As a co- founder and owner and operator of The Purple Onion from 1960 to 1965 this video gave me information I was not aware of. Previous to York Square our lot behind our Purple Onion coffee house/ club was for our parking needs and then we turned it into an outdoor ice cream Cafe.They were the good times in Toronto and very nostalgic.I hope the developers will think about retaining the Victorian homes that are crucial to the heritage preservation of today's times.
Loved the video! I spent a lot of time in that neighbourhood as a kid.. I'm from far from Toronto - but my mom used to shop at Hazelton Lanes whenever we had the chance to come to the city. I'd go and grab a snack from the whole foods, and chill by myself in the York Square courtyard while she shopped. I hadn't really realized how much of a historic and architectural gem I had been visiting until now!
I passed here yesterday, hoping to see the inside of the square. It's gated off, no access allowed. Sad to see it get demolished. A bit of trivia: beside the entrance on Yorkville Av., there used to be a bookstore. Elizabeth Taylor filmed a scene for a TV movie there.
@@pauly5418 Yes, that's right. In the Taylor/Burnett movie, there is a scene of them walking through Hazelton Lanes, and we see a sign about the book store. I passed by this area this past Sunday (Apr 24, 2022) and there is only a small part of the corner lot that remains. The last of the round windows was still there then, but it's likely gone by now (Apr 26). There was a restaurant in the square (close to the Yorkville Av. book shop) called Six Persimmons. Beside the Hazelton Lanes entrance to the courtyard, there was a 2-floor club/restaurant, but I forget the name. And, also Vidal Sassoon was on the Avenue Road side (now on Scollard).
Love the in-depth information you have researched with all of your videos. I would like to see Swansea /BWV where I grew up and lived all my life in a video with as much research as this one. Thanks
In the 1980s and 90s, I use to love walking around inside York Square. Never realized that it used to be a bunch of Victorian homes. I just loved the shops and openness.
Thank you so much for your local history videos of Toronto- they are so well done. I lived in T.O. from 1968-1972 and have many memories, many of which are somewhat hazy. Two locales I'm looking for is a friend's boutique: "The Mushroom Patch" from 1970 on Avenue Road between Bloor and Davenport. The other one is a silent movie theatre which I also thought was on Avenue Road which showed silent movies. I think it was called: "Silent Cinema" with black and white photos of Laurel & Hardy & Charlie Chaplin outside. This was 1/2 century! ago so I only have the vaguest of memories but if someone comes up with some clues I'd appreciate it!
real question: when you think about all of the beautiful historic buildings Toronto has lost over the years to bulldozers, how do you prevent yourself from getting really sad?
When I compare our Toronto to what Montreal has retained?... It's a flipping disaster...Charles St's old gingerbreads at Victoria campus, and the old commons grounds at Avenue Rd. turned into 30-story plastic monsters...just for one.
And.....................its demolished. Doesnt matter, as the once great city of Toronto is also over anyway....not sure if i want to stick around to see just how 3rd world and generic it can get.
Hippieville is long gone. Yorkville is...was?... known for its upscale establishments...boutiques, restaurants, cafes. This has attracted new residential tower development in the area, but the irony is that these new developments are erasing the buildings that house these upscale establishments which attracted the development in the first place.
I said it before and i'll say it again. Best Toronto Historian alive! So grateful you do what you do!
🙌🙌🙌🙌🙌🙌🙌
How does this channel not have millions of subscribers? Anyone?
You need to sign up for more accounts then!
As a co- founder and owner and operator of The Purple Onion from 1960 to 1965 this video gave me information I was not aware of. Previous to York Square our lot behind our Purple Onion coffee house/ club was for our parking needs and then we turned it into an outdoor ice cream Cafe.They were the good times in Toronto and very nostalgic.I hope the developers will think about retaining the Victorian homes that are crucial to the heritage preservation of today's times.
Great job! As a Torontonian, this really takes me back.
Thank you very much!
love the longer vids like this
more please!
Thanks for the nice words!
Loved the video! I spent a lot of time in that neighbourhood as a kid.. I'm from far from Toronto - but my mom used to shop at Hazelton Lanes whenever we had the chance to come to the city.
