The Pilot Tavern. The historic tavern, which has been in operation for over 80 years, was named to honour the heroic efforts of Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) flyers during World War II. Originally located at 800 Yonge St, just north of Bloor St W, The Pilot Tavern operated at this site from 1944 until 1971.
The tavern was relocated just around the corner to 22 Cumberland St to make way for the 34-storey Two Bloor West tower (City of Toronto Archives, Ellis Wiley fonds, Fonds 124, File 2, Item 110)
The site was previously the location of Honest Ed’s until December 31, 2016. In 2013, the property was sold to Westbank Corp, a real estate development company. They are currently building Mirvish Village Apartments, a rental-only development that will feature over 800 units. The project is expected to be completed in 2025 (2018 photo courtesy of Google Maps)
The archive photo shows the storefront that once housed Vesuvio Pizzeria and Spaghetti House. Founded by the Pugliese family in 1957, the pizzeria operated for 63 years before closing its doors in 2020. Today, the location is home to Pretty Clean Shop and Noctura Bakery (City of Toronto Archives, Fonds 620, Item 366 – Avard Woolaver photographer)
According to the 1972 Toronto City Directory, a few of the establishments in the archive photo, from left to right, include Edison Shoes, Wong’s Camera & Florist, Uniform World, Henry Faber Men’s Tailors, Knox Optical, Susanna’s Hair Stylist, KB Loheed & Sons Shoes, Tall Gals Registered Ladies Wear, Japan Camera Centre and United Clothing.
In the left foreground of the old photo, notice Terauley St, which once intersected with Yonge St. In the right distance, Eaton’s College Street store is visible.
Today, the CF Toronto Eaton Centre occupies the block up to Dundas St W (City of Toronto Archives, Fonds 200, Series 1465, File 312, Item 70 – Urban Design photographs)
A few of the businesses in the archive photo, from right to left, include Public Finance, United Cigar Store, Clean-It-Eria, Queens Restaurant, Bowles Hairdressing, Leo & Ponzo Groceries, New Life Shoe Repair, White Plaza Hamburger, Clever Cleaners, Model Fish & Chips, De Lage Barber and Clarks Bakery.
In the background of the old photo, you can also see the “Have a Coca-Cola” sign and the “Model Fish & Chips WA-0121” sign painted on the side of the building on Yonge St. Interestingly, the present-day photo also shows Coke signs on the corner building (Toronto Public Library Pictures-R-4027 – James Victor Salmon photographer)
A couple of establishments featured in the archive photo include the Village House Hotel, located directly at the corner, and the Hotel Ford, visible in the right background. The image also highlights two references to Coca-Cola: on the left, there is a delivery truck loaded with wooden beverage crates, and on the right, a billboard promoting the brand.
Both buildings in the foreground of the vintage photo still stand today. The corner building, constructed in the early 1930s, originally housed storefronts with apartments above. Currently, this storefront is home to a restaurant. The building on the far left was constructed in 1898 and designed by architect George M Martel for the John Labatt Bottling Works, which once served as a residence, stable, and vault (City of Toronto Archives, Alexandra Studio fonds, Fonds 1257, Series 1057, Item 549)
The archive photo shows the former R.L. Roach Pharmacy Limited. Today, the corner is home to a mixed-use building (City of Toronto Archives, Gilbert A. Milne & Co., Ltd. fonds, Fonds 1653, Series 975, File 2247, Item 32729-3)
In the archive photo, the corner building housed the Elm-Bay Restaurant and the New Asia House Hotel, while the adjacent building featured Off-Track Betting Services. Additionally, you can see Elgin Motors Company’s Used Car Division in the upper left background of the old photo. The three-storey building and many of the adjacent houses were constructed in the late 1800s, all of which are listed on the city’s heritage register.
The corner building holds historical significance as it was home to Christ’s Mission Hall and Dental Institute, operated by Dr. John Adams from 1897 to 1899. The city closed the institute due to non-payment of taxes. Dr. Adams was a strong advocate for preventive dental health education, promoting dental checkups in public schools and free dental treatment for underprivileged children. In 1911, his recommendations were implemented, marking the beginning of dental checkups in Toronto schools (City of Toronto Archives, Toronto Planning Board fonds, Fonds 2032, Series 841, File 59, Item 28)
The Gerrard Building, designed by architects Sproatt & Rolph, was built in 1924 for the Canada Life Assurance Company. The archive photo features Bassel’s Restaurant in the storefront. Currently, the building’s heritage-designated façade is being integrated into the Concord Sky condominium development, which is shown in the present-day photo of the construction site (City of Toronto Archives, Fonds 16, Series 574, File 19, Item 49389 – Brigdens Limited photography)
The building located at the corner was formerly the Coronet Theatre, which closed its doors in 1983. While the Coronet’s sign is still visible on the side of the building in the archive photo, the space was converted into a jewelry exchange and commercial area. As of 2025, the building is vacant, and there are plans for a mixed-use development on the site (City of Toronto Archives, Fonds 200, Series 1465, File 721, Item 58 – Urban Design photographs)
The archive photo features a rundown building that once housed a grocery store. Several signs can be seen, one of which reads, “This outstanding corner for sale.” Another sign features an advertisement for Coca-Cola, promoting a six-pack of bottles priced at 27¢. Additionally, there are mentions of “Canada Dry’s” Flavoured Beverages, such as Sarsaparilla and Ginger Beer, alongside signage for Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey, as well as Mother Parker’s Tea.
