Forest Hill Village, located at Spadina Road and Lonsdale Avenue, has seen an array of chain establishments replace its many independent shops. The newest addition is an incoming LCBO, replacing Parker’s Dry Cleaning, which has some residents apprehensive.
Resident Jared Lindzon thinks that the store stands out too much from the once quaint village. “Everything in the Village, for better or worse, it looks like a village,” he said. “Now there’s just this sudden cube of beige. It’s a bit of an eyesore.” Lindzon, 25, has lived near the Village since he was a child. He said that he and his family slowly have seen the character of the area slip away over the years with the addition of businesses such as Aroma Espresso Bar and Hero Burgers.
Lindzon said that neighbours have speculated that the new LCBO may be replacing another nearby location. “I have heard rumours that the LCBO on St. Clair is closing,” said Lindzon, referring to the store at St. Clair Avenue West and Bathurst Street.
Representatives from the St. Clair LCBO were unable to confirm or deny rumours, stating that they had also heard rumours that they could be closing but had received no confirmation.
Coun. Joe Mihevc supports the addition of new retailers and said that the Forest Hill Village Business Improvement Area is happy with the changes. “The Forest Hill BIA is doing very well,” said Mihevc. “The rents are high, which is a good thing, and [the Village] is a place where people like to eat and hang and shop and bank in so on. It will only improve in the years to come.”
As for the LCBO, Mihevc says he welcomes the store because popular retailers will only enhance the Village’s signature shops.
“Mom-and-pop operations are very important, but stores like an LCBO can serve as an anchor to draw people in, and then they go do other things on the strip as well,” said Mihevc. “I don’t think this is an unhealthy development. My first concern is that the stores are full. There’s nothing worse than an empty storefront.”