10 amazing Honest Ed’s holiday gifts for the Torontonian in your life
After gracing the corner of Bloor and Bathurst for 68 years with its flashy signs and cheap prices, Honest Ed’s will close its doors on New Year’s Eve, 2016.
With the property set to be redeveloped into rental properties, parks and public markets, Torontonians are flocking to the store to grab one last picture.
Luckily, remembering the iconic discount europium won’t be hard, as local artisans have created items to commemorate the store. So, if you’re looking for a Toronto-themed present this Christmas, why not give one of these 10 gifts that will keep Honest Ed’s in our hearts forever.
Honest Ed’s Wooden Postcard
Etsy
Instead of mailing a Christmas card, this year you can send a wooden postcard from local Toronto brand resurfaced. Grab a ballpoint pen, write on the back, put a $1.80 stamp on it and send it anywhere in Canada. It’s great for those out-of-town Torontonians who can’t come home to say goodbye and probably the most interesting piece of mail anyone will ever receive.
Where to buy: Etsy, LEN – Democratic Purveyors of Fine Art & Beautiful Things, Uppdoo and Spacing Store.
Cost: $9.50
Honest Ed’s Ornament
Christmas ornaments can become traditional items on trees, as they are a gesture of the past. Camden Collective’s acrylic ornament of the department store is the perfect keepsake, especially for those who have relied on Ed’s for their holiday needs.
Where to buy: Spacing Store
Cost: $10
Honest Ed’s Patches, T-shirt
Buttonmachine.com
Torontonians love showing their city pride through fashion and The Button Machine takes that trend and puts an Honest Ed’s twist on it. The brands “Ed’s Toronto” line features items written in Honest Ed’s signature font including a t-shirt and a “Toronto” souvenir patch.
Where to buy: The Button Machine
Cost: Patch $6 | T-shirt $30
Honest Ed’s Magnet Pack
Main and Local says its thanks to Ed in this 6-pack of magnets. With sayings inspired by the store in its famous font, these magnets are the ideal stocking stuffers.
Where to buy: Main and Local, Juxtapose Cards & Gifts, Spacing Store
Cost: $9.99
Honest Ed’s/Annex Print
Etsy
Describing the store as a “bizarre castle of bargains at the heart of the community”, Tom Chitty’s print illustrates Honest Ed’s presence in the Annex. With warm colours and an angelic glow emitting from the department store, this print can complement any wall it’s hung on.
Where to buy: Etsy
Cost: $65
Honest Ed’s in Scott Pilgrim & The Infinite Sadness – Vol.3
In volume three of Bryan Lee O’Malley’s graphic novel, the author showcases Honest Ed’s famed exterior, hand-painted signs, products and creepy larger-than-life cuckoo clock as Scott and Todd fight their way through the store. In the end the store implodes, which oddly foreshadows its future demolition.
Where to buy: Indigo
Cost: $11.99
Honest Ed’s Print
robcroxford.com
Known for creating prints with a vintage aesthetic, Toronto-based artist Rob Croxford honours the Honest Ed’s building, its traditions, décor and neighbourhood in this collage.
Where to buy: Rob Croxford’s website
Cost: $35-$80
Honest Ed’s Signs
The iconic hand painted signs, which have graced the store windows and product bins for decades, are no doubt the ultimate gift. While the selection is dwindling, there are a few signs left which are wildly popular for having hilarious sayings and puns. The signs are even stamped for authenticity upon purchase, should anyone accuse you of having a forgery.
Where to buy: Honest Ed’s
Cost: From $7 and up
Honest Ed’s Coaster
Daily City Train
Coasters are a practical gift and local photographer Justin Roth creates a number of beautiful hand crafted coasters on 4×4 ceramic tiles featuring images he has captured. His coaster of Honest Ed’s, from the perspective of a pedestrian, will serve as a daily reminder of the store every time you pick up your cup.
Where to buy: Daily City Train
Cost: $10
Toronto for Everyone IOU
While many hate IOU gifts, this one is well worth it. The Centre for Social Innovation announced a massive multi-day event in February at Honest Ed’s with art, music and local retailers. While details are limited, this epic farewell is not to be missed by any Torontonian.
Where to buy: TBA
Cost: TBA
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