Eaton's: A Canadian Institution

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Topic spans: 1869 - 2002

Eaton's: A Canadian Institution

T. Eaton Company was formed shortly after Canadian Confederation and soon became rooted in the country's cultural landscape. The department store was part of Canadian life. The Eaton's mail-order catalogue was called the "Family Bible" and the company's lavish Santa Claus parade launched the Christmas season. When the last Eaton's store closed its doors on Feb. 26, 2002 many Canadians mourned its death. It wasn't the business empire they would miss, but the loss of a national institution.

16 television clips

10 radio clips

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Jewel in the crown

Broadcast Date: Feb. 23, 1977

In February 1977 the Eaton Centre opens in Toronto and is the jewel in the Eaton family crown. After years of backroom negotiations the Eaton family finally sees its dream come true. With its spectacular vaulted glass galleria, the massive downtown shopping complex is considered an architectural landmark and helps revitalize the city's downtown. The Eaton Centre boasts more than 200 stores and is anchored on the north end by a grand nine-level Eaton's department store. The shopping complex also caters to the more affluent customer as highlighted in this TV news piece.

Jewel in the crown

•The Eaton family had a 20 per cent share in the Eaton Centre, earning them the right to own the name of the shopping complex.

•The Eaton Centre was an immediate success. The shopping complex averaged 500,000 visitors a week when it opened. Eaton's department store sales increased by 38 per cent in the first eight months.

•The Eaton Centre was first conceived as a larger complex which would have included a 69-storey office/apartment tower and a 500-room hotel. The development of this project hinged on the demolition of Old City Hall in downtown Toronto. Public protest over the planned demolition of a city landmark eventually forced a downscaled revision of the original plans.

Jewel in the crown

Medium: Television

Program: Take 30

Broadcast Date: Feb. 23, 1977

Guest(s): Richard Shaw

Host: Mary Lou Finlay

Duration: 4:20

This clip was edited for copyright reasons.

Last updated:
Sept. 1, 2009

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