LCBO Food & Drink Spring 2020

87 Front St. E. (Front & Jarvis) On the corner of Market Street, this LCBO is housed in a red-brick building originally erected for grain traders Edward Leadley & Co. in 1858. In its heyday, because of its proximity to the harbour, the neighbourhood served as Toronto’s commercial hub; Market Street was home to a hotel and several office buildings, including a six-storey one considered a high-rise when it was built at the turn of the 20th century. Today, key architectural features of the restored Leadley building – such as exposed brick walls and mullioned windows – are integrated into the modern interior, which extends south into a neighbouring building. This 7,000-square-foot LCBO location carries over 3,200 brands and is just steps from St. Lawrence Market and a short walk from Union Station.

111 St. Clair Ave. W. (St. Clair & Avenue) Opened in 2015, this LCBO location occupies the ground floor of the former Imperial Oil headquarters, a landmark 1957 building whose design was originally a contender for Toronto’s new city hall. Back in the day, the top floor of the 21-storey structure was the highest point in Toronto and, on clear days, offered views of the spray from Niagara Falls across Lake Ontario. Built using welded-steel framing (vs. riveted, which would have subjected local residents to increased construction noise), Imperial Plaza, as it’s now known, was the largest all-welded steel-frame building in the world. Still boasting the lobby’s original marble walls and acclaimed artist R. York Wilson’s Story of Oil mural, this bright, 3,800-square-foot LCBO features over 1,000 brands, a dedicated Vintages section, a tasting bar and 50 underground parking spots.

49 Spadina Ave. (Spadina & Front) Our newest flagship store, this LCBO opened last July in a former warehouse built in 1913 for the Steele Briggs Seed Company. The handsome five-storey red-brick structure, also known as the Clarence Square Building, sat in an area dominated by railroads and had its own siding for efficient shipping; the train tracks are still visible on the building’s south side. Today, this almost-11,000- square-foot store carries almost 2,000 brands and features a large Vintages section, a tasting bar, and a same-day pickup counter for online orders. The original wooden support beams were integrated into the design, adding a heritage note to the contemporary interior.