After petitioning against a Loblaws near Kensington Market, residents have learned the big box store will indeed be coming to the market. After months of speculation, developer Tribute Communities confirmed the supermarket chain will be moving into the retail space in the College Condominiums a , 15-storey building currently under construction at 297 College St. near Spadina Avenue. The developer had previously met with concerned market residents in a community forum to hear concerns over traffic congestion and the negative impact Loblaws might have on the smaller independent retailers. Last year, residents protested outside the development site and the Friends of Kensington Market, a community group, created an online petition attempting to reach more than 150,000 signatures.
Residents are also working to stop a RioCan development a proposed Walmart at 420 Bathurst Street near Dundas. That proposal is currently on a freeze while the decision is being appealed to the Ontario Municipal Board (OMB). There's also a campaign against that proposal which has raised more than $30,000.
Below, Friends of Kensington Market wrote this open letter to Galen G. Weston, Executive Chairman, Loblaw Companies Limited.
· Loblaws is Officially Moving into Kensington Market [Toronto Life]
· Will Kensington Market Locals Hate the New College Condos? [Curbed Toronto]
· Will This be the Most Hated Walmart in Toronto? [Curbed Toronto]
· Group Opposes Plan to Bring Loblaws to Kensington Market [CBC]