Anyone know the date? I haven't been since the 20th century.
https://twitter.com/mirtle/status/1151844838624714752
https://twitter.com/mirtle/status/1151844838624714752
Gretzky's Is Closing
- Thread starter roadhog
- Start date
Real estate in the area is crazy expensive, the restaurant probably isn't turning a profit anyways. Condos going up.
Actually, I'd say that Second City having to relocate for those same condos is more significant than Gretzky's relocating. Definitely more history associated with SC.
Second City Toronto was the launching point for Joe Flaherty, John Candy, Martin Short, Gilda Radner, Catherine O'Hara, Dan Aykroyd, Jayne Eastwood and many many others. We will miss it.
Exactly my point. SC is a cultural, historical landmark. Gretzky's is a glorified burger joint founded by someone wanting to capitalize on his name (not that there's anything wrong with that).
Although I have no direct knowledge about any of the business affairs of Wayne Gretzky's restaurant, I highly doubt he "founded it". My guess is he never invested one nickel of his own money in the restaurant. His contribution was likely to supply a large assortment of various hockey memorabilia in exchange for an annual fee to use his name on the establishment as well as record a few radio commercials which could be done anywhere and played on Toronto radio stations.
That's pretty much the way another (now closed) restaurant bearing the name of a former NHLer operated for several years when my previous firm was doing the audit of that restaurant.
Think of it another way, if you made millions playing hockey, why would you risk any of it in a business [the restaurant/bar/grill business] that has one of the highest failure rates going.
You can look it up somewhere, but my quick guess is that a little over 80% of restaurants don't survive to the 5 year mark. That doesn't include Franchised/Chain Restaurants, but vey few of them are actually making their owners rich after the franchisor takes 5 or 6% of the top. Some independent restaurant owners actually put in 60 - 70 hours a week or more.
Wendel has a number of restaurants. Don't know why he doesn't have one in DT Toronto.
https://wendelclarks.com/
I think the one in his home town of Saskatoon is the one he owns the others are franchises.
I couldn't care less about Gretzky's, good riddance.
I do care about Second City, they have until Nov 2020 to relocate.
I do care about Second City, they have until Nov 2020 to relocate.
The whole block bound by Peter, King, John and Wellington is up for redevelopment. The SC building is the last one to be knocked down. Joe Badalli's got knocked down, too on Front. The old Toronto is disappearing at worp speed. Anybody tried wine from Gretzky's winery? Is it as bland as the man or something worth trying?
Meh. This is second cuty’s 4th location in Toronto. Moving again is nbd.
The big change was when they left the “old firehall” on Lombard street.
The new place will be fine.
I agree. I was sad the "glorified burger joint" (I agree) was closing, so I went by last weekend for dinner before the TFC game. The hostess (cunt, can I say cunt? cause that is what she was) was so friggin miserable I left and walked along King and found a better place to spend my money before heading to BMO Field.
