It’s a Christmas mystery: Who bought the Hudson’s Bay holiday windows?
Wrong answers only
The Hudson’s Bay holiday windows are a Toronto Christmas tradition right up there with the inflatable Santas on Inglewood or the Santa-and-Scrooge Canadian Tire commercials. Since 1913, shoppers at Yonge and Queen have hit pause on the bustle to gaze upon various iconic displays: Santa’s workshop, robo Christmas, Narnia, Mariah Carey (who was reportedly paid $1 million to perform two songs at the 2016 window unveiling).
Related: Buyers spent $5.9 million at the Bay’s art auction
When the department store shuttered earlier this year, the loss of the seasonal tradition was expected and bemoaned. But hark the herald developers sing: Cadillac Fairview has stepped in with a plan to “honour a cherished Toronto tradition to ensure the historic intersection of Yonge and Queen remains a vibrant destination this holiday season.”
By “honour a cherished Toronto tradition,” the real estate corporation means leasing out the narrow yet valuable lot for a tidy profit. Cadillac Fairview says a “major brand” has already secured the seven windows along Yonge Street, but for now the identity of said brand remains under wrapping paper.
Related: These paintings being auctioned off by the Hudson’s Bay Company will incite bidding wars
Which could make for a fun guessing game at your next holiday mixer. The Toronto Star reports that Bath and Body Works and Craig’s Cookies are rumoured contenders, but we’re also hearing whispers about a Canadian candy manufacturer. Other entirely speculative but enticing possibilities include Drake’s OVO line, the Blue Jays and Labubu. Or maybe Justin Trudeau and Katy Perry have leased the space to stage the ultimate holiday make-out sesh.
The big reveal will happen on December 14, so let the betting pools begin. Meanwhile, the windows on Richmond Street are still up for grabs, and Cadillac Fairview is currently considering offers from anyone with spare cash and the dream of inserting themselves into Toronto retail history.
Courtney Shea is a freelance journalist in Toronto. She started her career as an intern at Toronto Life and continues to contribute frequently to the publication, including her 2022 National Magazine Award–winning feature, “The Death Cheaters,” her regular Q&As and her recent investigation into whether Taylor Swift hung out at a Toronto dive bar (she did not). Courtney was a producer and writer on the 2022 documentary The Talented Mr. Rosenberg, based on her 2014 Toronto Life magazine feature “The Yorkville Swindler.”
