After rumours that an upscale grocer and liquor store would move into the former Brennan Pontiac car dealership at 1860 Bayview Ave., the lead tenant has been confirmed as a Whole Foods Market. The upscale organic grocer is slated to open a 50,000-square-foot store in Leaside in 2015, according to a recent press release.
Plans to redevelop the site faced a number of obstacles, starting when the applicant tried to sidestep North York Community Council by going through the committee of adjustment and continuing when the applicant appealed to the Ontario Municipal Board. This happened amid local concerns about the traffic volume this type of development would generate.
Coun. Jaye Robinson didn’t expect that residents were surprised at all about Whole Foods being the lead tenant or that they have strong feelings about it one way or the other. They have been opposed to the overall development from the beginning, she said. But, after it seemed the dust had settled, the property changed hands, and the new owner is contemplating changes to the approved development plan.
“They’re thinking of altering the design,” Robinson said. “They haven’t made a decision yet.”