Bay Subway station

Bay Station - Lost Articles branch

The Bay subway station is located on the Bloor / Danforth line of the Toronto Transit Commission (TTC).  It was opened in February 1966 and serves about 28,000 people a day.  

It is located in the Toronto neighbourhood called “Yorkville”.  Yorkville is the other side of the tracks to bargain shopping.  Many high society shops and restaurants are located at Hazelton lanes.  Though I couldn't afford most of what is around me there, but a high priced flavoured coffee won’t break my budget.

Hazelton Lanes

the Pens?

We did some window shopping and came into one shop called "Laywines."  They sold pens and organizers.  Entering the store I was amazed to see it was full of people looking for high priced, high quality pens with names such as “Montblanc”, “Parker” and “Waterman”; my friend spoke to one of 4 salesmen behind the pen counters and looking down through the glass I saw such a colorful and stylized array of pens with price tags up to $550!  For a pen?  The salemen told me they can go up into the thousands.  I imagine you could really write a good story with that!

Bathurst Subway station

Inside Station

The Bathurst Subway is located on the Bloor / Danforth line of the Toronto Transit Commission (TTC).  It was opened in February 1966 and serves about 28,000 people a day.

In the western part of the “Annex” neighbourhood, Bathurst subway station is home to many bargain shopping stores.  The most popular site is Honest Ed’s, owned by Ed Mirvish who opened its doors in 1948 and operated the store for almost 60 years until his death a few years ago.

Honest Ed is known by his marketing strategies, bringing merchandise at a low cost.  This time of year Honest Ed’s is giving away free turkeys just before Christmas!

Bargain shopping

Every year until just before he died he used to throw birthday parties for himself on July 24 that featured free cakes and hot dogs, candies and prizes.  Even now after his death the store continues each year in this tradition and marks it as a yearly anniversary celebrated with balloons and live music. 

TTC residents with shared privileges 

Oh, and while you exit the Bathurst station, you may have to slow down on your way out, as there are permanent residents that share the space with the TTC.

King Subway station

King station

The King subway station is located on the Yonge-University-Spadina line of the Toronto Transit Commission (TTC).  It was opened in March 1954 and serves about 60,000 people a day. 

On "the PATH" 

King subway is one of several stations (others are Dundas, Queen, Union and St. Andrew) connected to the underground mall system called “The Path”.  The Path is the largest underground mall in the world covering an area of 4 million square feet! In the heart of the Financial district, the Path connects major office towers underground.  In 1987 they developed a new signage system that would assist pedestrians to find their way around.

P (red/for south); A (orange/for west) T (blue/for north) H (yellow/for east).

Underground Shopping

It really is like an underground city with over 50 buildings, 20 parking garages, 6 hotels, 2 department stores, 2 major shopping malls and a rail and bus terminal.  Even the CN Tower and Rogers Centre further extends the linkage through a closed in walkway called the Skywalk.

One interesting fact that I noticed is King Street, although extremely busy during the week, is one of the few stations that are virtually barren on weekends.  This includes the underground city which is asleep once businesses close.

Found this entry to 1 King West

Located right at the corner of King and Yonge streets is 1 King West which is a 51 storey elite residence/hotel with over 500 rooms and a 2 floor penthouse.  Rooms are located in either the old or new area of the building, since the tower was built on an existing TD Bank built in 1914.

If you’re curious click here for more info on One King West

Just imagine if you lived and worked there, you need never have to ever go outside again?

Queen Street Subway

Queen Street Subway

The Queen subway station is located on the Yonge-University-Spadina line of the Toronto Transit Commission (TTC).  It was opened in March 1954 and serves about 58,000 people a day.  

Took this one inside the Eatons centre

As you exit past the turnstiles from the Queen subway you are faced with a decision of entering the south end of the Eaton’s Centre or the Hudson’s Bay Queen Street store. 

On street level there is a glass bridge which connects the two stores.  The Hudson’s Bay building is made of sandstone and was built in 1896 for the Simpson’s department store to replace the original 6 storey store that burned down a year prior.  This was the site of the famous Christmas window displays many years ago.

Man playing Erhu

Hudson's Bay Main floor

Located just outside the Queen station, we stopped and listened to a Chinese man I thought was playing a piece of iron but as it turns out it was an erhu, which is otherwise known as a “Chinese violin”.  It only has 2 strings but it is an extremely versatile instrument and can make traditional and contemporary melodies.  Read about the Erhu

Other landmarks located at Queen street subway that deserve honorable mention is Toronto’s old and new city hall.  Old city hall is now utilized as a courthouse.  It was built in 1899 for city council and has since been designated an historical site.  It has a clock tower which can be seen along nearby Bay street.

Old and New City hall

Toronto’s current city hall has a distinctive design and was built in 1965 by a Finnish architect who won the competition.  City Hall has two towers of uneven height that surround a white dome which is city council.  Even years after, there is still a futuristic look and feel to look of City Hall.

Dundas Subway station

Dundas Subway station

Bob Dylan, Geddy Lee, Nickleback

The Dundas subway station is located on the Yonge-University-Spadina line of the Toronto Transit Commission (TTC).  It was opened in March 1954 and serves about 50,000 people a day.  Located in the downtown core of Toronto, Dundas square is a public place for music, film screenings and public forums and was created as a result of commercial building demolitions in the area in 2002. 

Dundas and Yonge was a popular spot for me when I was a teenager and I have great memories here.  Nothing much has changed, the Hard Rock Café is still alive and well and they allowed us to come in a take some photographs today, which I thought was nice of them considering we didn’t order from the menu!  Of course Dundas is also the entrance to part of the Eatons Centre.  A spectacular shopping arena that extends all the way through to Queen street subway to the south.

Great Rock paraphernalia

For the Christmas season, historically Simpson's store used to have the most amazing window displays (ever seen “A Christmas Story” ) the movie?  Nowadays some displays I just don’t get, but for the most part, you will find pretty much anything and everything you are looking for, including for those hard to buy for people on your list.