"6"^^ . "Ed's glory days are on its walls, not on the floors. \n\nLast 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.\n\n 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. \n\nSo 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. \n\nI 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.\n\nAfter 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.\n\nIn 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.\n\nThere were other things too, like cheap vases. \n\nI 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.\n\nI 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. \n\nI was done. \n\nPast 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.\n\nEverything 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."^^ . . . "2009-12-16T00:00:00"^^ . "8"^^ . "1"^^ . . "8"^^ .