Six months after his death, the city is now taking steps to honour Ed Mirvish and his contributions to Toronto.On Tuesday, Toronto-East York Community Council adopted a motion to start the process of renaming the parkette adjacent to Bathurst Subway station to the Ed and Anne Mirvish Parkette.
"We can't look at renaming the park without including Anne who is an art icon in her own right," said Ward 19 (Trinity Spadina) Councillor Joe Pantalone.
"She urged Ed Mirvish to buy the Royal Alexandra Theatre. We want to recognize the good that both of them have done for the community."
Anne Mirvish is not only a supporter of the arts, but an artist herself. She is best known for her series of metal sculptures titled Annie's Recipes and Memories of Tuscany, both of which received international critical acclaim.
The parkette is kitty corner to Mirvish's landmark Honest Ed's Discount Emporium. The store has always had a significant presence in the community, not only physically, but socially as a gathering place for many events like the annual Christmas Turkey giveaway and street celebrations for Ed Mirvish's birthday each year.
Spokesperson for the Mirvish family, Russel Lazaar, said the family is pleased with the choice of parkette.
"It is the closest park or parkette near Bathurst and Bloor," said Lazaar. "It is a very fitting tribute."
Ed and Anne Mirvish operated a small store called Anne and Eddie's prior to the opening of Honest Ed's said Lazaar, but it was always in that same neighbourhood.
"They started their career there in 1941," he said.
Lazaar said that he hopes the city proceeds fairly swiftly with the renaming of the parkette.
"We hope Anne is with us for many many years," said Lazaar. "But we hope it gets passed fairly quickly so she can enjoy it as long as possible."
Once the renaming is official, the family will look at placing some sort of physical tribute to the Mirvish couple, noted Lazaar.
In addition to the parkette, the motion asks staff to look at renaming the portion of Duncan Street, between Pearl and King streets, to Ed Mirvish Way.
"Both the Mirvish Village BIA and the Downtown Entertainment District have been very supportive," said Lazaar.
"There couldn't be a better location," said Pantalone, noting that almost the entirety of the businesses on that strip are owned by the Mirvish family. "The owners will be in favour."
But moreover, it's a chance for the city to laud its theatre impressario, the man (and the family) who unquestionably changed Toronto's cultural landscape in purchasing the Royal Alexandra Theatre and bringing top quality musical theatre to the city.
"They can't be missed. They won't be missed," said Pantalone.