Toronto's Most Unique Mall For Sale? Walking The Woodbine Centre & Fantasy Fair Before It's Gone

[@rogertemple7193]

This was a nice walk through the Woodbine Centre looking around at the stores and i noticed it was a really busy place with a few empty spaces here and there but i hope it stays open have a great week and thanks for another interesting walk thank you Ken.☕👋🇨🇦

[@TheKenContinuum]

You're welcome, & thanks for watching!

[@LisaIannucci-e9n]

Hi Ken enjoyed watching ! ❤

[@TheKenContinuum]

Glad you enjoyed!

[@zachguest8565]

childhood memories is it really closing

[@aldoparise1224]

I have been visiting this mall since it opened. I was 7 when it opened. I visited Fantasy Fair many times when I was a child. It was a great mall back in the day. I would say it started to go downhill in the early 2000's. I am sad to see how it is now. It looks busy being a Saturday. During the week it is almost dead. Some scenes of Police Academy 4 were filmed inside the mall. You really see how popular the mall was back then. The two level furniture store used to be a Sears. Across from the movie theater was a Zellers (2 levels). There was also a McDonald's where the Tim Hortons is located (the main entrance of McDonald's was inside the amusement park)

[@TheKenContinuum]

haha I watched the scenes from Police Academy 4 on youtube. Thanks for sharing!

[@torontosdoowopmusicguy]

I think it is still cool. I remember going long ago and we thought it was fun and attractive. I wish the big wheel worked. Hopefully it will get fixed. The carousel is a gem. Thanks for the memories Ken.

[@TheKenContinuum]

Agreed. I liked it quite a bit.

[@paropersaud5370]

Hi Ken that mall lots of fun I take my kids to the fair also I shop their 20 years later my grandchildren go to the fantasy fair that the only one I know of bringing back lots of memories hope it keep on going thank you for taking us along. 🤎👍🇨🇦

[@TheKenContinuum]

You bet!

[@MichelleBruce-lo4oc]

Hi Ken, awesome live video walk. I enjoyed it. Have you ever heard that there used to be a mall back in the 1980s 1990s call Warden Woods Mall ?. I went to that mall in the 1980s to 1990s. It's no longer there anymore. Thanks for sharing have a good night see you next video ❤😊

[@TheKenContinuum]

Thanks! Yes, I remember that mall.

[@s.mickelson2523]

Here are a few answers to your questions. The cinema used to be a part of the Rainbow chain. The mall once had an original Zellers and a Sears Canada. As far as I know, the only other Rexdale mall is the Albion Mall at Rexdale and Islington. The kids loved the rides in the winter though I don't believe my grandchildren have ever visited. I hope any new owner will try to keep the mail going, retaining the Fantasy charm children still enjoy. Good job on documenting the mall.

[@TheKenContinuum]

Thanks for all the info & for watching!

[@frederickvillarete1755]

"All home furnishings" used to be a Sears. The mall didn't used to have the crazy floor tiles and weird wall paper. This was a great tour, thanks Ken.

[@TheKenContinuum]

Thanks for sharing, glad you enjoyed it!

[@Gurtejbauer24]

I used to go to woodbine mall so much before moving

[@rupinderdhillon9662]

Hi: Iused to take my children to woodbine centre and fantasy fair in 1990's. They had lot of fun. There used to be Eaton's center, zellers and the warehouse you are showing was Sears.It's not the same anywhere.Lot of big stores have moved away. Thanks for showing.

[@TheKenContinuum]

Thanks for watching & for all the info. Cheers!

[@gogglespizano1890]

Oh my...I asked you not long ago about going to north Etobicoke 🙂 I didn't expect all the way to Woodbine Mall 😁 Love the video

[@TheKenContinuum]

haha More to come.

[@TimWong49152]

I was in high school when Woodbine Centre opened. It was built by Cadillac Fairview so it was a high-end shopping mall like Sherway Gardens, Square One, and Eaton Centre when it opened. It's been a "ghetto mall" ever since Cadillac Fairview sold it almost 20 years ago. I remember coming to motorcycle rallies here in the early 2000's which a thriving mall would never allow. There was a knife store that I visited often to buy knives.

