The most notable Toronto businesses that closed in 2015

Some well loved (and lesser-loved) Toronto shops, restaurants, cafes and other local businesses closed this past year. While the most high profile flameouts might have been Future Shop and Target there were a slew of smaller establishments that we also bid farewell to over the past 12 months including some longstanding Toronto institutions.

Here's a roundup of some of the notable Toronto businesses that closed in 2015.

TORONTO INSTITUTIONS

Active Surplus
After over 30 years on Queen West, the unique, miscellaneous electronics shop has vacated the area.

Daiters
The creamery and appetizing store on Bathurst joined the deadpool this year after five decades in business.

Guvernment
The entertainment complex threw a final blow out party in January 2015.

Just Desserts
Once a thriving chain of dessert cafes, the last surviving location shut down in July.

King Falafel
After 38 years in business, this Middle Eastern take-out shop in Forest Hill will serve its last falafel on New Year's Eve.

O'Connor Bowl
The 24-lane complex closed this year just shy of its 65th birthday. This condo is rising in its place.

Rancho Relaxo
The long-time College Street institution gave way to the opening of the Old Laurel when it packed it in and served its last margarita in August. Fear not, this Mexican eatery is due for a resurrection, re-opening at the corner of Edwin and Dupont in the new year.

Splendido
New Year's Eve is the final blow out for this Harbord restaurant famous for its tasting menu and fine service. Chef and owner Victor Barry will shutter the 25-year-old Toronto institution in order to pursue "work-life balance," writes the Globe

St. Andrew Poultry
The Kensington Market stalwart had been in business since 1962, but suddenly shuttered right before Thanksgiving and even left a few customers in the lurch when they came to pick-up their pre-ordered turkeys.

Velvet Underground
The name is going to live on but the goth club will be converted into a revamped live music venue after 20 years on Queen West.

Zimmerman's
The Kensington Market stalwart announced its closure late last year and shut the doors to the discount emporium at the onset of the new year.

BARS

The Geraldine
The sultry cocktail parlour in Parkdale closed in August just short of its two year anniversary.

The Charlotte Room
The pool hall shut down in April after 17 years in business. Lucky for billiards fans, The Roxy Bar has picked up where it left off.

Crush Wine Bar
The longtime fixture on King West shuttered in June after an almost 13 year run, and is now home to Fring's, an abomination of burgers and bottle service owned by homegrown celebs.

The Sister
The Parkdale watering hole shut down in February and was newly re-christened as The Tennessee by spring.

Souz Dal
The popular Little Italy Tiki bar is out of commission and soon to be replaced by a new craft beer bar from the same team behind Bar Volo.

CAFES

Sam James Coffee Bar
The hole-in-the-wall coffee shop on Ossington has been squeezed out of this neighbourhood by American retailer Shinola. The cash-only cafe closed up shop on Christmas Eve.

Sense Appeal
The massive cafe and coffee roasting operation shut down two Toronto locations after owners parted ways in March.

Seven Grams Espresso Bar
The popular Yorkville-area cafe closed this fall after a nearly five year run.

The Slow Room
The tiny coffee shop at College and Ossington suddenly found itself in a sea of competing indie cafes this year and called it quits.

Moo Milk Bar
Cookie lovers in The Beach(es) will mourn this mainstay, known for cookies, flavoured milk and ice cream sandwiches.

RESTAURANTS

Happy Hooker
The fish shop on Dundas West was once home to a solid selection of oyster po'boys and fish tacos, but quality had been sinking prior to its close. The Pie Commission popped-up in its place soon after.

Amaya the Indian Room
The restaurant on Bayview closed in July only to be later reborn as the Indian Street Food Co.

The Atlantic
Not even a Million Dollar Review could keep Chef Nathan Isberg's interest piqued in running a conventional eatery. The restaurant operated on a pay-what-you-want model and had done away with booze, but Isberg still found the concept unfulfilling.

Babur
After two decades on Queen West, this Indian restaurant shuttered in the fall when chef Rajendra Wadhawan retired.

Black Skirt
This charming southern Italian restaurant on College St. served white anchovy crostini and made one excellent Amaretto Sour. It shuttered this summer and is soon to be replaced by a new concept from the Playa Cabana family of restaurants.

