Learn a little of Toronto's history as told through its plaques.

The Bay Queen Street Store

Photos by Alan L Brown - May 2010

This building at Queen and Yonge Streets has an Ontario Heritage Trust plaque attached to the wall near one of the entrances that says:

Department stores revolutionized shopping in the late nineteenth century by offering selection, low prices and money-back guarantees. In 1895, Robert Simpson commissioned architect Edmund Burke to design his new department store at the southwest corner of Yonge and Queen Streets. It was the first building in Canada with a load-bearing metal frame and a façade clearly patterned on this internal structure. By 1969, Simpson's department store had been enlarged six times and occupied two city blocks between Yonge, Queen, Bay and Richmond Streets. Canada's oldest corporation and largest department store retailer, Hudson's Bay Company, acquired the building in 1978. A Bay store since 1991, it remains one of Canada's great shopping landmarks.

Related web pages
Robert Simpson
Simpson's
Hudson's Bay Company

Plaque Location Co-ordinates: N 43 39.154 W 79 22.770

More commercial buildings

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Posted September 13, 2009
As I recall, the tunnel linked Eaton's main store to the annex and there you would get ice cream waffles and soft ice cream. I remember the train diplays at both Simpsons and Eatons at Christmas. Of course there were the window displays as well. Those were the late 1940's and early '50's for me. Oddly enough I don't remember the hot dog stand in the tunnel.

Posted April 2, 2009
My Dad always took my sisters and me to Simpson's for a hot dog and a honeydew when we were kids. Then we would walk through the tunnel to Eaton's for a chocolated malted soft ice cream cone. Ah, such lovely memories. I have never had a hot dog that tasted quite as good!
Bonnie Amson, Tampa, Florida

Posted February 15, 2009
Hi Susan; I loved that hot dog stand. For years I would meet my cousin and have the famous One and One. The hot dog with a glass of honey dew. I have been trying to find a picture of the hot dog stand on the internet with no luck. It was the best run business...I enjoyed watching the lady in the back boiling the hot dogs. Nothing seemed complicated...very few condiments and little waste. My daughter would like to set up a similar hot dog stand for a summer job. I don't know where to find the honey dew...if you know a source, I would appreciate any info that you may have. Many thanks, Sue

Posted December 16, 2008
I don't remember the Hot Dog Stand but I worked at Henry Morgan Company (owned by the Hudson's Bay) 1964 to early 1965. Does anyone remember this store? It was a ladies department store, two stories only and catered to the well to do! It was at the corner or close to the corner of Bay and Bloor.
Patricia, Milton Ontario.

Posted October 11, 2008
Hi. I am the grandaughter of Edward Rudd. He was the owner of the Hot Dog Stand in the basement of simpson for many year. I also worked there in the 70's. Do you remember the store?
Susan Gallant Rudd

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