[@TheKenContinuum]

A lot has changed over the years. haha

[@batphink2655]

I could have swore I left a comment .I love this mall I was 22 when it opened going there many times in the late 80's and 90s then seem to have forgotten it. I started going again in 2016 until 2019 some great little shops(if you collect fragrance go to 'Enchante' on 2nd level) I went to the Funfair with an old gf. An enjoyable and informative video Ken! 👍👍

[@TheKenContinuum]

Thanks very much!

[@asvp_m3l]

I went here a couple of days ago after I finished up writing an exam at a plaza nearby the racetrack, as I just wanted to unwind. I remember how packed this mall used to be, and how much life there used to be. Stores were busy, there were actually places worth checking out. I still remember when Sears used to be there, and Hudson's Bay/The Bay was busy with customers. I even remember when Zellers was still around. The movie theatre was also a big staple in my childhood, as well as the Fantasy Fair. It's sad to see how much the mall has changed since about 2018, which was when I graduated high school. I always had a fun time with my family whenever we'd visit the mall, as we didn't live too far from it. I felt sad walking through the mall once again, just reminiscing on how much things have changed with my life as of now, alongside the mall being so different than what I once knew it as. You really don't appreciate what you have until it's gone. I'm very thankful for the many memories that I associate with this mall.

[@TheKenContinuum]

Thanks for watching & for sharing!

[@KarenCroucher]

Hello Ken! All Home Furnishings was SEARS! I love your videos! Thanks

[@TheKenContinuum]

Ok, thanks for the info! Cheers!

[@gabygaedecke2411]

Behind the Woodbine Centre is a forest, it is affiliated with Humber College, and parts of it are the Humber Arboretum. One evening about four years ago I was waiting for a bus back in to the city, and a man waiting with me said "it that real?" pointing across the street into the field. A deer was standing there, perfectly still, staring at us. Stunningly beautiful. The Humber Valley is special, hopefully all this development won't ruin it.

[@TheKenContinuum]

haha That's awesome. Thanks, Gaby.

[@cdizzle]

Thats actually a deer reserve believe it or not and if you got lucky and went for a walk at the right time of night you would see hundreds of them standing perfectly still in the varsity fields. You see deer all the time in there but seeing that many was truly surreal to see lol. I'm also 90 percent sure that used to be the sears at 9:49

[@mannykhan7752]

Home Furnishings was previously occupied by Sears and it was on both levels. Used to live here long time ago. My kids grew up riding the fantasy fair.

[@TheKenContinuum]

Thanks for sharing!

[@louellasnugglebunny]

I'm glad to see that the carousel is still running. It is a Looff frame with the classic starburst mirror shields that last operated at Redondo Beach, California. The original horses were auctioned off and sold to various collectors and the mechanism was repopulated with Bradley & Kaye fiberglass figures. Bradley & Kaye were eventually bought out by Chance amusements in Wichita, Kansas. There are a few Looff carousels left with their original figures including two in Rhode Island and at least two in San Francisco. I could speak for hours about all the carousels I've known and visited but you can find outr just about anything you need to know from the National Carousel Association. I've been to a number of their conventions over the years. Last time I was at Woodbine Centre was over 20 years ago. My husband and I went there about two or three months before we got married!

[@TheKenContinuum]

Thanks for all the information! Cheers!

[@TimAckley-t9k]

Thanks for the walk through.

[@TheKenContinuum]

Sure thing!

[@brentsarazin6597]

This was awesome and I think you secretly wished you were a child again for the Fantasy Fair Ken.😃

[@TheKenContinuum]

Thanks, & yeah, that thought crossed my mind.

[@azamyahmad]

Absolutely beautiful sharing and upload and thanks again Ken ! ..

[@TheKenContinuum]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@mmej726]

thanks for sharing. my kids r adults now n we used to come here for bday parties and just to play n have fun.

[@TheKenContinuum]

Sure thing!

[@torontowalker17]

Awesome Woodbine Centre video Ken

[@TheKenContinuum]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@sheismymom]

I don't want the Woodbine Centre to close it better not close I love the Woodbine Centre that used to be my go to 2007-2013

[@netdevtech3038]

Let me add something funny; This was the mall my friend took me to when I first came to Canada in 1988. It was so exciting and vibrant. But the whole family would say the name so fast that I would hear 'Wood buying mall' so I wondered why he would consider a "Wood buying Mall" so exciting to take a newcomer to?

