Honest Ed's Park opens on Markham Street, honouring Toronto's legendary discount store

The city officially opened Honest Ed's Park on July 17, bringing a permanent public tribute to the beloved Toronto landmark that shaped the Annex neighbourhood for over 60 years.

Located at 608 Markham Street, the new green space sits just steps from where Honest Ed's stood until its closure in 2016 and complete demolition in 2018. The 1,213-square-metre park was designed by landscape architects PFS Studio and inspired by the store's famous hand-painted signs.

The park features gardens, picnic tables, abundant seating, and an interactive water feature shaped like a bird bath — a reference to founder Ed Mirvish's well-known slogan, "For the birds, cheep cheep cheep." Whether hunting for cheap kitchen gadgets, non-perishable food, or simply stopping to admire or photograph the flashing lights on the corner of Bathurst and Bloor, the store was one of those rare places that made Toronto feel like Toronto.

Mayor Olivia Chow said Honest Ed's was "a place that brought people together and reflected the spirit of Toronto." David Mirvish, son of Ed, called the new park a "wonderful continuation of the community" his parents spent decades building.

While the store is gone for good, Honest Ed's isn't quite done lighting up the city. A restored neon sign made a comeback, returning to Ed's Alley near its original location and marking the first piece of the store to reappear since the demolition.