(puts on rose coloured glasses) At the time, Toronto had what was regarded the best transit system in North America, Eaton Center had the largest cinema in the world (?), the city had the Worlds Biggest Bookstore, Ontario Place was fully functional, the Scarborough LRT was shiny and new, the Gardner and Don Valley still seemed like good ideas, the Hoser Parade with Bob and Doug MacKenzie happened, Much Music was getting kick started in the CHUM-City building, the city wasn't amalgamated yet.
I moved to Toronto from Europe when I was 21 in 1979 and lived there until 1996. Toronto was truly special, it was exciting and full of life, but it was also one of North America's safest large cities. I wish that I could turn back the clock, even for a minute, I lived the best years of my life there. Thanks a million for the memories.
5th gen Torontonian, still here. Born in 1982. THIS was my childhood. The Eaton Centre (meeting at the fountain if we got lost), Lime Ricky’s, Lick’s and Toby’s burgers, walking down Yonge with my mum and sister and my mum holding our hands tightly in the sketchy bits, the Spaghetti Factory for birthday parties , St. Lawrence market and the smell of fish that stuck to your clothes , going to the Ex in the summer and watching my sister scream on the polar express. I was too afraid to go on rides. Huge lineups for Tiny Tom’s doughnuts (that hasn’t changed). This just made me so nostalgic and really sad in a weird way. Thanks for posting. 🥲❤
First time I visited Toronto was as a kid in 1989, one of my fondest childhood memories, coming from a city where the tallest building was 20 stories to seeing 70+ story buildings and what was then the tallest freestanding structure on Earth!
I remember the summer of '83 when the jays played a doubleheader against the Yankees in August. Winfield threw a baseball into the grandstand and I caught it. I still have that ball.
Kinda sketchy? Um, maybe a little bit (much more so in the 70s) I'd bet most people older than 55 would prefer to have it back over what Yonge is today. I personally preferred it in the 80s and I know I'm not alone in that feeling. It's soulless now. Really miss Mr. Greenjeans and JJ Muggs in the Eaton Centre and The Hard Rock Cafe across the street. And the planetarium, which Mike Harris closed when it was still profitable. 💔♥️
I really enjoyed going to Toronto in the early 80's. I'd go with my buddies for a weekend and, most of the time, we spent on Younge street, just walking and shopping. Endless hours in Sam the Record Man, A & A Records, Records on Wheels, and, several shops selling used and import records. Most of my music collection was picked up on Younge street. I also remember how safe I felt walking at night in downtown Toronto. Also, the rock bar life was amazing. The Gas Works was my favorite bar. I recall so many Canadian bands that were later successful. Best time of my early 20's, no question about it. Miss those days,
This is likely impossible to find but ever found any photos or video of the zen garden water fountain at sherway gardens? Its something I remember and thus far there's no media of it out there (I recall seeing a youtube video a long time ago but no trace of that is left)
@@OldTorontoSeries Thats not true. I was around in the 80’s. Me and my older cousins were always hanging around DT and in arcades. So crime was very minimal and it was more safe. The crimes today are extremely high.
I visited Toronto Back then and we stayed at the Neil Wycik Summer Hotel on Gerrard Street. And Yes Yonge Street was a bit sketchy back then. Kind of like but not as bad as 42nd Street in New York was back then.
I go to the art gallery all the time the antique minature perfume bottles are my favourite I have them on my phone and the infinity mirror room they have now is amazing
Wow. Great videos recognize many places. Eaton centre. My childhood was spent there movies. Later on QueenSt and yorkville hazelton lanes. Somanygreat memories sad Toronto isn’t as great as back then in my opinion. I know I Not alone in this
Thank you Morgan! This hurt my heart in more ways than one: not only for nostalgia but also the footage credited to the late great Dana Lee: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-ZReZPYuiaUs.html
