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A McDonald’s restaurant in the city of Toronto is about as ubiquitous as pavement in the city.
Under the category of ‘here we grow again,’ the burger chain is set to open three additional locations that will be well-known to longtime residents and historians of the city’s architectural past.
McDonald’s is opening a new location across the street from the Toronto Reference Library at 826 Yonge St. There are two signs posted in the windows at the location saying, “Coming Soon.”
The restaurant will be situated inside the William Hewett Building. It is part of the 8 Cumberland St. condo space with its 51-storey building and 299 units in the exclusive Yorkville enclave. The building itself dates to 1867 and was originally owned by William Hewett, a dry goods merchant in Yorkville.
The building has cultural heritage value for its design as an important and early example in Yorkville of a commercial building designed in the popular Second Empire style.
The Real Jerk
Another franchise is soon to open at 709 Queen St. E.
More than a decade ago, that location was the home of ‘The Real Jerk,’ Caribbean restaurant. The restaurant was founded by Edward and Lily Pottinger in 1984. The Real Jerk spent 30 years at the Queen St. and Broadview Ave. location before development forced them out of the area in late 2012.
The restaurant will be big enough to house in excess of 30 people.
The city’s description of the site says: “proposal for interior alterations/fit-up for new McDonalds Restaurant.”
Former Alehouse
The former Indie Alehouse at 2876 Dundas W. is another well-worn spot for residents of the Junction that will soon have another McDonalds.
The ale house opened in October 2012 and closed its doors for the final time 13 years later.
A city permit was issued on Aug. 28 to “erect and display two illuminated wall signs and one illuminated projecting sign. *** MCDONALDS***”
The building opened in 1918. Reitman’s was the first tenant of the building. The building was rebuilt in 1958 after a fire started in the back of the building.
According to Google Maps, Metro Toronto has 70 McDonald’s restaurants in the city proper. The company did not respond to a Toronto Sun request regarding the actual number of outlets.
ganderson@postmedia.com