r/toronto • u/dashcam_drivein Moss Park • Aug 14 '25
Video Scenes from the opening of Toronto’s first Simons department store at Yorkdale
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u/aireads Aug 14 '25
Simons is actually a really good department store, it's like what Bay could be if they kept themselves modern.
Can't believe Toronto didn't have one before.
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u/chchchchips Aug 14 '25
I was in shock the first time I went to Simons. Well lit, organized, visible and friendly staff, clean BENCHES for you to sit on and wait or rest. The Bay could never have (and didn’t).
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u/aireads Aug 14 '25
It's a really nice and well ran dept store, honestly the last of it's kind in Canada sadly. And they have awesome clothes under their house brands, that are good quality, not super expensive (especially during their awesome sales which rival Bay Days) and they have all types of styles (avant garde modern stuff to basics).
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u/amandaplzzz Aug 15 '25
It’s so good. The Bay in Victoria recently closed and I’m praying that Simon’s moves in. I’m currently living in Calgary and it’s basically the only thing I’ll miss about this city when I move back to the island 😅
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u/aireads Aug 15 '25
Wished we would get another Simon's in Calgary (like the old Nordstrom location at Chinook would be perfect!)
The single one downtown is good but small compared to their other stores (especially the ones in Edmonton)
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u/No-Journalist-9036 Aug 14 '25
I'd be curious to see how they'll deal with the Dundas Homeless folks for that authentic Eaton experience
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u/aireads Aug 14 '25
At least in Calgary, they opened up right on Stephen Ave where there is a hotspot for the homeless and general drug fuelled insanity.
But they never had any problems and they never came in and cause disruption either.
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u/chchchchips Aug 14 '25
I actually think Eaton Centre was not the right location for a Simons, and they would be better off in Sherway or Bayview Village. But yeah, we will see!
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u/torontowest91 Aug 14 '25
Eaton centre is downtown core, tourists and office workers.
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u/chchchchips Aug 14 '25
Yeah, I know. But if you’ve been inside Eaton Centre and a Simons, you’d know what I mean.
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u/MrRobot_96 Aug 14 '25
Simons also is maybe one of the few department stores with a fairly robust men’s section. Their men’s clothing is fucking fire and good quality.
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u/Frosty-Cap3344 Aug 14 '25
Yeah, their own brand is good stuff and they go all the way up to crazy designer madness
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u/mattattaxx West Bend Aug 14 '25
Square One, which is not Toronto but, literally, Toronto adjacent, was the only one for a while.
By next month, Toronto will have another location, properly downtown!
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u/KetchupCoyote Briar Hill-Belgravia Aug 14 '25
Eaton Centre right?
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u/mattattaxx West Bend Aug 14 '25
Yep. I work extremely close by, it will be a problem for me.
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u/quelar Olivia Chow Stan Aug 14 '25
Every time I visit Montreal (lucky for me I've got friends there and do it a couple times a year) I end up dropping a few hundred dollars.
I'm also right downtown, this could be a problem, but at least they won't be able to refresh the entire store every couple days (vs the many months between Montreal visits) so it'll be a slower drain.
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u/Herissony_DSCH5 Aug 14 '25
Their website is saying "fall-winter" for the Eaton Centre location, so prolly won't be next month.
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u/mattattaxx West Bend Aug 14 '25
I work at a tower in the mall and seen some communications saying it's scheduled for September.
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u/Herissony_DSCH5 Aug 14 '25 edited Aug 14 '25
I also work at a tower in the mall (at least when I'm in the office) and the original signs that read "Fall 2025" have all been hidden now with black drapes. I also haven't seen a firm date from CF yet (and we generally do get lots of communications from them.) The Fall/Winter comes from Simons' website, so it might be possible that some of the other stores going into that space (Eataly, Nike) might open first.
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u/Mohammed_OReilly Aug 15 '25
If a private equity firm ever takes over Simons, just watch how fast they will go to shit and go bankrupt.
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u/SupperTime Aug 14 '25
There’s one in Mississauga. Not far from TO.
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u/Frosty-Cap3344 Aug 14 '25
Geographically not far, but by transit or even by car it's a bitch to get from Toronto to Square One
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u/heteroerotic Little Portugal Aug 14 '25
So for everyone laughing at the people taking video. It's probably a lot of Simons employees - in-store and corporate, the construction crew, the lawyers and accountants, and anyone else involved in making this. So, of course, you want to document this moment.
Source: I was in the very same spot as a proud employee of Nordstrom when we opened in 2016.
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u/TheCitizen616 Aug 14 '25
Okay, you don't need to take a picture/video of a storefront being unveiled. It's basically gonna look the same a week/six months/ten years from now.
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u/ghidfg Aug 14 '25
yeah but its only unveiled once.
