54 h. ago Toronto bar that closed after 20 years being replaced by retro

A Toronto bar in a historic building is getting a new lease on life as it transforms into a new concept this October.The Gladstone House's Melody Bar had been a pillar of West Queen West, taking on various appearances and lives over the years, for over two decades, when it suddenly and quietly closed its doors at the end of 2022.Since then, the space at the historic property has sat dormant, collecting dust while the neighbourhood's frequenters grew impatient waiting to learn whether Melody Bar would rise from the ashes, or whether it really was gone for good.Alas, we finally have our answer, and it's the latter, but it's not all bad news.A new chapter is on the horizon for the former Melody Bar, as it prepares to transform into Cassette, a refined take on the classic, retro diner, opening at the end of October.If you're expecting a typical greasy spoon, think again. Cassette is going to pack a serious punch in the style department, while stil...

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9 d. ago Huge recall issued for over 100,000 toaster ovens sold in Canada

A potential "burn hazard" has prompted Health Canada to issue a recall of thousands of toasters sold nationwide.On Sept. 25, Health Canada announced the recall of certain models of Oster Toasters.The recall involves Oster French Door Toaster Countertop Ovens, which, unlike toaster ovens with pull-down doors, feature spring-loaded bilateral "French doors." These doors are made of glass with metal handles. It has been discovered that the oven's doors can "unexpectedly close," posing a burn hazard to users."Immediately stop using the recalled product and contact Sunbeam Products Inc. to arrange to obtain a free repair kit," reads the statement.As of September 22, the company stated that it hasn't received any reports of injuries in Canada. However, in the U.S., the company received 95 reports of the doors unexpectedly closing, resulting in burn injuries. The company also stated that it received two reports of second-degree burns...

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1 week ago The most heartbreaking Toronto restaurant closures of summer 2025

When one door closes, another one opens, but that doesn't keep us from being heartbroken over the restaurant closures in Toronto this summer.Restaurants are like seasons: they come and, before you know it, they're gone. Summer 2025, now that we're well and truly into the fall, felt a lot like that.While restaurants in the city, all too often, are over before they even started, others manage to stand the test of time, becoming as much a fixture in the neighbourhood as the old man who feeds pigeons on the corner or the local outdoor cats.It's those restaurants whose closures stick with us the most, and, unfortunately, we lost no small number of them this past summer.Here are some of the biggest restaurant closures that happened in Toronto during Summer 2025.By The Way CafeThere's something about the closure of a restaurant that's been around since the year started with a 19 that stings especially hard. This Annex brunch spot had been a local staple since the &#...

Culture

2 w. ago Alexander Acosta to testify on Epstein case behind closed doors

Alexander Acosta, the former labour secretary who as a federal prosecutor worked on a plea agreement with Jeffrey Epstein, is expected to answer questions Friday in a closed-door appearance before a congressional committee scrutinizing investigations involving the deceased financier. Acosta was the top federal prosecutor in South Florida when Epstein reached an agreement with officials […]

Economics

2 w. ago Sobeys is permanently closing one of its most popular Toronto locations

One pocket of Toronto is about to lose a key grocery store that has served the community for many years: its local Sobeys.The Kipling location of the supermarket chain, a tenured and well-frequented staple of the plaza at 1255 The Queensway, is apparently slated to shut down this fall.Although Sobeys Inc.'s head office has remained hush-hush about the forthcoming closure — its media team, at the time of publication, has yet to reply to blogTO's inquiry — some employees have been gradually informing customers about the news on the down-low.One shopper shared the scoop with fellow members of a South Etobicoke community Facebook group earlier this month, stating that during their last visit, they were told the store will close its doors for good on Nov. 1, 2025.Staff members at not just the location in question, but also the nearby Sobeys a few kilometres east on The Queensway, confirmed the rumours ab...

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2 w. ago The Velvet Underground club to close in Toronto after 30 years in operation

The Velvet Underground — Toronto’s goth-and-industrial-music focused club — will close its doors after three decades in business. “After many unforgettable years on Queen St. W. our time is coming to a close,” said a Sept. 12 post to the club’s Facebook page. “The lease is up at the end of October and the property […]

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3 w. ago Protests outside, silence inside as Canada faces Israel in empty Halifax arena

HALIFAX — It was a surreal scene in Halifax on Friday as Canada kicked off its Davis Cup tennis tie against Israel behind closed doors at Scotiabank Centre in Halifax. Save for athletes and staff of the two teams and the necessary officials, who were either on the court or courtside, the venue that normally […]

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3 w. ago New pub replaces Toronto bar that closed after 16 years in business

A Toronto bar with a cult following closed down last winter after 16 years, and it's finally been replaced.It's been eight months since cult-favourite Dundas West sports bar (and former home of Slammie Sammies), Opera Bob's, closed its doors after 16 years, much to the disappointment and dismay of its devoted regulars.The pub was a local staple for a casual drink, lively night out, and especially for Manchester City football match screenings, as the Manchester City Football Club Toronto has called the bar home for nearly as long as it's been around.Last year, during the Premier League championships, it even got a considerable shout-out from the New York Times.Alas, as Nelly Furtado once said, all good things come to an end, and, in the winter of 2024, the pub closed its doors for good, setting its devoted fanbase adrift, searching for somewhere new to take root.Now, at long last, the space has officially gotten a new lease on life, and Opera ...

Economics

3 w. ago Canada to open Davis Cup tie vs. Israel in empty Halifax venue amid security concerns

Canada will open its Davis Cup tennis tie against Israel behind closed doors today at Scotiabank Centre in Halifax.

Events

3 w. ago Here's what replaced Toronto fine dining restaurant that closed in under a year

A fine dining restaurant in Toronto has closed its doors after less than a year, and it's already been replaced.Sigh. We know that not everything's built to last, but we had a good feeling about short-lived farm-to-table restaurant The Lost Land.A collaboration between Larry Feldmeier, chef de cuisine at Chicago's Oriole, a two-Michelin-star force, Pidapipo Gelato owner Edison Xue, and chef Cesar Karanapakorn of Judaline and Florette, the restaurant came with some serious promise.Still, it opened quietly to mixed reviews before, just months later, shuttering just as quietly as it arrived.It's not all bad news, though, because, just as swiftly as The Lost Land came and went, it's already been replaced, and its usurper looks just as promising.Now, the space at 146 Yonge St. is home to Bar Filo, a stylish Italian cocktail bar and restaurant, which opened its doors at the beginning of September.The name Filo, the Bar Filo team told ...

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3 w. ago New sex assault allegation detailed against former VPD cop Keiron McConnell

A new review has been ordered into a closed-door hearing that took place in May 2025 over a sex assault allegation against disgraced cop Keiron McConnell.

Events

3 w. ago Chef left one of Toronto's top restaurants to start his own place and it opens soon

A Toronto chef who cut his teeth at one of the city's Michelin-recommended restaurants is finally breaking out on his own later this month.It's been nine months since a devastating fire forced Vela, a celebrated eclectic restaurant with an affinity for Asian flair, to close its doors, and there's still little word on when it'll make its comeback.While such a roadblock could easily be enough to thrust even the most time-hardened of chefs into despair, for Vela's then-executive chef and partner, Marvin Palomo, it marked a new beginning.No, we won't use a phoenix-rising-from-the-ashes analogy here, but if ever there were a time for it, it would be now.Palomo told us that after the fire at Vela, the opportunity to open a restaurant of his own presented itself, and he immediately "jumped at it."Now, Palomo's next chapter is nearly ready to open. It's called Liliana, and it's due to be a perfect nexus of all his career experience thu...

Culture