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The building of the Bloor Street Viaduct ushered in an era of commerical development along Danforth Avenue and other main streets.l
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Barnett Grocery Store interiorDecember, 1917
Danforth Avenue, Toronto
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Residents relied upon small grocery stores for products they did not grow. Local stores made it possible for residents to run a tab when finances were stretched; the bill would be paid when money became available.The interior of J. Barnett's store on Danforth Avenue is shown stocked for Christmas celebrations during World War I.
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Dairy farm located at Cosburn and Danforth1910
Todmorden, Ontario
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In the early part of the century, milk and bread were delivered to residents by horse-drawn wagons. The deliveries began at about 3 a.m.; many residents recalled the sounds of the horses' hooves echoing along the streets. Empty bottles were left on verandahs along with tickets indicating how much milk was required at each home.6
Ice company at 230 Browning Avenue1970
East York, Ontario
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Before refrigerators and freezers became available and affordable, residents relied upon ice deliveries from local ice companies.A number of residents recalled the delivery of 20 and 50 pound chunks of ice to their homes.
Young children would sometimes sneak onto the delivery truck and break off splinters of ice, enjoying the frozen treats.
8
In 1929, Sam Badali, a young immigrant from Italy, opened a fruit market at the corner of Danforth and Carlaw Avenues. His Sunkist Fruit Market was too small to hold all of the produce and some of the displays spilled onto the sidewalk.Sunkist Fruit Market was one of the first stores in Toronto to be open 24 hours - it saved time in moving the produce in and out of the store!
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