Woodbine Centre

[J-M-Z]

It looks like one of the Fantasy Fair's entrances was blocked off with fencing.

telefann, did you jump the barricades just to get us these shots? If so, I find that very heroic of you.

 

[Amare]

It looks like one of the Fantasy Fair's entrances was blocked off with fencing.

telefann, did you jump the barricades just to get us these shots? If so, I find that very heroic of you.

Not criticizing @telefann at all as these are great photo updates, but if it were me i'd definitely jump over the roped off area simply because I have 0 respect for the slumlord owner and what he's done to this mall. That and the fact he's trying to sell it off to Amazon (or has already potentially sold it off).

 

[telefann]

It looks like one of the Fantasy Fair's entrances was blocked off with fencing.

telefann, did you jump the barricades just to get us these shots? If so, I find that very heroic of you.

No, I'm not that adventurous but I did manage to lean in and grab a peek. And damn was it haunted!

 

[telefann]

Not criticizing @telefann at all as these are great photo updates, but if it were me i'd definitely jump over the roped off area simply because I have 0 respect for the slumlord owner and what he's done to this mall. That and the fact he's trying to sell it off to Amazon (or has already potentially sold it off).

There were moments today when I was literally on the verge of tripping because of how shoddy the floor tile workmanship was. How this pile of c**p managed to pass inspection is beyond me. Talk about a flood of lawsuits waiting to happen.

This, of course, is not to mention the utterly ancient signage (no photos, sorry!) scattered throughout the mall with "Sears" and pre-rebrand "The Bay" logos from god-knows-when completely intact. Depressing.

 

[Irishmonk]

It's the perfect site for another Zombie inspired/rip-off flick. Too bad George is no longer with us.

 

[J-M-Z]

For quite some time now, I have been thinking about offering guided tours of the Woodbine Centre.

The tour will include many historic stops on the premises while educating both young and old alike of the stores that
used to operate in everyone's favourite train wrec...err...mall.

The working title? "The Fantasy That Used To Be - The Rise And Fall of the Woodbine Centre."

 

[Tim MacDonald]

Don't forget that Fantasy Fair Can't operate right now due to Covid19 restrictions.

 

[SubHuman]

Just came back from a trip to this mall and, my god, what an apocalyptic s***show it is. 90% of shops shut ...

Even when they fully reopen, I think it is possible that some other malls may look a little more like Woodbine, with lots of stores shut. A few entire chains have shut down, so I would assume some of the small independent shops will not be back.

 

[Richard White]

Even when they fully reopen, I think it is possible that some other malls may look a little more like Woodbine, with lots of stores shut. A few entire chains have shut down, so I would assume some of the small independent shops will not be back.

Scarborough Town Centre has closed up alot of stores and I fear that more will be closed soon.

The STC has alot of high-end niche stores and alot of brand name stores like Roots, Foot Locker, etc that can easily be replaced with online shopping (with a better selection).

It sucks but the retail landscape is changing from a brick and mortar model to online based one.

 

[J-M-Z]

I walked past the S.T.C. a few weeks ago and noticed the giant movie posters outside haven't been changed since last February (pre-pandemic).

Sad indeed. Especially with all of the positive aspects S.T.C. possesses such as GO Train/TTC access within the mall. Visible from the 401, close to
Walmart, Best Buy, YMCA & Jack Astors. Not to mention, the number of condos in the surrounding area.

The type of perks the Woodbine Centre could only dream about in 2021.

 

[interchange42]

For quite some time now, I have been thinking about offering guided tours of the Woodbine Centre.

The tour will include many historic stops on the premises while educating both young and old alike of the stores that
used to operate in everyone's favourite train wrec...err...mall.

The working title? "The Fantasy That Used To Be - The Rise And Fall of the Woodbine Centre."

I think that could be a poignant bit of disaster tourism… but I'd expect that security would turf you and the tourees outta there.

42

 

[J-M-Z]

Just got my second Pfizer shot and, (after a two week probation period) plan to head down to the Woodbine Centre for some more photos.

Hopefully the mall will still be standing by the time I get down there. I've been hankering for some Maggiano's.

 

[J-M-Z]

Some more vintage Woodbine ads from the 1980's.

I'd like to think all of you are You 'Nique in the Urban Toronto community.

This next photo captures exactly how I feel about visiting the Woodbine Centre next week:

From the neighbouring Ascot Inn. An original ticket from 1981.

I find those eyebrows a little unsettling.

Next up, three words that sadly still apply to the Woodbine Centre today:

Special thanks to Eugenio Arcilesi of the Rexdale - Old Photos facebook group for these clippings.

 

[J-M-Z]

After a year of being away: yesterday's trip to the Woodbine Centre:

Thank you. It's good to be back, Woodbine.

Remember when it used to be a chore finding a parking spot here?

Such a tease as always. The artist formerly known as Maggiano's.

Who else would care to provide you with artistic photos of a Woodbine Centre trash can?

More tiles in need of repair. Front entrance.

The first store on the right. Used to be Sportchek, and before that: the Chinese restaurant Abacus.

Moving along: just in case you don't feel like visiting the Siena Hotel in Rome, you can pretend you did while standing next to this mural.

I've always hated the first three letters of my name, too.

A new now-hiring sign?!

Surprisingly, I never knew environment was spelled that way.

On the left-hand side, this used to be Music World and The Rock Co.

I wish the Woodbine changed owners again. Front entrance.

Who needs natural sunlight and clouds from the windows in the main hallways? Lower level heading towards the elevator on the first floor.

Usually the Christmas decorations come down after the holidays. Not at the Woodbine Centre!

 

[J-M-Z]

Part 2 of my Woodbine Centre reunion tour.

The fountain by the elevator is still empty. Main concourse.

Looks like we have a new Cinema coming. Hopefully, this new cinema will keep playing Hollywood movies.

I'm no movie buff, but I felt they kinda jumped the shark after Hole In The Wall 3. What used to be the Imagine Cinemas movie preview section.

In the 80's, behind these walls were actual stores. A Humber office to the left and a glasses store to the right.

Remember the McDonald's in the Fantasy Fair? Now it's a virtual reality parlour.

I'd like to simulate the experience of ordering a Bic Mac, please.

Where Santa keeps all of his liquidated goodies.

More Christmas ornaments up in July. And, no...you can't eat the peppermint.

I tried.

The Fantasy Fair is back in operation. But for how long I wonder?

Mr. Rex after his cash settlement against Woodbine for slipping on expired soda.

Previously on Jumanji.

My liquidation sense is tingling. A giant (and random) Spider-Man poster over the west exit of the Fantasy Fair towards the upper level.

When I was walking by the Fantasy Station (the arcade that used to be in the Fantasy Fair), I saw an electrician unscrewing lightbulbs
and then sealing up the arcade.

I took these photos of the arcade in it's current state through the fencing.

I'm guessing the virtual reality arcade at the other end of the Fair is going to replace the Fantasy Station.

I'd like to think the owner reads our forum posts and google reviews. The mishmash of different chairs and tables are gone!

The damaged tiles around the escalator near Imagine Cinemas have since been fixed, too.

Stores are open and people were surprisingly milling about on a Monday afternoon.

Still wish there was water in that fountain, though.