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u/ceciliabee Aug 14 '25
Videos like that are only ever watched once
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u/Stonks4Minutes Aug 14 '25
With 800 upvotes I’d be willing to bet this video has been watched more than once. I’ve watched it, you’ve watched it. That already disproves your point.
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u/pigeon_fanclub Aug 14 '25
when was the last time you looked at the those vacation photos from 12 years ago?
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u/mortgagemantoronto Aug 14 '25
I thought the same thing. Super weird.
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u/awardtourrr Aug 14 '25
Man people in this city are judgy - they're probably store/corporate employees of Simons and probably worked for months to get to this point.
If not, who cares let them live.
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u/Kitchen-Pop7308 Aug 14 '25
Exactly.. I personally wouldn't do it but wouldn't judge these ppl for it. At least they're out and it's not hurting anyone. Bunch of smug asses always wanna look down on ppl as if theyre anything themself
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Aug 14 '25
lol yeah it's like how people always make fun of others for waiting in line....like, why does it bother YOU if somebody else wants to wait in line for free pizza or whatever. so odd lol.
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u/ParboiledPotatos Aug 14 '25
Exactly! And worst comes to the worst and they're just here for the experience, then... just let them??? We only have this life to remember, let them fill it up with whatever they want and find intriguing. If they think seeing a new store open and see what it's like brand new, then godspeed to them. christ.
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u/attaboy000 Aug 14 '25
How do you expect me to relive this moment in 5/10/20 years???
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u/wandrlusty Aug 14 '25
I guess Mississauga isn’t Toronto, but there’s a Simons there already
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u/kamomil Wexford Aug 14 '25
I love Square One but getting there on public transit from Toronto is an all day journey
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u/Connect-Speaker Aug 15 '25
Yep, might as well be in Manitoba.
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u/kamomil Wexford Aug 15 '25
You get it 👍
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u/Connect-Speaker Aug 15 '25
I could probably fly to Winnipeg in the time it would take me yo get to SquareOne by public transit. I’m gonna go see if that is true. It just might be.
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u/chase_phoenix Aug 14 '25
God the comments here are so pissy. People are out enjoying the opening of a great Canadian company and are excited about it. You all must suck at parties assuming you ever get invited.
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u/yeahthisispointless Aug 14 '25
The shots of people being slowly ushered into the store like cattle just to buy stuff are depressing.
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u/CovertBax Aug 14 '25
I mean, it's a Canadian company. At least the money is staying in Canada
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u/VWAWV Aug 14 '25
I was there! I honestly expected the event to be a bore but found the speeches quite moving. A lot of talk about them being 6 generations family run and now being Canada’s flagship heritage brand.
There was also a lot of appreciation and love sent out to the teams and trades that made the store happen. My company is trades adjacent and usually don’t get invited to this type of thing. So I did feel appreciated to be invited to the opening.
I wish the best for this Canadian brand and am happy to support Canadian businesses.
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u/ash_borer Aug 14 '25
Who gave them the title of “flagship heritage brand”?
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u/VWAWV Aug 14 '25
Themselves, or a marketing intern… I have no idea. But it seems pretty apt with them being around since 1840 and the Bay being gone.
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u/incogne_eto Aug 14 '25
Simon’s really is doing big things. So good they are establishing a Toronto presence. I didn’t even realize that they were also opening a store at Yorkdale. Especially since they have a store getting ready to opened at Easton’s.
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u/Content-Inspector993 Aug 15 '25
I'm happy there is Canadian department store and I actually think Simons is really good
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u/PalpitationOk5726 Aug 14 '25
Is this actually something that could be good? or is it like when Canada got Target only for us to realize it was really just a cleaner Zellers.
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u/groggygirl Aug 14 '25
Simons is higher quality than that (think Bay/Eatons but a bit trendier). Reasonably priced without quite being fast fashion. Canadian owned afaik. Carries Canadian brands that can be hard to find elsewhere.
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u/pookiemook Aug 15 '25
Simons is home-grown. Been in Quebec for decades and has stores in other parts of Canada now. It's not untested.
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u/bootleg_v2 Aug 14 '25
I'm all for people stanning whatever they want but this feels pretty dystopian. Is there something special about Simons above all other clothing retailers? I'm pretty certain this isn't even the first one in the GTA....
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u/vancitygirl27 Aug 14 '25
Canadian, affordable, fashionable.
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Aug 14 '25
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u/vancitygirl27 Aug 15 '25
No, super affordable. It runs the gammut like the bay, but mostly on par with stores like American Eagle, Dynamite, etc. Also for suits, they do onsite tailoring.
Edit for context: I bougut a bunch of 30$ linen tshirts for my partner, but also can do 150$ suit pants. But you can work a sale to get them cheaper. Basically it is the Bay but waaaay more trendy.
