The homogeneric Toronto where Honest Eds flourished has well and truly gone. Another one, just as interesting has arisen. Its quirky retail characters are no longer found in bargain stores - the ubiquity & the buying power of the Green and Yellow brand of Dollar store has seen Eds off way more then Walmart. 

The weird and spontaneous and energy fulfilling can be found in local restaurants across the city from Malvern to Long Branch. And in the bike shops, and the breweries and the clothing stores and the pet stores and the thousands of other entrepreneurial outlets across the city be they retail or consultants or online.  

Like others, I rarely experienced Honest Eds cause I didn't need it. But I do experience this new city daily and although there is no iconic venue the city shares in,  this city no longer needs such a venue. We have grown up &  experience the city as individuals in its breadth & depth.  Shared icons for us all are no longer needed. 

"Onwards and Upwards!", I say.