(puts on rose coloured glasses) At the time, Toronto had what was regarded the best transit system in North America, Eaton Center had the largest cinema in the world (?), the city had the Worlds Biggest Bookstore, Ontario Place was fully functional, the Scarborough LRT was shiny and new, the Gardner and Don Valley still seemed like good ideas, the Hoser Parade with Bob and Doug MacKenzie happened, Much Music was getting kick started in the CHUM-City building, the city wasn't amalgamated yet.
Kinda sketchy? Um, maybe a little bit (much more so in the 70s) I'd bet most people older than 55 would prefer to have it back over what Yonge is today. I personally preferred it in the 80s and I know I'm not alone in that feeling. It's soulless now. Really miss Mr. Greenjeans and JJ Muggs in the Eaton Centre and The Hard Rock Cafe across the street. And the planetarium, which Mike Harris closed when it was still profitable. 💔♥️
@@OldTorontoSeries Thats not true. I was around in the 80’s. Me and my older cousins were always hanging around DT and in arcades. So crime was very minimal and it was more safe. The crimes today are extremely high.
This is likely impossible to find but ever found any photos or video of the zen garden water fountain at sherway gardens? Its something I remember and thus far there's no media of it out there (I recall seeing a youtube video a long time ago but no trace of that is left)
5th gen Torontonian, still here. Born in 1982. THIS was my childhood. The Eaton Centre (meeting at the fountain if we got lost), Lime Ricky’s, Lick’s and Toby’s burgers, walking down Yonge with my mum and sister and my mum holding our hands tightly in the sketchy bits, the Spaghetti Factory for birthday parties , St. Lawrence market and the smell of fish that stuck to your clothes , going to the Ex in the summer and watching my sister scream on the polar express. I was too afraid to go on rides. Huge lineups for Tiny Tom’s doughnuts (that hasn’t changed). This just made me so nostalgic and really sad in a weird way. Thanks for posting. 🥲❤
First time I visited Toronto was as a kid in 1989, one of my fondest childhood memories, coming from a city where the tallest building was 20 stories to seeing 70+ story buildings and what was then the tallest freestanding structure on Earth!
I remember the summer of '83 when the jays played a doubleheader against the Yankees in August. Winfield threw a baseball into the grandstand and I caught it. I still have that ball.
I moved to Toronto from Europe when I was 21 in 1979 and lived there until 1996. Toronto was truly special, it was exciting and full of life, but it was also one of North America's safest large cities. I wish that I could turn back the clock, even for a minute, I lived the best years of my life there. Thanks a million for the memories.
I visited Toronto Back then and we stayed at the Neil Wycik Summer Hotel on Gerrard Street. And Yes Yonge Street was a bit sketchy back then. Kind of like but not as bad as 42nd Street in New York was back then.
I really enjoyed going to Toronto in the early 80's. I'd go with my buddies for a weekend and, most of the time, we spent on Younge street, just walking and shopping. Endless hours in Sam the Record Man, A & A Records, Records on Wheels, and, several shops selling used and import records. Most of my music collection was picked up on Younge street. I also remember how safe I felt walking at night in downtown Toronto. Also, the rock bar life was amazing. The Gas Works was my favorite bar. I recall so many Canadian bands that were later successful. Best time of my early 20's, no question about it. Miss those days,
Wow. Great videos recognize many places. Eaton centre. My childhood was spent there movies. Later on QueenSt and yorkville hazelton lanes. Somanygreat memories sad Toronto isn’t as great as back then in my opinion. I know I Not alone in this
Thank you Morgan! This hurt my heart in more ways than one: not only for nostalgia but also the footage credited to the late great Dana Lee: th-cam.com/video/ZReZPYuiaUs/w-d-xo.html
I go to the art gallery all the time the antique minature perfume bottles are my favourite I have them on my phone and the infinity mirror room they have now is amazing
That was awesome, my man! I really miss the 80s Toronto. It was so much better and exciting!
It’s painful watching this! The memories are overwhelming! Everything was cheap and fun! Garbage now!
Used to be so proud of this city
Best era for Toronto ! Clean safe interesting fun miss those days so glad I never made the decision to move into the city look what it turned into 😢
Crime was actually worse in the 80s. Just think about the dozens of strip clubs along Yonge that no longer exist.
@@OldTorontoSeriesFact check - Stats Can says homicides doubled in the 2020’s vs. 1980’s.
I spent my twenties in this Toronto, good times! Thanks for posting!
dad says if he could die and relive this era of Toronto over a thousand times he would in a heart beat
Toronto was the best in the 70s and 80s
All those free concerts at ontario place ampitheatre of all great bands were the best so many
Great video😀
I hate 2024. I want to go back to the summer of 1987 and just stay there
Drop me off in summer 88' on your way going back!
(puts on rose coloured glasses) At the time, Toronto had what was regarded the best transit system in North America, Eaton Center had the largest cinema in the world (?), the city had the Worlds Biggest Bookstore, Ontario Place was fully functional, the Scarborough LRT was shiny and new, the Gardner and Don Valley still seemed like good ideas, the Hoser Parade with Bob and Doug MacKenzie happened, Much Music was getting kick started in the CHUM-City building, the city wasn't amalgamated yet.
Thank You for keeping the memory of my city alive.
Thanks for watching!
Yep....great way to put it...for a guy now residing in Calgary for the past 20 years
I was there in 80’s ❤ bunch of us young kids made a long trip from Winnipeg to Toronto , no seatbelts 😂🤣😂
Biway tshirt!! Man i miss toronto before the wall of condos
Kinda sketchy? Um, maybe a little bit (much more so in the 70s) I'd bet most people older than 55 would prefer to have it back over what Yonge is today. I personally preferred it in the 80s and I know I'm not alone in that feeling. It's soulless now. Really miss Mr. Greenjeans and JJ Muggs in the Eaton Centre and The Hard Rock Cafe across the street. And the planetarium, which Mike Harris closed when it was still profitable. 💔♥️
Everyone looks sane, healthy and happy.
