Built in the heart of the Great Depression, Maple Leaf Gardens (aka “The Gardens”) was home to Toronto’s NHL team for decades, truly a part of Toronto’s cultural history. Many people, especially those over a certain age, attended their first concerts at the venue. Performers there have included Elvis, Frank Sinatra as well as Queen. Vacated in 1999 for the more modern Air Canada Centre, the arena as finally been occupied once again, this time as a supermarket, which opened November 30 (with a long line of people waiting to get in! Nothing like that has been seen there in years). The humongous Loblaws is full service, complete with prepared food stations (more than a standard Loblaws), pharmacy as well as an a “Cheese Wall,” sushi and gelato bars. The second floor is home to the cooking school as well as an LCBO as well and a Joe Fresh store.
People waiting to get into Loblaws at Maple Leaf Gardens on opening day – the line goes on much longer than this
View of the crowd from the down escalator
A table in the dining area – all of the tables are decorated with Gardens-related history (ranging from programs to tickets and more)
The store doesn’t have the same vibe as a typical Loblaws. The store has a unique blend of industrial sophistication in terms of decor that is combined with the location’s cultural history. For example, a large blue maple leaf made out of old Gardens seats is on a wall by the entrance. Tables at the dining area are covered with prints of old programs and tickets of events that took place at the Gardens, ranging from Leafs games to concerts as well as speakers. Columns between the grocery aisles are plastered with pictures of people who were connected with the Gardens, including musicians, athletes and speakers. There’s even a red dot indicating where centre ice used to be – though it would be better if they actually note that. Right now, it’s just a big red dot.
Delicious cupcakes!!
The blue seats!
A guy standing on where centre ice used to be
While this isn’t truly a museum dedicated to the Gardens, Loblaws has done an excellent job keeping some of the Gardens’ historical context. The location is not all dining or Loblaws-related, however. 60 Carlton will also be home to Ryerson University’s new athletic centre, which is set to open in 2012.