I'd go and grab a snack from the whole foods, and chill by myself in the York Square courtyard while she shopped. I hadn't really realized how much of a historic and architectural gem I had been visiting until now!
👍👍👍👍👍👍👍
I passed here yesterday, hoping to see the inside of the square. It's gated off, no access allowed. Sad to see it get demolished. A bit of trivia: beside the entrance on Yorkville Av., there used to be a bookstore. Elizabeth Taylor filmed a scene for a TV movie there.
I had a part-time job in Hazelton Lanes in my younger days and passed through that entrance many times. The bookstore was called The Book Cellar.
@@pauly5418 Yes, that's right. In the Taylor/Burnett movie, there is a scene of them walking through Hazelton Lanes, and we see a sign about the book store. I passed by this area this past Sunday (Apr 24, 2022) and there is only a small part of the corner lot that remains. The last of the round windows was still there then, but it's likely gone by now (Apr 26). There was a restaurant in the square (close to the Yorkville Av. book shop) called Six Persimmons. Beside the Hazelton Lanes entrance to the courtyard, there was a 2-floor club/restaurant, but I forget the name. And, also Vidal Sassoon was on the Avenue Road side (now on Scollard).
Love the in-depth information you have researched with all of your videos. I would like to see Swansea /BWV where I grew up and lived all my life in a video with as much research as this one. Thanks
A good suggestion! Will keep it in mind!
In the 1980s and 90s, I use to love walking around inside York Square. Never realized that it used to be a bunch of Victorian homes. I just loved the shops and openness.
I remember my dad driving us down to Yorkville to 'look at the hippies' as he put it. It was jammed with people and cars doing the same thing.
Great series with many memories. You should consider an episode featuring Woodbine.
My first impression of York Square in the 80s was a hidden gem, like walking into a different world, quite charming
Thank you so much for your local history videos of Toronto- they are so well done. I lived in T.O. from 1968-1972 and have many memories, many of which are somewhat hazy. Two locales I'm looking for is a friend's boutique: "The Mushroom Patch" from 1970 on Avenue Road between Bloor and Davenport. The other one is a silent movie theatre which I also thought was on Avenue Road which showed silent movies. I think it was called: "Silent Cinema" with black and white photos of Laurel & Hardy & Charlie Chaplin outside. This was 1/2 century! ago so I only have the vaguest of memories but if someone comes up with some clues I'd appreciate it!
You should do City Place
Do a video on Mimico if you haven’t already :) love what you’re doing!
I would love to know the history of the Village by the Grange.
real question: when you think about all of the beautiful historic buildings Toronto has lost over the years to bulldozers, how do you prevent yourself from getting really sad?
Gotta keep trying to save what we have still! Toronto is also a lot better at keeping things than some other spots. Vancouver being one.
When I compare our Toronto to what Montreal has retained?... It's a flipping disaster...Charles St's old gingerbreads at Victoria campus, and the old commons grounds at Avenue Rd. turned into 30-story plastic monsters...just for one.
Have you considered doing a video on Don Mills or Melonville??
Very informative. We have a condo in a low rise across the street. Didn't know that the tax structure is designed for constant erasure of the past.
Ya - the tax situation makes it difficult to keep these gems, sadly.
If you Google Map this property it has a notice in the window that an application has been made to redevelop it...
Yorkville Ave was legendary before gentrification ruined the vibe.
Same story, Queen West.
And, now it's gone.
Sadly true
With the new condos in the area. I've been told Yorkville has already lost much of its counterculture character from the 60s.
And.....................its demolished. Doesnt matter, as the once great city of Toronto is also over anyway....not sure if i want to stick around to see just how 3rd world and generic it can get.
land is limited .. time to raise hippieville and move on
Yes, and have you seen the proposed development for there?
Hippieville is long gone. Yorkville is...was?... known for its upscale establishments...boutiques, restaurants, cafes. This has attracted new residential tower development in the area, but the irony is that these new developments are erasing the buildings that house these upscale establishments which attracted the development in the first place.