The building in the present-day photo was constructed in 1951 and was originally named the Biltmore Savoy Theatre. It later became known as the Coronet Theatre, which closed its doors in 1983. Following its closure, the space was used for commercial purposes but is currently vacant. There are plans to construct a 75-storey condo tower at this location (City of Toronto Archives, Fonds 1231, Item 52 – James Victor Salmon photographer)
The archive photo shows the Dairy Barn Stores of Canada Limited once at 150 Simcoe St, with a Camaro and a Monte Carlo parked in front. Since the mid-2000s, the corner has been home to the University Plaza Condo (City of Toronto Archives, Toronto Planning Board fonds, Fonds 2032, Series 841, File 44, Item 18)
Both photos display the Old City Hall clock tower in the background. The archive photo features the streetcar tracks that previously operated along Bay St (City of Toronto Archives, Fonds 16, Series 71, Item 3593 – Alfred Pearson photographer)
A few of the establishments in the archive photo from right to left include Scotiabank, Cameron-Jeffries Men’s Wear, Tip Top Tailors, Pantry Delicatessen & Restaurant, Proctor’s Fine Diamonds, Rathbone & Company Men’s Furnishings and Fairweather Women’s Clothing (City of Toronto Archives, Fonds 200, Series 1465, File 614, Item 22 – Urban Design photographs)
The four-story brownstone building, showcasing elements of the Second Empire style, including a Mansard roof, was completed in 1886 to serve as the headquarters for the Upper Canada Bible and Tract Societies. It was constructed for $13,000, based on designs by architects Gordon & Helliwell.
In 1910, the building was leased to Dunfield & Company, a retailer specializing in men’s furnishings, which operated there until the early 1930s. Following this period, the building briefly accommodated another clothing store, followed by a drug store. By 1939, it became the home of Cameron-Jeffries Limited, a men’s wear store that remained in operation until the 1980s, as shown in the archive photo. From 1991 to 2009, the storefront was occupied by Dack’s Shoes.
The Upper Canada Bible and Tract Societies Building was added to the city’s heritage register in 1984. The east façade of this building has been integrated into the commercial complex at the east end of Scotia Plaza. Currently, the storefront houses Pizzaiolo restaurant (City of Toronto Archives, Fonds 200, Series 1465, File 304, Item 7 – Urban Design photographs)
A few of the establishments in the archive photo from left to right include Fairweather, Snappers Photo Ltd, Rubys Shoes, Tip Top Warehouse Outlet, Fashion Bazaar, Scotiabank and the Canada Trust Building (City of Toronto Archives, Fonds 200, Series 1465, File 443, Item 21 – Urban Design photographs)
Honest Ed’s opened its doors in 1948 and continued operating until December 31, 2016. In 2013, the property was sold to Westbank Corp, a real estate development company. They are currently constructing Mirvish Village Apartments, a rental-only development that will feature over 800 units, which are slated for completion in 2025 (City of Toronto Archives, Fonds 200, Series 1465, File 515, Item 11 – Urban Design photographs)
SOURCE
- City of Toronto Heritage Register
- City of Toronto Heritage Register: Upper Canada Bible and Tract Societies Building at 104 Yonge St
- City of Toronto Heritage Register: Gerrard Building at 385 Yonge St
- City of Toronto Heritage Register: 53 Elm St
- Heritage Toronto
- Heritage Toronto: Dr. John G.C. Adams (1839-1922) plaque
- Ontario Heritage Trust
- Biographical Dictionary of Architects in Canada
- Ontario Heritage Trust: Upper Canada Bible and Tract Societies Building at 104 Yonge St
- The Toronto World Newspaper Archives: May 13, 1886, pg 1 (Upper Canada Bible and Tract Societies Building at 104 Yonge St)
- The Globe Newspaper Archives: February 18, 1910, pg 16 (Upper Canada Bible and Tract Societies Building at 104 Yonge St)
- The Globe and Mail Newspaper Archives: November 17, 1955, pg 9 (Upper Canada Bible and Tract Societies Building at 104 Yonge St)
- The Globe and Mail Newspaper Archives: December 17, 2009, pg A12 (Upper Canada Bible and Tract Societies Building at 104 Yonge St)
- The Pilot Tavern
- Photos: Denise Marie for TorontoJourney416
- Vintage Photos: City of Toronto Archives, Toronto Public Library, Archives of Ontario & CNE Heritage
- Street Photo: southwest corner of Bloor St W & Bathurst St from Google Maps
- City of Toronto: Maps
- Toronto City Directory courtesy of Toronto Public Library
