DISCOVERY

The jewel of the site,the North Station with HISTORICAL its clock tower stretching 145 feet into the sky is one of the most recognizable timepieces in the city. The long-time tenant of this historical building, the LCBO, also embraced Cohen’s dream, as LCBO spokesman splendour Chris Layton points out. “This is probably the most exciting store development project that we’ve ever BY MARYLENE VESTERGOM been involved with,” says Layton. “It’s not only the largest LCBO store in Canada, but we’re also assisting in the preservation of a historical building. It’s a good In the early 1900s, two major railways, Canadian Pacific and Canadian Northern, were trying fit for the LCBO because the world of wine, spirits and to find a new location for . The railways couldn’t agree on a mutual site, beer has a lot of cachet to it. It conjures up wine cel- lars and history, and it’s great when you can meld that so Canadian Pacific decided to build a new station in North Toronto, nestled in the tony world with the history of Toronto.”

community of Rosedale. Unfortunately, when the station opened in 1916 the new site for Union “There’s a presence in this building,” says Cohen. Station was agreed upon, overshadowing the opening of the North Toronto Train Station at “There’s one archival picture in particular of a family lining up for tickets and they’re dressed in their Sunday and Summerhill Avenue, a further signal its demise would not be long. Although best. I can see them walking from the ticket wicket over to the departure board, where they would look at the station was successful, it only lasted until about 1927. It was re-opened with great fanfare where their cars would be. Imagine, 86 years ago peo- in 1939 when King George Vl and Queen Elizabeth came to Toronto, and then used again for ple were waiting here for their train, to go see their grandmother in Peterborough.” “It’s such an impres- repatriating troops at the end of World War II. But that marked the end of the station’s run. sive building,”says Layton.“Go into the Great Hall and you’ll see its 15-metre-high cathedral ceiling,the marble In 1932, the Brewers Retail rented space in the north part of the building. And then on July 1, walls, and you’ll even see where the ticket wickets stood.”“ All the brass ticket wickets – all five of them 1940, the LCBO (Liquor Control Board of ) signed a lease to take the remainder of the are intact,”says Cohen.

building for one of its stores. Although the interior of the station was boarded up with false YOU’LL ACTUALLY BE LOOKING THROUGH THEM walls hiding the historical splendour of this building from those who had made this their wine TO THE DEMONSTRATION KITCHEN,” SAYS LAYTON. THAT’S WHERE WE WILL HOLD OUR and spirit destination for more than 60 years, 15 years ago it became the passion of urban COOKING DEMOS,WINE APPRECIATION CLASSES AND TUTORED TASTINGS. planner/developer Mitchell Cohen, VP of Equifund Corporation, who painstakingly worked on the re-zoning of the land surrounding the North Toronto Station – all 18 acres. “We want people to discover the world of wine, spirits and beer and fully enjoy the range of products that’s available in a historical setting. We have display areas with products all through the building, and in keeping with the original train station features, the doors to the stairwells that used to go up to track level have been refurbished,”says Layton.

The Summerhill LCBO easily slips into the skin of this historical landmark. In keeping with the idea of preser- vation, it will also house historical photographs and artifacts which were uncovered throughout the restoration process,providing a porthole into our past.

The Summerhill store is the flagship location for the LCBO.With the average stores offering 1,500 to 2,500 products, the Summerhill LCBO will at least double that amount, providing consumers a full range of ideas for their entertaining needs.

And once you’ve toured the LCBO Summerhill store,take time to sit in Scrivener Square and enjoy the building’s historic presence. It’s a window on the city’s past.

© Equifund Corporation SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER 2003 • 9 DISCOVERY ➟ LCBO SUMMERHILL is located at 10 Scrivener Square. But everyone in the city knows it as the LCBO Summerhill at Summerhill and Yonge Street. From Union Station it's a short 20-minute subway ride northbound on the Yonge line. Get off at the Summerhill subway stop and then walk south on Yonge Street, (416) 922-0403, www.LCBO.com www.northtorontostation.com NEED TO NEED TO KNOW

© Great Hall Overview, Courtesy of LCBO and Fiorino Design

© Tasting Room Overview, Courtesy of LCBO and Fiorino Design

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