rev:text
| - Ed's glory days are on its walls, not on the floors.
Last year, I worked with a girl who advertised Honest Ed's in almost every conversation. She told me about the $3 dresses, the $0.50 earring, and how she had never seen it all because it was so big.
I got paid less than $10/hr at the time, so the thought of spending $5 on an outfit, and still having money left over for earrings was ... well, enchanting.
So when, one cold Saturday afternoon, I strolled down the wrong side of Bloor st. and saw the big flashing lights of Honest Ed's sign, I knew I was destined to enter. Soy Chai Latte in hand, my pinkie pushed the pedestrian crossing button.
I pressed my boots onto the wet asphalt to get to the other side, guilty of spending so much on them just the day before. I honestly imagined Ed's would have the same shoes for about a tenth of the price.
After the door closed behind me, I had to push through what looked like the subway exit doors, you know those horizontal metal bars attached to a pole? those.
In front of me were a dozen tables covered in stuff. I call it stuff because I can't think of a single unifying category. There were plastic clocks, $0.40 candles, and plastic flowers in pastel colours.
There were other things too, like cheap vases.
I saw stairs and took them sure Id find the fashion mayhem I'd come for. Down, and it looked like a dollar store for groceries. I'm sure I'd take advantage of the prices if I lived close by. But I don't, and soda crackers were the last thing I wanted.
I opted for the set of stairs taking me to the second floor, which I didn't actually bother walking through. My foot was on the last step when I saw a sea of hats, pajama pants, mittens, and ugly sweaters all in different variations of vomit.
I was done.
Past the numerous cash registers, on the way out, were many framed photos, newspaper clippings and collages. Bold framed letters. Everything boasted of a store that just wasn't there. If this place that so claims to be characteristic of Toronto had a golden age, it's gone.
Everything is on the wall now. I know they will never replace those old collages and pictures. I know they'll never shut the lights off outside. If they did, there would be no Honest Ed's.
|