[@TheKenContinuum]

haha Thanks for sharing.

[@Boxcarphilly]

I think it’s a great mall. We go there probably two or three times a year, and we live up in Alliston. There used to be an aquarium (fish store) there when I went there 30 years ago, bought some nice fish and a nice fish tank there. I don’t know what happened to that store, it was pretty good. It was in the same space where the fantasy fair is, you accessed it from that area.

[@TheKenContinuum]

Thanks for sharing & for watching!

[@ahappyhippy]

A section of a movie called 'The Freshman' starring Matthew Broderick and Marlon Brando was filmed there. It was on a Sunday when malls used to be closed. I was a lucky lady to be able to be there and watch.

[@TheKenContinuum]

Cool!

[@Caciy]

Really enjoyed 👍 ❤😊

[@TheKenContinuum]

Thanks!

[@Karen-nv1fs]

To bad the subway doesn't go to Woodbine Mall like the Eaton's Center and Yorkdale... Last time I visited Woodbine, lots of empty stores.... Plus would love the subway to Vaughan Mills

[@Billymays618]

The Finch West LRT almost goes there. Humber College station is only a three-four minute bus ride from the mall

[@MatthewCowan-re2ic]

@@Billymays618 it is still not open and the ontario line is not open

[@justindot4887]

​@@MatthewCowan-re2icya.. useless comment.. its the 927 express from Kipling.. its pretty quick as an express bus.. just a few stops from stn

[@michellegonçalves7860]

Hi Ken ❤☺️ ty for the video.. so cool.. wishing you a wonderful night🌙 ✨️ tc see you next time.. yoink 😀

[@TheKenContinuum]

My pleasure, Michelle!

[@michellegonçalves7860]

@TheKenContinuum 😘😘

[@Caciy]

Wow..ppl need to get out more and explore the malls I took pictures in the photo booths wY back in the days.

[@user-hu2yu3ez1e]

This is the most beautiful mall I've ever seen, specifically for the floor.

[@TheKenContinuum]

I like the look of it, too.

[@PillowEgg]

I grew up with this mall. It's sad the current state that it is in. I remember when there used to be Zellers and I would ride the Zeddy wheel when I was a kid and going to McDonalds there. There also used to be an Electronic Boutiques there before they converted it into EB Games and then they moved it, then converted it to Gamestop, then closed it down. They filmed a lot of movies there including Shazam, 8-Bit Christmas, and Silent Hill Revelation. Funny enough there was a scene in Silent Hill Revelation with Kit Harrington in the movie, and the Woodbine racetrack in the background. I watched that movie in Rainbow Ciemas there, and left the exact same doors where they filmed. Perhaps they can convert that location to be a film studio or something.

[@TheKenContinuum]

Thanks for all the info & for watching!

[@evelynjepson5955]

whats needed is more stores opening there, to help pay the taxes on the place... Cinnabon used to be just a kiosk on the second floor, they made it to a store level, that's imazing....my husband was born in Rexdale...we now live in Woodbridge....used to be at the store every weekend. There is a bus from vaughan that comes down to the mall and you can catch it at the back of the mall, The No. 7 vaughan bus.

[@plutoyaldnil4750]

If you think it's not dying......go when food court etc about to close.....like 6pm then all ya got is couple of stores and discount cinema

[@Reza-1223]

There's also an express bus from Kipling Subway that goes there.

[@TheKenContinuum]

Cool, thanks!

[@lynnedecision9867]

So sad. My kids used to love Woodbine Mall

[@rushita.s]

I'm surprised there is still a Payless shoes store. I though they all closed down. Having trouble finding a place that sells shoes for kids in a good price ever since they close down

[@canadaphil6068]

This was THE place to go in the 80's and 90's. After it opened we always chose to go here rather than Eaton Center. Woodbine was jammed packed back in the day...Full of mid to high end shopping, great dining and the Cinema. The Fair was jammed full of families with their kids then.. with every single ride constantly in motion with the Train continously doing its loop around the perimeter full of smiling faces. I still remember vividly that it was at that Woodbine Theatre where I first saw ALIENS in 1986. Woodbine Center's glory days are long, LONG gone... The way it is now is a reflection of the undeniable decline of our Country as a whole.

