Toronto Eaton Centre – Pro’s and Con’s
by Logan Steele
My fellow Torontonians, I pose a question to you:
When did we begin to fall out of love with our beloved Eaton Centre?
Time after time when I bring up or mention having to go into this historic landmark to others, I am often confronted by the response of apprehension, condolence and over all dismissal. Now I realize this opinion is not shared by all, it does seem to be an attitude generally shared by those of us who dwell in and around the city’s core. While the citizen’s of our surrounding areas bare no qualms with frequenting this two block megaplex. The city’s inhabitants seem sooner to embrace dis-association.
For example invite your local trendy Queen St. sinister to the mall’s confines and you can all but guarantee a response of bafflement to why you feel this to be the course of retail therapy. Our Annex and College St. residents would seem sooner fit to go without the convenience of this one-stop centre than to grace its doorstep. And, don’t even think of bringing up the subject to our Bloor and Yorkville elite or face the consequence of banishment and ridicule just by the mere suggestion.
So, I am still left with the question of: Why?
As a first generation Canadian, as I am sure there are a lot of us out there. When did we grow so cold to the notion of the mall and all its hundred plus store inhabitants? Certainly our parents didn’t share this jaded point of view and welcomed the fact that they could buy both a three pack of gym socks and a cassette player all within the same structure. As a child the very mention of visiting Toronto’s capital of consumerism, would bring never-ending joy and excitement. And, would force you to get ready at almost lightning speed in the fear that your outing my get curtailed. So why now have we developed this love – hate relationship? We seem to love the the idea of having it around but, yet hate to go inside.
Have we grown so distant from the very centre we used to frequent as children, adolescents and young adults? What exactly has this mall done to us that has changed our views of it, so dramatically? So, in the effort of preserving this soured connection I propose this; a list of both Pro’s and Con’s for shopping at our world famous Eaton Centre. So that we can once and for all, lay our cards on the table. And, hopefully, finally rekindle or dissolve this life long kinship we have, with the once, largest shopping centre of Canada.
Now, let me start by saying I don’t really hate going to the Eaton Centre. I, like many others, am simply just not a “mall person”. I think that the feeling of reluctance I have towards the T.E.C could be extended to any malls, plaza or strip mall, believe me its nothing personal. However; I don’t think I will ever come upon the proper wording for how I feel, until I investigate further on why this particular mall brings such mixed emotions. For those of you who sympathize with my dilemma, this one is for you.
On with the list:
Pro – It is a one stop destination centre.
Con – It is often overly crowded and provides the ambiance of a herding ranch.
Pro – It is easily accessible by public transit.
Con – It is often frequented by society’s riff-raff and delinquents.
Pro – Being deemed as a tourist attraction, it is opened on holidays.
Con – Being deemed as a tourist attraction, it is opened on holidays. (this is for all the mall’s employees that have to show up to work on New Year’s day after the night of debauchery before, I feel for you.)
Pro – It is located in the heart of the city
Con – It is a point of contention to those who drive
Pro – It hosts a large selection of recognizable retailers.
Con – I really can’t find any problem with this point, let’s skip it.
I think that this is a good start. However; why should I be the only voice on this matter? At this point I would like to invite you, our readers, to contribute your own Pro’s and Con’s to our list. It is, after all, your mall as well. I think in conclusion a large part of our problem with the Eaton Centre is that we view it as a place of burden. And, we dread the moments that we have to go within it to achieve whatever shopping task that faces us. If we can merely start viewing it again as a place of practicality and easy solutions, I feel we may be on the right path of reconciliation. I urge you to not let the love die and remember the good times. Every relationship requires a period of adjustment, just how much are you willing to bend? It may be time to start fresh again.
Toronto Eaton Centre | 220 Yonge St.| (416) 598 – 8560
Hours:Mon-Fri 10– 9, Sat 9:30–7, Sun 12– 6
http://www.torontoeatoncentre.com
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