I can assure you that was not the case.
Toronto was a much better and a safer city back in the days.
Crime was actually higher for most of the 80s compared to now. Yonge st also was made of dozens and dozens of strip clubs and peep shows.
@@OldTorontoSeriesWrong. Strip clubs were ugly but legal.
@@OldTorontoSeries Thats not true. I was around in the 80’s. Me and my older cousins were always hanging around DT and in arcades. So crime was very minimal and it was more safe. The crimes today are extremely high.
Welcome back Old Toronto Series! We have missed you!!
Back when sundays were family day and nothing was open no malls,movie theatres nothing. These were the best times!!!!
This is likely impossible to find but ever found any photos or video of the zen garden water fountain at sherway gardens? Its something I remember and thus far there's no media of it out there (I recall seeing a youtube video a long time ago but no trace of that is left)
I moved to Toronto in 1980 lived there till 1994 I still go back, but this is the city I remember!
What a blast from the past.. thanks for posting bro.
Glad you enjoyed it
I totally remember this, now if you downtown it’s almost totally unrecognizable
Yonge street was pure sleaze back then. Head Shops n Hustlers.
5th gen Torontonian, still here. Born in 1982. THIS was my childhood. The Eaton Centre (meeting at the fountain if we got lost), Lime Ricky’s, Lick’s and Toby’s burgers, walking down Yonge with my mum and sister and my mum holding our hands tightly in the sketchy bits, the Spaghetti Factory for birthday parties , St. Lawrence market and the smell of fish that stuck to your clothes , going to the Ex in the summer and watching my sister scream on the polar express. I was too afraid to go on rides. Huge lineups for Tiny Tom’s doughnuts (that hasn’t changed). This just made me so nostalgic and really sad in a weird way.
Thanks for posting. 🥲❤
I really do miss the old union station I hate the new one it sucks
First time I visited Toronto was as a kid in 1989, one of my fondest childhood memories, coming from a city where the tallest building was 20 stories to seeing 70+ story buildings and what was then the tallest freestanding structure on Earth!
Toronto was great back 1980s. Where was your favorite place to get a hamburger?
I remember the summer of '83 when the jays played a doubleheader against the Yankees in August.
Winfield threw a baseball into the grandstand and I caught it.
I still have that ball.
Thanks. Lots of memories.
You bet!
You’ve brought back some very fond memories!
Thats the goal!
Not a shot of a honest to goodness 2024 Encampment back then…
toronto didnt have protests back then?
I moved to Toronto from Europe when I was 21 in 1979 and lived there until 1996. Toronto was truly special, it was exciting and full of life, but it was also one of North America's safest large cities. I wish that I could turn back the clock, even for a minute, I lived the best years of my life there. Thanks a million for the memories.
Come back any time!
Toronto is still one of the safest cities in North America.
The murder rate was actually higher in the 1980s in Toronto.
I visited Toronto Back then and we stayed at the Neil Wycik Summer Hotel on Gerrard Street. And Yes Yonge Street was a bit sketchy back then. Kind of like but not as bad as 42nd Street in New York was back then.
Bring HHOF back to CNE! @11:33
Thank you, great video. The people look happier and healthier. Even in 90-s we had childhood like that, but not any more.
Nope evil
Look how skinny we all were!!
Lived this and loved this look back. Thank you. 🤩
Love it, the Toronto everyone loves
I really enjoyed going to Toronto in the early 80's. I'd go with my buddies for a weekend and, most of the time, we spent on Younge street, just walking and shopping. Endless hours in Sam the Record Man, A & A Records, Records on Wheels, and, several shops selling used and import records. Most of my music collection was picked up on Younge street. I also remember how safe I felt walking at night in downtown Toronto.
Also, the rock bar life was amazing. The Gas Works was my favorite bar. I recall so many Canadian bands that were later successful. Best time of my early 20's, no question about it. Miss those days,
Wow. Great videos recognize many places. Eaton centre. My childhood was spent there movies. Later on QueenSt and yorkville hazelton lanes. Somanygreat memories sad Toronto isn’t as great as back then in my opinion. I know I
Not alone in this
Brought back a lot of memories ! Thank you :-)
Glad you enjoyed it
Thank you Morgan! This hurt my heart in more ways than one: not only for nostalgia but also the footage credited to the late great Dana Lee: th-cam.com/video/ZReZPYuiaUs/w-d-xo.html
I go to the art gallery all the time the antique minature perfume bottles are my favourite I have them on my phone and the infinity mirror room they have now is amazing
I have very few friends to tell about this amazing video..
This is a great video
Awesome!! Where'd you get that By-way shirt? I want one.
The Eaton Centre was never, ever, cool. It was an urban effing mall fer crise-sakes.
Not a bike in sight. Beautiful.
Love this!
Great video! Cheers from Vancouver ...
does it matter what it WAS ?
yes?
Miss Toronto when it was plain and simple. Cabins and log houses everywhere. No electricity or running water. Those were the good ole days!
The 1980’s were the best decade since the 1920’s.
God the music in the 80s really sucked. Too much Cocaine.
Skydome was a 90’s build.
Skydome started construction in 86 and opened in 89
Skydome was a 90’s build.
It was an 80s build. Opened in 1989.
Same now as it was back then......a dump! I lived at Jane and finch when towers dept store was still around! A dump! Crime was horrible!
🥱