roy's square.jpg

Roy's Square Post Mortem

This week I put on my investigative reporter hat and went for a stroll around the soon-to-be ghost town that is Roy's Square. I wanted to see how the businesses were coping with being kicked out and what their plans for the future were. In case you missed it, Roy's Square at Yonge and Bloor is going to be completely destroyed to make way for the behemoth that is 1 Bloor.

As expected, no one was happy about moving and some were quite depressed about it, but overall I was glad to see that most of the businesses will be living on in some form or another elsewhere in the city.

For a (somewhat) complete list of the businesses of Roy's Square and their fates, keep reading after the jump.

Businesses that are definitely relocating:

Biryani House - Possibly the best cheap Indian food in the city, Biryani House is moving to 15 Hayden St. This makes me very, very happy.

Marco's Shoe Repair - Get your Birkenstock's re-soled at 890a Church St.

YWCA Store - New location opening uptown at 81 St Clair East.

Falafel House - Shawarma now being served in their new location across the street on Yonge.

Super Discount Plus - Where else can you buy a used fax machine and Mach3 Razor refills? New location will be opening at 558 Yonge St.

Mudo - Yonge Street fashionistas can now shop at 660 Yonge.

Toby's - Grab some wings and beer at their new location at Bathurst and College.

Silver 4U - Moving to 913 Yonge.

Egyptian Psychic - She saw this one coming and secured a lease at Yonge + Yorkville.

Roy's Square Dry Cleaners - Moving to 25 Hayden

Lunch Break Mediterranean Food - Moving to 760 Yonge St.

Nails by Annie - Moving out to Kingston Road

Electronic Watch Service Centre - Moving up the street to 50 Cumberland.

Businesses that would like to relocate but have yet to secure a lease elsewhere:

City Optical - When I think of Yonge and Bloor this shop with its enormous and some would say hideous signage is the first thing that comes to mind. They are expecting to secure a location somewhere in the Bay and Bloor area.

The Salad House - Still looking for a new location.

Banana Leaf Thai Cuisine - Still looking for a new location.

Popeyes Fried Chicken - Mmmm fried chicken.

Businesses that are shutting down altogether:

Harvey's - Rest assured Harvey's fans, there is not a conspiracy to remove all Harvey's from the downtown core as a new location is said to be coming to Yonge and Dundas.

Mr Sub - Already emptied out. I think if you look hard enough you might be able to find another Mr. Sub downtown...

Felix & Norton - Already emptied out.

Smoke and News - After 14 years in this location they will be shutting down as they cannot afford to lease another space in the area.

Coffee Coffee - Already emptied out.

Roy's Garden Chinese Cuisine - Closing after 14 years in business.

Hyart Gallery and Custom Framing - Closing down but the owner said he will still operate his business out of his own house.

Japan and Korea House - Already emptied out.

Currency Exchange - Tourists will have to go elsewhere to get our almighty dollar as this place is already emptied out.

Ritz Carribean Food - Already emptied out but other locations are in the area like 606 Yonge.

New York New York Accessories and Body Piercing - Get something weird pierced at their other locations - Queen West and Sheridan Mall (North York) as this place is shutting down.

Zulu fashion Accessories - Already closed.

Caffery Van Horne - Already closed.

Also worth mentioning that The Shoe Company and the other businesses in the section south of Roy's Square and north of Hayden street (including The Naval Club) have another 7 months before they will have to vacate.

Andrew la Fleur is a registered Real Estate Agent and regular contributor to blogTO.


Latest Videos



Latest Videos


Join the conversation Load comments

Latest in City

New laws and rules coming to Ontario next month

Next phase of Gardiner Expressway work to begin and here's what to expect

Toronto will get more water taxis to relieve overcrowded island ferries

Huge earth-chewing titans will soon carve out Toronto's new $27B subway line

The most popular pet name in Toronto is the same for both cats and dogs

Key Toronto intersection is finally reopening after days-long emergency closure

Troublesome raccoon stalls TTC subway service in most Toronto incident ever

More Canadians are about to have an easier time filing their taxes