[@TheKenContinuum]

I would have liked to have have seen it back then.

[@mmmkk987]

I only go to this mall to return items. It used to be much better before but so many stores closed down

[@adamnarbeaux5898]

Was there last month. Very sad. Jumped in from the casino across the street

[@tgustafson85]

Was in there the first time this week. Bafflement around every corner. And my god, those floor tiles are atrocious. You can actually see where they ran out of one type of tile and started with the next types. Don’t even get me started on the fake shops filled with junk. I had a great time 😂

[@TheKenContinuum]

I kinda liked the weird floor tiles. haha

[@kelleyursu8610]

LOL, how many clock shops are there? I spotted Clock, Click Clock, and Clock R Us

[@TheKenContinuum]

haha That is pretty crazy.

[@zingaman]

scenes form the movie "The Freshman" with Mathew Brodrick and Marlon Brando were shot in that mall in 1989-90

[@TheKenContinuum]

Right on

[@martinvanoene7192]

If there is to be a spa it would compliment the casino and music venue. It has never been even whispered about weird

[@slavonijacro]

Last time I was there there was so much more brand stores now many empty

[@martinvanoene7192]

Woodbine Center is great and was there a long time ago

[@martinvanoene7192]

that should be where the spa should be close to the casino

[@The_Amazing_Dip]

A mall that is actually a ghost town is the "Downtown Chatham Centre" mall (now called One Hundred King) there's like 12 businesses left in a mall that once held 100 stores.

[@TheKenContinuum]

haha I used to go there when it was busy and new. I have family in Chatham.

[@The_Amazing_Dip]

@@TheKenContinuum oh Lol! Yeah, it's really on its deathbed now. It's in the process of being redeveoped now.

[@Stevenh641]

Ken this fantasy fair reminds of amusement arcade’s usually at seaside resorts, never liked them in the uk

[@kaylove2745]

Kipling subway is closer and cuts down on your time👍

[@TheKenContinuum]

Thanks!

[@slavonijacro]

Said to see that they planing to build condos in mall place

[@cathymartinmcgoey3855]

Found the answer found the answer JJ MUGGS WAS THE RESTAURANT 🎉

[@robertarmstrong968]

Oliver 😂Jewellry is at Woodbine Mall oh yeah the CASH 💸 MAN you passed it... oh yeah 😎

[@TheKenContinuum]

haha Yep

[@daljit.bhatia]

Good job ken

[@TheKenContinuum]

Thanks!

[@cathymartinmcgoey3855]

Great video I worked there when the mall first opened in the restaurant right beside Fantasy Fair .. we had horses from carousels in the restaurant and I cannot remember the name of the restaurant.. driving me crazy .. anyone remember

[@TheKenContinuum]

Thanks for watching!

[@LorenzoSanPedro-d9p]

The amalgamation of the boroughs into one city started the decline of the suburban areas, including Etobicoke because of the downtown-centered group of councillors. Scarborough, Etobicoke and North York had development plans that were abandoned by the new council.

[@brentsarazin6597]

Just to mention I know you saw my Tip on PayPal and am glad you did receive it but it asks for a mobile telephone number and I 'don't' have a smartphone so....not sure if this method will work in the future Ken.

[@TheKenContinuum]

No worries, Brent -- I appreciate the effort. Thanks again!

[@Motwera]

What's so hard about bringing the concept of Fantasy Fair to other malls? I swear that North America always lacks when it comes to malls, everyone else has already done this to death.

[@plutoyaldnil4750]

Ohhhh lol speaking of the carousel about 40 yrs ago on of the overhead arms actually snapped and I had to leave my kids with a freind while I jumped the gates to grab the girl off the horse before it came crashing to the ground......and yes I check every once in a while and you can still see the arm just held back together with a bolt together bracket.......some 40 years later😪😪😪😪😪

[@TheKenContinuum]

It's good that it's still working.

[@iainsanders4775]

Soundtrack of a madhouse.

[@TheKenContinuum]

haha

[@cindyhefferman2605]

April / 24 ..Ferris wheel broke down and people had to be rescued …guess they didn’t bother to fix it

[@TheKenContinuum]

Hopefully they fix it.

