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FOCUS: Band of Storytellers tells a tale (Sept. 2024)

November 8th, 2024 · Comments Off on FOCUS: Band of Storytellers tells a tale (Sept. 2024)

Brunswick House mural an Afrofuturistic tribute to Albert’s Hall 

Pictured above (from left) are Neiland Brissenden from the Bloor Annex BIA, artist Komi Olafimihan, storyteller Norman Richmond, and filmmaker-interdisciplinary artist Saroja Ponnambalam. COURTESY AYESHA KHAN/STEPS PUBLIC ART

By Ammara Khan and Meredith Poirier

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Tags: Annex · News

NEWS: Value Village Boutique takes over former Brunswick House site (Feb. 2023)

March 27th, 2023 · Comments Off on NEWS: Value Village Boutique takes over former Brunswick House site (Feb. 2023)

Boutique version of brand tailored to Annex

Second hand clothing boutique honours a storied past. (BRIAN BURCHELL/GLEANER NEWS)

By Fox Oliver

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Tags: Annex · News

NEWS: Brunny Rexall to shutter (May 2021)

June 15th, 2021 · Comments Off on NEWS: Brunny Rexall to shutter (May 2021)

Closing comes as a surprise after only 3 years in operation

On June 11, as many patios and retailers reopened, Rexall’s sign came down. NEILAND BRISSENDEN/GLEANER NEWS

By Nicole Stoffman

Rexall Pharmacy in the former Brunswick House is closing after only three years, on June 11. Employees will be re-assigned by the corporately-owned store, but the future of management is uncertain, according to an employee. 

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Tags: Annex · News

CHATTER (JULY 2017): Larry Sdao receives Community Builder Award

August 1st, 2017 · Comments Off on CHATTER (JULY 2017): Larry Sdao receives Community Builder Award

The Harbord Village Residents’ Association (HVRA) has given Larry Sdao its Community Builder Award. Sdao owns 481 Bloor St. W., formerly home to the Brunswick House. HVRA chair Gus Sinclair said that Sdao worked with the community to deal with “an intractable problem that was the Brunswick House business [Sdao’s former tenant]”.

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Tags: Annex · News

LETTERS

May 13th, 2016 · Comments Off on LETTERS

Beware the corporatization of Bloor Street

Re “Rexall replaces Brunswick House” (April 2016):

Anyone who sees Rexall’s move into the Brunswick location as a good thing or as a positive addition to the neighbourhood is sorrily mistaken. I am not sentimental regarding the loss of the Brunswick House itself, but sad to see a large American company move into this location. They will add nothing to the neighbourhood and take their profits out of Canada.

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Tags: Annex · Letters

NEWS: Rexall replaces Brunswick House

April 7th, 2016 · Comments Off on NEWS: Rexall replaces Brunswick House

Pharmacy drugstore chain says it will respect building’s heritage

“This will be a relief to the neighbourhood”—Sue Dexter, HVRA

By Annemarie Brissenden

After one last weekend-long blowout, the doors of the Brunswick House closed for good, leaving the neighbourhood eagerly anticipating the site’s next, presumably quieter and more agreeable, incarnation.

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Tags: Annex · News

Rexall to take over Brunswick House

March 23rd, 2016 · Comments Off on Rexall to take over Brunswick House

Pharmacy drugstore chain says it will respect building’s heritage

By Annemarie Brissenden

The Brunswick House has a new tenant.

Rexall, a pharmacy drugstore chain, will be taking over the first floor of the building at 481 Bloor St. W., confirmed landlord Larry Sdao. The betting lounge on the upper floors will be moving out, and Sdao said the second and third floors will be available to lease.

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Tags: Annex · News

Brunny patrons up in arms over “totally unchill residents”

April 1st, 2011 · Comments Off on Brunny patrons up in arms over “totally unchill residents”

Courtesy creative commons.

Courtesy creative commons.

By Zacchary K

While the often inebriated and occasionally violent behavior of  Brunswick House (481 Bloor St. W.) patrons upsets nearby residents, the bar goers say they are no strangers themselves to getting the cold shoulder from “lame-ass” locals.

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Tags: General