Hockey shrine sold out

Maple Leaf Gardens? Loblaws?

In 2005, the only leafs you’ll be seeing at Maple Leaf Gardens will be on fruits and vegetables. Based on a conditional sale awaiting regulatory approval, the former home of 11 Stanley Cup Championships will be turned into a grocery store.

Canadian-owned Loblaw Companies Ltd.intends to revitalize the facility to be a vibrant centre in the downtown core of Toronto with an array of food and non-food offerings.

“We certainly recognize the historic nature of this fine old establishment and will make appropriate tribute in the revitalization,” said Geoffrey Wilson, vice-president, industry and investor relations, Loblaw Companies Ltd.

Heritage Toronto will, certainly, make sure of that. They are in support of the Loblaws being built. Although renovations will occur, including a major excavation that will remove the concrete for the formerly coveted “golds” and the rest of the seating in order to make room for underground parking, the exterior will stay, pretty much, the same. Those reminiscent of The Gardens will be able to stand on Carlton and see the building just as it was when originally erected in 1931, only this time there will be a big sign saying Loblaws. And the food inside is healthier than beer and hot dogs.

According to Wilson, Loblaws will cater the Maple Leaf Gardens store to the community that it’s surrounded by. The question is: What does the community surrounding the Gardens want?

Kyle Rae, city councillor for the ward bordering Queen St. to Mount Pleasant Cemetery and Avenue Rd. to Sherbourne Ave., supported Loblaws moving in. “The building has been empty for five years. It is important that it be an active part of the community. [This store] will also be a draw for developers to come to the east side of Yonge.”

Frank Mangione, manager, Pusateri Fruit Market, located at 497 Church St., sells mainly fresh produce. How will this new grocery super-store influence his business?

“All of us [other food stores in the vicinity] will be affected,” Magione said. “[But] customer service is our number one thing. We’ll continue doing what we’re doing as best.”

Pusateri Fruit Market (497 Church St.)

S&H.cadiscovered Rae is one of Pusateri Fruit Market’s customers. Mangione has faith in the fact that his customers will appreciate the independent nature and the quality customer service that his store offers and remain loyal.

So what does this mean for Torontonians? Some are glad to have a grocery superstore that intends to employ approximately 300 people, to where 60 per cent of the customers can walk. The Gardens store will have areas dedicated to the building’s history and a retail store that will sell Maple Leaf memorabilia and merchandise, officials said.

“Our goal has always been to sell the Gardens to a buyer that would respect the history and the heritage of the building,” said Bob Hunter, senior vice-president and general manager of Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment, Ltd. “Loblaw’s [has] experience in redeveloping inner city sites while retaining the integrity and heritage of the property.”

Many people question why Ricoh Canada didn’t take over The Gardens as opposed to building the CNE’s new Ricoh Coliseum? It’s simple. Ricoh Canada purchased the naming rights to the building and, as explained by Ricoh Canada, it is “not a construction company.”

So what’s the word on the street about The Gardens turned garden? People don’t like it. “It’s such a nice, old building,” said Anne, a school secretary. “Condos, yes, but I thought that they could do better than a Loblaws”.

Another man was noticeably angered by the sale altogether, saying that The Gardens was a place where “hockey history was made.”

The sale of Maple Leaf Gardens is still conditional, but for all intents and purposes, this project is going full steam ahead as planned. So for all of you die-hard Leafs fans, buy an organic apple at the new Loblaws and head on over to the ACC.

The moral of this story: You just can’t beat big business.

Photography and photo manipulation by Antoine Tedesco