[@hartplanet356]

The city is looking for land to build condos/apartments on. This site will be picked up quickly.

[@martinvanoene7192]

of course that will not happen and I mean the Ontario Place proposal will happen sadly I guess?

[@slavonijacro]

It was much more busy 10 years ago especially on Saturday

[@TheKenContinuum]

No doubt

[@markspencer4246]

It's been for sale for ever. Been dying just as long.

[@darinschaefer7296]

Hi how's you man

[@TheKenContinuum]

I'm good!

[@kathyguinto4585]

destiny usa has a carousel it use to be called the carousel mall

[@evelynjepson5955]

no it was Hudsons Bay and Sears only...the Eatons was at Rexdale Blvd and Islington...gone and is a Walmart now.

[@TheKenContinuum]

Thanks for the info!

[@estebanandradez4487]

The original anchors were The Bay (which is still there) and Eaton's (which transformed to Sears) The Zellers was added later in the 90's when they restructure that part of the mall as there was originally a Toy City superstore in that end of the mall.

[@estebanandradez4487]

FYI, Sears Outlet Centre was at Rexdale and Islington as was there corporate distribution warehouse for the GTHA.

[@cindyhefferman2605]

People choosing to online shop killed all the retail stores

[@TheKenContinuum]

That definitely isn't helping. haha

[@vintag56h77]

Канада разорена политикой действующего правительства😔

[@DejanOfRadic]

Why not simply "The Kentinuum"?

[@TheKenContinuum]

Good question. haha

[@darinschaefer7296]

Hi where are you taking us now

[@TheKenContinuum]

Back to the good old days.

[@darinschaefer7296]

Hi

[@TheKenContinuum]

Hey there.

[@evelynjepson5955]

Sears,

[@MINI-ME666]

this mall now is in a middle of nowhere

[@TheKenContinuum]

Felt like it.

[@kathyguinto4585]

it still is it has lovely fake trees

[@mariostelzner4530]

IF ONLY I HAD AN AMERICAN DOLLAR! AHAHAHA AHAHAHA LOL

[@kathyguinto4585]

cinnabon looks beat up the shade looked like it got ripped it needs a new window shade

[@adas9848]

It’s so sad.

[@TheKenContinuum]

I thought it looked pretty good.

[@Christina24life]

West Edmonton mall is a lot better and bigger, at least there’s roller coasters.

[@TheKenContinuum]

I have a video from West Edmonton Mall.

[@plutoyaldnil4750]

UMMMMM HAVE YA BEEN THERE......LATELY LOL😂😂😂😂😂😂😂

[@Christina24life]

@@plutoyaldnil4750 west Edmonton mall? I guess it’s been about a year or so

[@mxr572]

puleese! something is either unique or not unique (only one of a kind) but never never 'most unique.

[@anonymousuomynona123]

a bollywood theater? we dont need that in Canada. wtf

[@Stevenh641]

Ken this mall looks very dead should be closed immediately p s you have too many malls in Toronto doesn’t make sense. In the uk we don’t that many usually one per city

[@TheKenContinuum]

You think?

[@sandracharles1390]

This is a very populated area so it needs the mall. If they can do a survey in the area to find out what stores the people would like seeing in the mall maybe it can work to stay open.

[@torccchaser6712]

Not a great mall......never was

[@TheKenContinuum]

I hear it was awesome back in the 90s.

[@clearlynotwoke4929]

Simpsons was one of the original anchors and then when they went bankrupt it turned into Sears.

[@TheKenContinuum]

Thanks!

[@DavidHalverson]

Property is going to be redeveloped as a Gambling & Horse Racing Entertainment Village Resort in Northern Toronto.

[@KingTrump2024]

Dead mall turning into a little India bazaar

[@TimAckley-t9k]

Ken, please explain how Torontonians buy groceries for a family. I don't see any way to bring a cart of food from a supermarket to a vehicle on the street. Do you only get a couple of bags at a time and have to visit several times a day every day of the week?

[@TheKenContinuum]

Most major supermarkets have parking on site, sometimes underground in the core areas of the city. Many downtown residents just walk and get what they need for the next few days.

[@mushroomlover7739]

Should see Costco stores ,always crowded that how we Torontonian shop for food