Submitted by Martinus Gelenyse
It may not be a waterfront sculpture or a historic monument, but it certainly is one of the true North End landmarks: Ed’s Variety. It has become a part of the neighbourhood furniture for most of us; a property that we hardly even notice anymore when we drive or walk past it. The truth is, it hasn’t actually been owned by anyone named Ed for decades now, and it hasn’t been an active variety store for roughly 8 years either.
The building was built around 1913. Large supermarkets weren’t common in that era, and so smaller corner grocers were the purveyors of most foods and daily goods for downtown neighbourhoods. This property was likely purpose-built as a corner store, and it went on to serve the North End as such for years, later becoming a convenience store as trendy new supermarkets reduced consumer reliance on corner grocers.
Many of us in the area are well-acquainted with Ed Fisher, the owner of Fisher’s Pub, which is situated directly across James North from Ed’s Variety. Despite what some people may think, Ed Fisher is not the “Ed” of “Ed’s Variety”. In fact, when I asked him about the old corner store across from his restaurant, Ed fondly recalled going there for candy as a kid growing up around the corner. It was already called Ed’s Variety then, after Ed Griffin, the proprietor. “It’s always been Ed’s Variety, as long as I can remember” he noted. Even when the building changed hands, to later owners like the Oliveiras and Neves families, the variety store continued operating as “Ed’s Variety”. After years as the neighbourhood destination for milk, bread, candy, and smokes, the store finally closed down in 2015.
For the greater part of the last decade, the property has sat in limbo. Attempts were made to lease out the vacant storefront, while residential tenants occupied the large upstairs apartment. The store remained vacant. Unfortunately, this was largely a result of its highly restrictive Residential D zoning. Permitted uses included a seminary, day nursery, and a few other generally non-viable options.
In May of 2021, the current owners purchased the building. They undertook to solve the zoning issues and successfully achieved a variance from the City to allow for a restaurant use on the main floor. They also completed drawings and obtained a building permit to make the second floor a fabulous 2-bed + 2-bath apartment. Their plans ultimately changed over the last year, and so they have put the property up for sale at $799,000. This time, however, it offers a real opportunity for new owner to open a cafe or restaurant. And, with the building permit in-hand already, a buyer can start building the upstairs apartment the day they close on the place. Live/work anyone?
Now, to be clear, I and my associate, Ben Zarate, are the agents listing this little landmark for sale. However, long before I listed this property, I fell in love with its potential. After all, can you imagine how much attention this building would receive if it were suddenly renovated into a cafe? If the old metal cladding were taken off and the original red brick facade was revealed and restored? The south west corner of James North and Wood has been a community hub for decades. I hope it will be so again soon
Martinus Geleynse is a Senior Vice President of Sales and REALTOR® with Sotheby’s International Realty Canada, Brokerage. He lives just off James Street North and works out of his office on James Street South. You can reach him at 905-537-4819 or mgeleynse@sothebysrealty.ca. Find his team and his listings at www.martinus.ca
