35 h. ago Another media giant has vacated its iconic downtown Toronto headquarters

Only a few months after CP24 and BNN departed from their long-time home at 299 Queen Street West, another of Toronto's major news outlets has likewise just vacated its legendary location a short distance away.This weekend marked the last time that City News staff spent at their 33 Dundas Street East office, which the brand had operated out of for around 16 years.Located in the heart of the downtown core — right at Sankofa (formerly Yonge-Dundas) Square — the building was actually first constructed as an Olympics-themed entertainment venue called Olympic Spirit Toronto, which was open briefly from 2004 to 2006.Rogers Communications then acquired the 43,000-square-foot space the following year, and eventually reopened it in fall 2009 as the headquarters for CityTV and Omni Television, calling it the "perfect place" that would be "a powerful television site...second to none" for its stations."A ...

Culture

38 h. ago Busy downtown Toronto supermarket shut down by health authorities

A big-name grocery store is not exactly what comes to mind when we think of "City of Toronto health code violations," but a downtown location of Canada's third-biggest supermarket chain was just forcibly shut down for a few major food safety issues.The Metro store that has long stood right across from the city's famed St. Lawrence Market was ordered to close its doors on Thursday after inspectors deemed it unfit to remain open due to one crucial infraction that endangers saleable food directly, alongside a significant infraction and another minor one.The main problem? A rat infestation — not exactly rare in Toronto, but still very yuck."Food premise maintained in manner permitting health hazard (Rodents)," reads the closure notice shared to the City's DineSafe page on March 13. The required action included a court summons and health hazard order, which were listed as "pending on March 17."The store, at 80 Front S...

Science

6 d. ago LCBO denies viral photos of hilarious Wayne Gretzky wine labels in Toronto

Pictures allegedly taken at a downtown Toronto LCBO are going absolutely viral on social media this week in light of how hilarious — and timely, given current events — they are.A shopper perusing the offerings at the Manulife Centre location of the Crown retailer on Bloor Street claims to have spotted some peculiar product tags for one particular brand of wine: the line by Canadian hockey legend Wayne Gretzky. And they have some very convincing photo evidence to back it up.The viral post was removed from Reddit Tuesday, though the link still shows the hundreds of comments it racked up.The once-unanimously beloved Gretzky, as anyone who has been reading the news will know, has fallen out of favour in some camps recently due to his affiliation with Donald Trump, who considers the world-renowned athlete a close friend and "fantastic guy," as well as a supporter.As some fans disown Gretzky amid Trump's economic attack on Canada through tariffs and threats of a...

Other

7 d. ago Toronto bakery shuts down after 32 years due to unprecedented rent increase

A family-owned bakery that has served as a stalwart of downtown Toronto for more than three decades has abruptly shut its doors because of the exorbitant cost of living and operating in the city, and issues with its tenancy — mainly, an unprecedented rent increase.Little Italy locals have been heading to Golden Wheat for fresh-baked breads, Portuguese tarts, custom cakes and all sorts of other gourmet treats since the early '90s.But, while the shop managed to remain a cherished and reliable go-to for made-with-love baked goods as the bustling strip around it evolved over the course of 32 long years, this weekend was its last in business — and regulars had little warning to prepare for the loss.Posting to social media just one day before, management sadly informed patrons that the space they have long haunted at 652 College Street would be shuttered by Sunday's end, and vacant soon after."It's been an absolute pl...

Other

9 d. ago Cabbie hospitalized after early morning downtown stabbing: Police

A cab driver in his 40s was hospitalized after an early morning stabbing in downtown Toronto. Toronto Police said on the social media site X that they responded to an unknown trouble call Sunday at about 5 a.m. in the College St.-Spadina Ave. area after a cab driver was assaulted. UNKNOWN TROUBLE:(UPDATE)College ST & Spadina […]

Events

1 week ago Toronto's 5 most expensive parking spots all found in two condos

Parking comes at a premium in downtown Toronto, and many spots selling in constrained locations in the core have been known to sell for stratospheric prices.Having a car in the city centre can be a costly luxury, especially in some of the most sought-after new developments in built-out areas with scarce on-street parking.As of early March, all five of the city's most expensive parking spots for sale can be found within two new buildings, with staggering prices as high as $139,000.Traditionally, the highest-priced parking spots in Toronto have been found within ultra-luxury condominiums, though the current list of the most expensive parking in the city appears to come down purely to demand.The recently built Waterworks Building on Richmond Street — a condo building that houses a new food hall within a restored Art Deco water facility — currently has the most expensive and third-most expensive (tied) parking spots in Toronto.Another new condo at 55 Mercer Street ...

Other

1 week ago Startup trying to boost foot traffic in downtown Toronto one step at a time

Toronto’s downtown core has been struggling to return to its former self. Post-pandemic, a number of businesses have been barely able to survive or have closed up shop as some workers resist the call to return to the office on a daily basis or have transitioned to remote work permanently. However, bringing pre-pandemic foot traffic […]

Culture

2 w. ago Toronto's BMO Field getting rooftop patio with spectacular views

There's a new rooftop patio opening in Toronto — but you'll need a special ticket before you check it out.On Monday, the City of Toronto and MLSE announced further details of an ongoing major renovation to BMO Field in preparation for six matches to be held at the venue during the 2026 FIFA World Cup.One of the new additions was a ticketed rooftop patio on the north side of the stadium that won't be open for the tournament but will be available to fans for Toronto FC and Toronto Argonauts games, as well as other events taking place in the stadium.The stadium has a capacity of 1,000 and will require a specific ticket to access.Though it's facing the south side of the stadium, if you turn your head left while on the patio, you'll have a spectacular view of the downtown Toronto skyline.For the FIFA World Cup, there will be 10,000 temporary seats added on the north grandstand and 7,000 on the south grandstand, bringing the capacity to around 45,000 for the duration of the tourname...

