2017 Note: This page started as a small reference to the plaza where Bathurst Manor / Forest Valley Day Camp  purchased many daily supplies. It has developed into what appears to be the only comprehensive source of information about the plaza.

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History

A frequent destination for camp purchases, Bathurst Manor Plaza (a.k.a. Wilmington Plaza) was built in 1957 during the development of the area. Throughout the 1960’s and 1970’s, it was a bustling community destination with a wide variety of stores and services.

This sign introduced the plaza to the neighbourhood:

Opening Advertisement:

During Construction. The 2-storey south section and the Dominion (later Sunnybrook) store were built first. 1957:

Additional stores and a gas station were added in 1961:

An addition was built in 1984:

A third addition was added later for “Edith’s Fashions.” This building was spared from demolition in 2017 – likely to be used as a sales office for the new development:

The plaza was original referred to as “Bathurst Manor Plaza”. Later, it became know as “Wilmington Plaza”

Partial List of Stores

Abie’s Restaurant
Ann Biederman Frocks
Bagel Nook (The)
Barber Shop (Roger Williams)
Bathurst Manor Cleaners
Bathurst Manor Food Centre
Bathurst Manor Fruit Market
Brody’s Jewelers
Clover Printing and Labels
Country Style Donuts (Kosher)
Demi’s Restaurant
Dollar Guys (Ali)
Edith’s Fashions
Fressor’s Restaurant
Fagot’s Hardware (Later, Metro Hardware) Aby Moses & Family
Fisherman’s Table Restaurant
Focus Optical
Gary’s Sports Cards
GoGo Luggage & Leather
Goodman’s China
Hopedale Drugatieria (Later Shoppers Drug Mart) Fred Stall/Harvey Pearlston
Isaac’s Bakery
Israel’s Judaica
King David Pizza (Uri Hazan)
Knights of the Campus Boys Wear
LCBO
The Leather Mart
Lisary Bags & Luggage
Little Caesar’s (Before King David Pizza)
Louis’ Bakery
Man About Town (Alessandro DeRosa)
Meat/Poultry Shop
Optometrist
P.F. Travel
Rachel’s Catering
Red Ruby Restaurant
Ronit Originals – Unisex Italian Leather Fashions
Shoe Repair
Shoppers Drug Mart
Sunny Gym
Sunnybrook (formerly Dominion)
Tony’s Hairstyling
Toy Store
Variety Store / Smoke Shop / Krivy’s Cigar Store
Video Break
Wilmington Convenience & Produce (Terry Kim)

Bathurst Manor Service Centre (Morris & Alex)
Originally Shell. Later Pioneer. Owned by Mr. Pasternack

At one time, a guy named Rocco took care of the plaza.

Partial List of Office Tenants:

110 – 120 Overbrook Place

MCI Medical Clinics
Dr. Irving Zelcer
Dr. Harriet Train
Dr. Alan Sandler
Dr. Gerry Cohen
Dr. May Cohen
Dr. Grey
Riaboy & Anic Engineering Ltd
New Fraternal Jewish Association
Terry Leuty Real Estate (Harold “Husky” Goldkind)
Beth Meyer
Overbrook Medical Centre

A video of the plaza. ca. 1990:

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Advertising

A collection of ads from local newspapers.

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Decline

Following the closure of Sunnybrook in the mid 1980s, business declined in the plaza. Many stores closed. Some new tenants moved in, but did not stay long. In the early 2000’s, major tenants like CIBC, LCBO, & Shoppers Drug Mart left the plaza. Without these core tenants to draw traffic, the remaining stores struggled to survive.

Photos from the 2000s:

The phone numbers for the 2 pay phones:

416-633-0711

416-633-0860

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Closure
In July, 2016, the plaza closed. It was boarded up in November 2016.

Several news articles about the closing.

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Demolition

Demolition of the plaza began in February 2017. The building formerly used by Edith’s fashions (facing Wilmington) looks like it will be retained – likely to be used as a sales office for future development:

Redevelopment

Proposals have been in the works since 2006.

Link to City of Toronto Development Page: http://www1.toronto.ca/wps/portal/contentonly?vgnextoid=b0f30621f3161410VgnVCM10000071d60f89RCRD

Latest News

From 2012 Plan:

10 thoughts on “Bathurst Manor PlazaThe Most Comprehensive Historyon the Internet!”

1. LisaJuly 2, 2016 at 7:12 pmSo sad that this plaza couldn’t be revitalized and used by the community. It was just sitting around, decomposing for years. I’ll always have fond memories of Isaac’s Bakery and Sunnybrook. Reply
2. Michael GilbertJuly 3, 2016 at 6:36 pmMany great memories ..
   The convenience store for chocolate bars, drinks, comic books…
   Shoe store when I was in grade 6
   PF Flyers running shoes with a free decoder ring !
   The CIBC bank at the far end of the plaza .. Scar driving through the glass window !
   The barber shop where I had brush cuts for the summer .. Also a stick of wax to stick up the front hairs .. Fagot & Sins Hardware. The drug store where Mr.Fred Stall was the pharmacist . Rides in the parking lot ! Wow so many memories !Reply
   1. Phillip PearlstonMay 5, 2018 at 9:41 pmThe drug store was Hopedale Drugatieria. Fred Stall and my father Harvey Pearlston were partners. Shoppers took over the store after they bought out Hopedale.Reply
3. MelJanuary 4, 2017 at 9:58 pmDo you have any photos of Sunnybrook Food Mart? Such fond memories. Sad to see it boarded up, I truly wish it had been maintained and revitalized for the community.Reply
4. DaveApril 6, 2017 at 2:12 pmA few to add to the list:– Fressor’s Restaurant
   – Gary’s Sports Cards (originally on the corner of the 80s section facing Sunnybrook, then moved into a larger space by the Focus Optical)
   – Little Caesar’s (only for about a year in mid-90s, before King David moved in)
   – Also, whatever that video store was that faced the Wilmington side of the 80s section for many years. Wasn’t video break but I’m totally drawing a blank.Memories:
   – Watching cartoons in a little coin-operated booth near the checkout at Sunnybrook
   – Candy, baseball cards and stickers from the Cigar Store
   – The elevator music. Oh, the elevator music. All day, every day.Reply
5. Marty RosenMay 5, 2018 at 3:58 pmThe store list is not a list without the Red Ruby Resturant. Oh the memories, few of which I would dare share in a public forum. Reply
6. VitoMay 6, 2018 at 7:23 amThere was also Abie’s restaurant in the late 70’s. Among, the regular Canadian style menu, they also served Falafels, hummus, techina(tahini), etc.Reply
7. VitoMay 6, 2018 at 7:26 am……P.s., Hopedale drug mart in the early 70’s before becoming SDM.Reply
8. Old GuyMay 6, 2018 at 9:30 amLola’s at the Cigar Store!Reply
9. Lynda Frappier (Ross)August 19, 2018 at 10:13 pmRemembering the amazing pizza bagels at louis’ bakery, the midway that would herald the arrival of spring, “spinny” lusthouse who worked at the gas station (RIP), the old shoe store between Dominion and Fagot’s hardware store. Good times.Reply