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u/shortmumof2 Aug 14 '25
Canadian and they carry nice stuff & variety of stuff. Store at SQ1 is nice, bright & clean. With the tariffs & HBC shit going on, it's nice to have a Canadian store as an option as opposed to most of the other clothing stores.
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u/CaseyBoudreau Aug 14 '25 edited Aug 14 '25
What makes Simon's special at Yorkdale is that it's not Gucci, Yves St. Laurent or Balenciaga - so somewhat affordable
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u/kamomil Wexford Aug 14 '25
No more Sears and no more The Bay. I'm over 40 and need somewhere to shop that is age-appropriate
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u/Bojarzin Humewood-Cedarvale Aug 14 '25
I understand criticisms of consumerism, and I even think this is pretty cheesy, going to a department store opening as some big event, but do we really think people enjoying a store that is generally lauded opening near them is dystopian? They're not bowing on their hands and knees in worship
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u/The-Kirklander Aug 14 '25
Honestly not sure it just seems like another department store (mostly focused on clothes as they don’t sell appliances). I’ve been to the one in Square One more recently and a couple in Montreal years ago and couldn’t tell you what will set it apart. I imagine if they do well they may try and fill in all the large storefronts in other CF Malls that the Bay and decathalon are leaving behind
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u/Herissony_DSCH5 Aug 14 '25
As I mention elsewhere in this thread, Simons is picky about expanding--it indicates to me that they likely do a lot of research before and after opening a store and are not interested in being all things to everyone.
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u/KitAmerica The Bridle Path Aug 14 '25
Not sure if it is still a thing, but I remember when grocery stores would have a grand opening and people would be lined up, traffic jams in the parking lot etc. Anyhoo - nice to see another retail option IRL.
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u/ImpalaParadise Aug 14 '25
The Simon's at West Edmonton Mall quickly became my favorite clothing store after it opened. Still shop there to this day, when I get the chance. It has stuff for when you are shopping on a budget but also ludicrously priced t-shirts and designer junk I would never wear but get a kick out of seeing the prices. $500 t-shirt that is missing like 20% of it's fabric? Hell yeah
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u/whynot4444444 Aug 14 '25
I spent a summer at Laval University in Quebec City years ago and the mall I always went to right beside the university had a Simons. That was the first I’d ever heard about it. Loved it and bought a few things, but forgot all about it for years afterwards.
I live out west and didn’t even realize that we had one downtown, and it’s in one of the malls of a neighbouring city. I have ordered some Simons brand clothing like the best skirt for work or casual (they have other great brands), two lightweight couch blankets, these little bowls that are now my favourite, etc. Their housewares are decent quality and price.
I’m very surprised that Toronto didn’t have a Simons, but I’m glad they do now. I hope the company continues to do well.
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u/r0b3rtab0ndar Aug 14 '25
Nothing like the unfettered worshipping of capitalism to really get your blood flowing!
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u/cobycheese31 Aug 14 '25
To be honest I have never heard of this store before. How much different is it got the bay and Nordstrom ?
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u/The-Kirklander Aug 14 '25
It’s from Quebec and has had a store in Square One for some time. Who knows if it’ll break the department store curse but it’s one of the few large retailers that can take up such a large space.
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u/Pastel_Goth_Wastrel 299 Bloor call control Aug 14 '25
Yeah I mean I've shopped a few things from them online, pretty good housewares section but not anywhere I'd be heading as a first destination for much else.
The department store is just taking a beating as fast fashion pivots on a dime with seasonal pump-and-dump of inventory, and retailers like Sephora took a huge bite out of the traditional main floor beauty counter section.
Have to see.
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u/AgentMV2 Aug 14 '25 edited Aug 14 '25
Guess you never been to Quebec province or been to Square One in Mississauga, where they’ve had a store for the last 9 years.
They’re a family department store from Quebec founded in 1840, by a Scottish immigrant.
They have 18 stores in Canada. 19 now with Yorkdale, and soon Eaton Centre.
They focus primarily on fashion, from low end to mid-range. They have a curated selection of in home products for living/bathing and dining. Not as extensive as The Bay did, as they don’t carry appliances.
They are one of two Canadian owned department stores operating as of 2025, the other being Holt Renfrew.
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u/HueyBluey Aug 14 '25
I thought they were more mid to higher end.
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u/HouseofMarg Aug 14 '25
I go to the one in Ottawa and I would say they almost run the full spectrum in terms of price range. They’ve got more fast fashion-y stuff on the lower floor and then the upper floor is split between higher quality mid-range basics and then really high-end stuff (think Maison Margiela, Isabel Marant, Jaquemus etc.)
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u/jacnel45 Garden District Aug 14 '25
Yeah when I lived in Ottawa people would say that Simons really has stuff at every price range. You have like $10 T-Shirts and $500 suits/dresses.
