Honest Ed’s, Toronto Landmark

Honest Ed’s was a landmark discount store in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. It was named for its proprietor, Ed Mirvish, who opened the store in 1948 and oversaw its operations for almost 60 years until his death in 2007. The store continued to operate until it permanently closed on December 31, 2016.

Honest Ed’s was located originally on Markham Street at the corner of Bloor. The original entrance was on Markham Street. This was done because property taxes would be higher if the store was accessed from Bloor Street. In the block between Markham and Bloor there was a Toronto Dominion Bank and a Loblaw’s groceteria which was purchased and occupied as part of the store complex in the early 1950s. When lineups formed to gain access to the store Toronto police directed the lines to go down Markham Street again, to ensure the store was taxed as a Markham Street business instead of a Bloor Street business. Throughout the store were such hand-painted slogans and enticements to buy as “not cheaper anywhere else in Toronto”, “You cannot do without this”, and “Every home needs this”