Clinton’s Tavern has re-opened under new ownership after closing back in February and is set to house the new Bloor West Flea Market as its Sunday special event.

The 83-year-old bar at 694 Bloor St. W. has been bought and re-opened by Echo Karaoke. The new ownership developed a menu incorporating Korean food with pub food.

“The new owners of Clinton’s are very invested in the neighbourhood. They’re very invested in making Clinton’s a great space again. It has long been neglected, and just left by the wayside, so they’re really excited to revive Clinton’s and, you know, make it that space that people love in the neighbourhood,” says Felicia Laplume, organizer and curator of the flea markets.

Laplume is converting the Clinton’s building into the Sunday Bloor West Flea Market. Laplume adds that the patio and bar are open for drinks and food while the market is running. Nonetheless, people cannot eat inside the market space due to COVID-19 precautions.

“We really want to help people understand that Clinton’s is now committed to being not only a bar and restaurant but a community space as well, and a performance space, a place for artists and musicians,” says Laplume.

Laplume, who launched the Trinity Bellwoods Flea in 2015, says one of the reasons behind the new flea is to provide more vendor and customer spaces.

“At the beginning of 2020, Clinton’s old ownership kind of abandoned the building, and in the midpoint of the summer, it was taken over by the new ownership. Clinton’s is assumed to be a historical landmark in the city, and the monthly market can help the space be revived into more of multi-purpose space, not so much just a bar but also a place where people can visit during the day.”

Launched on September 27, The Bloor West Flea Market is a curated monthly market and runs on the final Sunday of each each month from 11 am to 6 pm. Visit www.bloorwestfleamarket.com for details.

—Tanya Ielyseieva/Gleaner News

READ MORE:

• NEWS: Clinton’s Tavern on Bloor closes after 83 years (Apr. 2020)