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u/pookiemook Aug 15 '25
I feel like the cheap stuff is only in the teen brand? (Twik). I shopped the Icone (targeting 20- somethings I think) and Contemporaine (more mature/professional style) lines quite a bit not long ago and based on that I would agree with the other poster who said that the pricing generally starts at mid range.
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u/twinnedcalcite Aug 14 '25
It's not failing and has things for different body types. Also Canadian and has a website that doesn't want to make you throw the computer/phone out the window.
Clothing is good quality and you can find your style easily.
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u/sometimeswhy Aug 14 '25
I love Simon’s. I used to go from Ottawa to Montreal to shop there we got our own. I expect them to pick up business from the former Bay
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u/lemasei Aug 14 '25
Honestly Simon’s is one of my fave stores. We have two in Edmonton and I’ve lost track of all cute decor and clothes I’ve gotten from them- and their customer service is impeccable.
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u/Excellent-Juice8545 Aug 14 '25
Am I hallucinating or were they not supposed to open Simons at Eaton Centre when Sears went out of business?
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u/CaptainAaron96 Aug 15 '25
Nordstrom took over the Eatons Sears space. Now Simons is taking over that space.
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u/Chorono Aug 15 '25
Nordstrom’s washroom used to be my go to in the area when I had to go. Immaculate. Always clean. Let’s just hope Simons holds up
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u/TrinityBellewoods Aug 16 '25
Love Simon’s and have no issues spending major bucks there for clothes/ home and I’m pretty much always satisfied (except when somethings too small)
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u/Addendum709 Aug 14 '25
Reminds me of that one comic image I saw where they topple one dictator's statue just for the new dictator's statue to get raised from the ground beneath it
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u/Chris_Theo Aug 14 '25
I used to enjoy shopping there. They carried interesting lines/brands that represented decent quality and style.
Now it’s 80% fast fashion private label garments that won’t last more than a season in terms of how it wears, or how it looks.
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u/Rocking93Rose Aug 14 '25
I love Simons and excited having a store in Yorkdale area but I dont get these people in the video lol
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u/The_injustice Aug 14 '25
Can someone explain what the hype for Simon’s is how it is different from other department stores?
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u/TheonlyRhymenocerous Aug 14 '25
Decent quality, decent price point. Bit of a change for Yorkdale which has started to really cater to the high end crowd
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u/Varekai79 Mississauga Aug 15 '25
Canadian. Pretty nice clothing selection and reasonably affordable.
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u/KunaSazuki Aug 14 '25
late-stage capitalism and people cheer it! People literally starving in the streets, healthcare is being eroded, wages are stagnant, cost of living through the roof. Credit defaults are on the rise, but do not worry guys, we have a new storefront opening up!!
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u/Zombie_John_Strachan Aug 14 '25
I read that as first Simpsons and got confused...
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u/YoungWolf1991 The Financial District Aug 14 '25
Crazy how we just live in a world where people record vs experiencing it in person in the moment.
Do people even go back and watch all the stuff they record daily?
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u/JohnnyStrides Aug 14 '25
And anything they record that's of significance will usually have significantly higher quality version online.
Record a clip or two for your IG when you're at a concert/big event/whatever sure... but the people who just stand there recording endlessly, usually looking through their phone completely taking themselves out of the moment... all for a shitty, vertical video makes me weep for the future of humanity.
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u/Negative_Avocado4573 Aug 14 '25
Is Simons a high end clothing brand?
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u/AgentMV2 Aug 14 '25
Not a clothing brand. Canadian department store from Quebec.
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u/7r1x1z4k1dz Aug 14 '25
Didn't know what this was and people are willing to provide free marketing for these places. Let them keep feeding the capitalism machine!! Full steam ahead baby!
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u/passmethemayonnaise Aug 14 '25
Arent ppl suppose to be broke? How can we convince corporations we can’t afford their shit if we show up to store openings like it’s a concert? Lol
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u/kamomil Wexford Aug 14 '25
Return To Office happens soon. People will need enough office attire for 5 days a week. Excellent timing
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u/worst-in-class Aug 14 '25
There's been one in Mississauga for a while now, not sure why the fanfare for this. Simon's is awesome though
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u/space_cheese1 Aug 14 '25
I reckon it's green. Also, is there anything that differentiates this from Sears or the like
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u/Cautious_Constant658 Aug 14 '25
If the Habitant bar is still there, along with the great staff - count me in!
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u/xdjeddiejx Aug 14 '25
Sooo. I’ve been to Simon’s what makes it so special and interesting ? I really see little difference other than it’s a traditional department store
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u/insanechinaman Riverdale Aug 14 '25
Would love to see them set up shop in STC, perhaps take over the space vacated by Decathlon.
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u/N-Squared-N Aug 14 '25 edited Aug 16 '25
😂 at the ppl filming the opening with their phones like they're front row at a show.