Other

2 w. ago ‘You have made me afraid,’ Ontario man guilty of double murder told at sentencing

Victim impact statements and sentencing submissions were delivered Monday in a downtown Toronto courtroom for Godfrey Sig-Od's sentencing hearing.

Events

2 w. ago Ukrainians in Calgary rallying behind Zelenskyy after tense spat with Trump

On Sunday, Ukrainians in Calgary will rally in downtown Toronto to show their support for their president

Other

2 w. ago Here's Doug Ford's Ontario election victory speech and plans for his third term

Doug Ford was re-elected for his third term as Premier of Ontario on Thursday night, evoking mixed reactions across the province.The Progressive Conservative (PC) party's third consecutive majority victory is certainly a rare one — a feat not seen since 1959 — and also took place during the first winter election the province has had in 44 years.Despite public uproar regarding Ford's many scandals over his tenure, only 45 per cent of eligible residents turned out to have their say in the snap vote, which was called just 29 days prior to election day.The result was disappointing to many in downtown Toronto, which appears on result maps as a mosaic of NDP orange and Liberal red amid the sea of PC blue that dominated the vast majority of the rest of southern Ontario.Greeting his constituents right after the win, Ford, jubilant and relieved, repeatedly thanked the crowd for their cheers and applause before commenting on the evening.Doug Ford re-elected Pre...

Politics

2 w. ago Doug Ford remains top dog in Ontario, but PCs drop seats in Toronto

While across a large portion of Ontario, Doug Ford cruised to a third consecutive majority government, he once again fell flat in the downtown core of Toronto on Thursday night.

Other

3 w. ago The TTC is closing the busiest stretch of downtown subway for the entire weekend

Those planning to hop on the subway to get around downtown Toronto this weekend should be aware of a forthcoming full-weekend 9-stop TTC closure that will impact the line's busiest stations.For the entire duration of Saturday, March 1, and Sunday, March 2, the commission is suspending Line 1 Yonge-University service from Bloor-Yonge Station all the way past Union and around to Osgoode Station.Bloor is, of course, the most bustling station in the city's underground network, and one of the line's only three connection points to Line 2 Bloor-Danforth.Other stops impacted this weekend include Dundas and Queen, key for residents and visitors heading to the Eaton Centre, Yonge-Dundas Square and numerous other prime attractions, and Union, the city's central hub for travel on GO Transit, VIA Rail, and the UP Express.Osgoode would be the alternative stop for residents and visitors heading out to shop, dine, and more around the fashion district in lieu of Queen, but is also af...

Other

3 w. ago Toronto traffic jam forces Hurricanes to walk to Maple Leafs game

For the second time this season, Toronto traffic forced an NHL team to walk to Scotiabank Arena instead of taking a bus from the hotel. The Carolina Hurricanes shared a short clip to social media Saturday afternoon showing players walking toward the Skywalk path near the CN Tower in downtown Toronto to get to the […]

Other

3 w. ago Toronto's favourite winter beer festival is happening this week

Toronto's ultimate winter craft beer festival returns to the Roundhouse this week for a day of local brews, retro regalia and food trucks galore.I'll be the first to admit it: a good, old-fashioned apres-ski day party holds a special place in my heart. There's just something special about the sensation of hitting an open-air dance floor in your snow pants with a beer in hand that makes winter feel — almost — enjoyable. And if you know how I feel about winter, you'll know that's high praise indeed.Lucky for me, and others who share my passions, the annual Roundhouse Winter Craft Beer Festival is right around the corner, bringing all the magic of a day on the slopes to the heart of downtown Toronto.This party is a lot more about the brewskies than actual skis though.    View this post on Instagram           A post shared by Steam Whistle (@steamwhistlebrewing)Taking place at the Steamwhist...

Culture

3 w. ago Toronto coyote attacks sparking ‘understandable fear’ in downtown: councillor

A recent string of coyote attacks in downtown neighbourhoods is sparking an “understandable fear” among residents and pet owners, one Toronto councillor says.

Events

4 w. ago Canadian clothing store owned by Aritzia shuts down Toronto location

A Canadian clothing brand known for its high-quality athletic wear, hats and basics has abruptly shut the doors to one of its prime locations, which opened in Toronto's fashion district just over seven years ago.Anyone walking by the Queen West storefront of Reigning Champ, located near Peter St., will notice the space newly papered-up and abandoned, with a brief farewell message left in its large front windows."Thank you, Queen West — it's been a great run," reads the statement, printed on sleek branded posters that completely obscure the defunct store's interior. "Please shop with us online or visit in-store at our 41 Ossington and Yorkdale Centre locations."The 383 Queen Street location of Reigning Champ has closed its doors forever after just over seven years. Photo by Becky Robertson.Management at the Ossington store — now the sole outpost of the company left in downtown Toronto — confirmed the news to blogTO this week, saying that the closure was si...

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