Catch
The sustainable seafood spot on St. Clair just couldn't sustain itself.

Celline Garden
Leslieville's oldest Chinese restaurant closed its doors this past spring and has since been replaced by The Thirsty Duck, a Haligonian-inspired bar.

Czehoski
After a decade in business on Queen West, this popular restaurant shuttered in October.

Destingo
The casual Italian eatery on West Queen West couldn't seem to attract enough attention even with its awesome street side patio.

Enzo Pizza Bar
The West Queen West pizzeria is among few on this list moving on to bigger and better things. The restaurant was bought by an American hospitality group, and while it's deadpool in Toronto, the restaurant will live on in Los Angeles and Mexico.

Essen
The closure of this Jewish restaurant on Dundas West made me all verklempt. Alas, I got over it when the Saucy Pierogi moved in after.

Fishbar
Fans of sustainable seafood were left gutted when this restaurant on Ossington went belly up at the end of June when the landlord locked them out due to unpaid rent.

Gilead Cafe
Jamie Kennedy's Corktown restaurant shuttered this year and is now home-base for Feast lunch delivery service.

The Grilled Cheese
This sandwich shop in Kensington Market shut down amidst allegations of shady business practices and unpaid wages. New owners took over and promptly reinstated a grilled cheese-centric outlet in the neighbourhood.

Hot Beans
The vegan takeout counter in Kensington Market served its last burrito before spring even arrived. The address is now home to vegan Caribbean eatery, Veggie D'Light.

Hudson Kitchen
The promising restaurant opened amidst the glitz and glamour of TIFF but closed its doors in mid January 2015. Now you'll find Old School occupying the same Dundas West address.

The Huntsman Tavern
Joining the streak of short-lived establishments at this address (Mitzi's and Red Fish among them), this comfy public house has closed and been replaced by Fat City Blues.

Loire
First Tati and now this. It's almost as if Harbord Village (and its multi-million dollar duplexes) can't sustain a French bistro.

Osteria dei Ganzi
The Italian restaurant housed in a historic mansion in Church Wellesley Village quietly closed its doors - forever ending hope of another In-N-Out pop-up.

Porzia
This Italian restaurant in Parkdale went deadpool without warning in November. Chef Basilio Pesce remarked of the closure that "It's time to close this chapter and move on to what's next."

Rock Lobster (Leslieville)
The east side arm of this seafood restaurant called it quits after just one year in business. The Queen East address is now home to PO Box 1192.

Sadie's Diner
The vegetarian brunch destination on Adelaide closed in June when owner Al Ridley retired.

Swan
This popular West Queen West diner served its last brunch in March and was then acquired by Anthony Rose who preserved the interior and the name.

This End Up
The late night snack/cocktail bar on Dundas West was once home to the Better Mac, a totally awesome upgrade on McD's signature offering. The place closed its doors after a three year run and has been replaced by Antler.

THR & Co.
Cory Vitiello's 60-seat dining room on Harbord Street is soon to be replaced by his fast casual concept, Flock, which specializes in rotisserie chicken and salads.

Trimurti
That little pocket of great Indian food on Queen West is thinner than ever with the closure of Trimurti too.

The Vegan Duchess
The vegan eatery closed up shop at Yonge & Eglinton this fall and has since revamped its business model as a raw vegan catering, juice cleanse and meal delivery service.

Vita Sociale
Formerly high profile Centro, this restaurant had been revamped as a casual, accessible Italian eatery but found itself shuttered just a week into 2015.

RETAILERS

Bicyclette
The retail shop on West Queen West closed up shop in February this year and moved sales to online only.

Cabaret Vintage
The vintage shop on Queen West has been dealing in flapper dresses for 20 years, but will become a relic of its own at the end of the year.

The Film Buff
The video store on Roncy shuttered in December after a nearly two decade run.

Noble Hop
The home brew supply shop quietly shut its doors back in October.

Vortex Records
After nearly 40 years in business, the record shop sang its swan song.

What did I miss? Add your notable Toronto businesses that closed this year in the comments.

by Liora Ipsum via blogTO