Doesn’t it feel like stepping back in time? Parkway Mall whispers tales of Toronto’s suburban dreams. Opened in 1958, Parkway Mall at Ellesmere Road and Victoria Park Avenue was once Parkway Plaza. It marked the arrival of the space age in Toronto’s eastern suburbs.
Just imagine! Before Parkway Mall, this area was Maryvale. It had farms and fields near Senator Frank O’Connor’s estate. Modernity came swiftly. Highway 401 opened in 1956. Housing sprung up quickly.
Cadillac Development Corporation bought land for a shopping center. They hired Bregman and Hamann architects. The Parkway Plaza was one of their first projects. The design was typical for suburban malls. It had a large parking lot advertised as “a world of free parking.”
The anchor unit set Parkway Mall apart. It was leased to Grand Union supermarkets. It featured a gigantic parabolic arched roof. Glass walls stood at either end. Curved wooden beams supported the structure. It was among the largest of its kind in Canada in 1958.
Parkway Plaza held space-themed events for its opening. A “Queen of Outer Space” contest drew attention. Nine models dressed as planets paraded around the plaza. Shoppers judged them on personality and beauty. The winner received a screen test. She also got to meet Zsa Zsa Gabor.
Grand Union didn’t last long at Parkway Mall. Steinberg’s bought the company in 1959. The store operated under Steinberg’s name. Later it became Miracle Food Mart until 1989.
In the late 1970s, Parkway Plaza changed a lot. The circular record store was torn down. Stores expanded into the parking lot. The mall turned inward. Stores that faced outside were reoriented inside. This left a forbidding facade with service doors and concrete walls.
The supermarket’s presence diminished. At some point, wooden support beams were covered with concrete. Since 2005, the supermarket has operated under the Metro banner.
In 2009, Parkway Plaza became a heritage property. It was the first post-war supermarket building in Toronto. It was designated under the Ontario Heritage Act in 2015.
Today, Parkway Mall is protected from further changes. It stands as a reminder of Toronto’s suburban past. Parkway Mall offers essential community stores. You will find over 100 stores, services, and eateries. Monthly events bring fun. You can find unique items. Dining offers flavors from around the world. A bowling alley and library are also on-site. Parkway Mall is a community hub. It is more than just a shopping center. It is a piece of Toronto’s history.