off the grid: ghost city - 203 yonge street

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This story has moved to Tales of Toronto.


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off the grid: ghost city 925 bloor street west

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This installment of my "Ghost City" column for The Grid was originally published on January 22, 2013. Toronto Star , October 26, 1948. Until 1948, anyone headed to the southwest corner of Bloor Street and Concord Avenue typically went to peruse the area’s long succession of furniture businesses, looking for that perfect addition to their home décor. The granting of a liquor license that year to the Concord Tavern ushered in the intersection’s long association with music as a venue and instrument seller.
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get cracking with campbell's omelette mate!

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Given the long-term viability of this product, all of the "Grade A" research and development didn't get the public to crack open a can. The ingredient list would be intriguing, just to see how many multi-syllabic chemicals were used to keep the eggs and meat shelf-stable. If they have a Spanish flavour, why not Western (unless Ham and Cheese was expected to fill that void)? As for my favourite omelette combination? Ham, mushrooms, peppers, cheese and a dash of paprika or ground chipotle. Source: Canadian Grocer , November 1980 - JB
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past pieces of toronto: the mynah bird

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From November 2011 through July 2012 I wrote the "Past Pieces of Toronto" column for OpenFile, which explored elements of the city which no longer exist. The following was originally posted on May 20, 2012. Advertisements, (left) the Toronto Star , April 22, 1966 (right) the Globe and Mail , July 26, 1967. In an August 1967 article, the Globe and Mail ’s Blaik Kirby set the scene for anyone curious about entering one of Yorkville’s oddest coffee houses. “The Mynah Bird is a fetid room in a former Victorian home, with a tiny triangular stage behind bars in one corner. There are two other rooms in reserve if needed. You enter through a hallway, passing the piranha and the caged mynah bird after which the place is named. Hanging rushes conceal the high ceiling. The walls are red flecked wallpaper. The lights are low, with candles on each table. One of the two friendly go-go girls ushers you to a seat, and soon reappears on the stage. She is slightly plump, with lo...
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