Once upon a time, about 42 years ago actually, there was this country bumpkin from a sparsely populated farming community in Northern Ontario who arrived in Cabbagetown only to learn it was the most exotic place in the world. First he learned about Amelia Street and the peoples east of Parliament Street. Then he took up residence by the beer store at Gerrard and Seaton and discovered life on the west. The constant from both locations was the hub of the community, Parliament Street.
At all hours of the day, it was teaming with people from all walks of life. The long time residents left over from the war years, with a light dusting of hippies, dominated the rooming houses, the bars and the mum and pop businesses along Parliament Street. It felt strangely lonely as only a big city can feel.
I was thinking about this last week when my wife Karen and I walked down Parliament Street from Wellesley to the Distillery. It was a warm sunny January day and a coffee at Balzac's Coffee seemed like a good idea. Besides, since I've been selling houses and condos here for 25 years, I thought I should try getting out of my car to better explore the new street-scape that's been built these past few years.
Well I must tell you folks, it was a very pleasant stroll indeed. As you probably know, that wasn't always the case, most certainly not 42 years ago. In 1972 I worked the night shift at my summer job on a city garbage truck during my university days and we'd park at Dundas and Parliament to eat our lunch (or whatever you call a meal at 3:30 in the morning). We'd be entertained by the ne'er-do-wells as they performed their nightly deeds, many of which were of the illegal variety. It was like a theatrical event some nights. The blocks south of there were no better with vacant car lots, abandoned buildings etc.
Well, here we are in 2012 and Parliament Street is now a destination. I would never have imagined this 10 years ago. The shops north of Gerrard are diverse and as interesting as any in the city. The wasteland of poorly designed housing called Moss Park is mostly gone. The sidewalks are clean and safe. Feel like a Tim's? No problem. Need a few items at a fully stocked grocery store for your gourmet dinner? No problem.
Oh, and that abandoned industrial complex called the Distillery that housed the pigeons and the homeless? Well, it's simply become one of the most beautiful building complexes in Canada.
This photo comes from the Toronto Public Library Archives and shows Parliament Street, East side south of Gerrrd in 1952. All was demolished soon after to be replaced by Regent Park.
