It's People Who Make a City

With the passing of Ed Mirvish today, it's interesting to reflect on just how much of an impact one life can have on a city. Ed is of course famous for Honest Ed's, a bargain emporium that he started by going to every estate and fire sale he could find and cleaning them out. He then sold these goods at bargain prices. He could have opened a luxury store in TO, but having previously experienced pretty tough times, he was all about helping those who needed help. Free turkeys at Christmas had people lined up for hours. Without Ed, they'd likely have no turkey.

Of course, he also purchased the Royal Alex, which was slated for demolition and went on to revive the theatre district and industry in TO.

All of this simply sounds like a nice eulogy, but it's really much more. He filled a niche that no one else was prepared to fill. He made a difference for those who find it tough to get ahead, no matter how much they work. He brought revenue to a city that needed it, by thinking outside of conventional wisdom. He did much more than this of course, but suffice it to say, he lived a life that really made a difference.

I think of the people who made Toronto their home and I'd say we've been pretty privileged. Jane Jacobs, June Callwood, Ed Mirvish, to name just a few. We are poorer for their loss.

I know it's fashionable to bash TO, but I've lived here a long time. All cities have problems, TO, no exception, but there is an awful lot to like too, not the least of which, are the people who care about it.