Yorkville’s beloved Cookbook Store is closing after 31 years in business
Toronto food enthusiasts are losing one of their best hangouts. After a 31-year run at 850 Yonge Street, The Cookbook Store is closing. Last fall, we reported that the shop was moving out of its digs to make way for a new condo tower, but that it would likely be reopening in a new location. Today, however, owner Alison Fryer confirmed that the business is shuttering for good.
“It wasn’t a decision we took lightly,” says Fryer. “In our hearts, we always thought we’d be here until our dying days. But it just didn’t make sense financially.” A press release on the store’s website explains that the past year was particularly challenging for the store, not only due to the sale of the building, but also because of bad weather, ongoing construction projects nearby and stiff competition from online book sellers.
The official closing date has yet to be set, but Fryer expects it will be around the end of March. There is one silver lining: cookbook collectors will be able to pad their libraries at a discount by shopping the store’s closing sale, which starts on Saturday. Fans and friends can also look forward to a big, blowout potluck dinner sometime in March.
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Toronto food enthusiasts are losing one of their best hangouts. After a 31-year run at 850 Yonge Street, The Cookbook Store is closing. Last fall, we reported that the shop was moving out of its digs to make way for a new condo tower, but that it would likely be reopening in a new location. Today, however, owner Alison Fryer confirmed that the business is shuttering for good.
“It wasn’t a decision we took lightly,” says Fryer. “In our hearts, we always thought we’d be here until our dying days. But it just didn’t make sense financially.” A press release on the store’s website explains that the past year was particularly challenging for the store, not only due to the sale of the building, but also because of bad weather, ongoing construction projects nearby and stiff competition from online book sellers.
The official closing date has yet to be set, but Fryer expects it will be around the end of March. There is one silver lining: cookbook collectors will be able to pad their libraries at a discount by shopping the store’s closing sale, which starts on Saturday. Fans and friends can also look forward to a big, blowout potluck dinner sometime in March.){kind=link}
A very sad loss indeed.
Josh Josephson owns The Cookbook Store. Alison Fryer is the store’s manager… get the facts correct, please.