[miketoronto]

While the Downtown Yonge BIA has put up some christmas lighting, I have to say that I am a little saddened by how much Toronto's downtown retailers have cheaped out during the holiday seasons of the past couple years, when it comes to christmas displays, etc.

I still enjoy the lights, etc and window displays like at THE BAY. But it was not untill I saw some footage from Chicago and NYC that I saw just how much Toronto has declined in the holiday magic of Christmas decorations in our downtown core. Check out the following quick little videos from Chicago and NYC.

Look how their department stores still go all out. Each year with a different theme. Here the BAY used the same set from last year, SEARS does not even do anything, and other retailers do nothing to make their windows look great during the holiday.

I was reading a article from the Buffalo News where one of Buffalo's older suburbs got a hold of the old animated window sets from a closed downtown Buffalo Department store. Anyway the town had stores in the declining downtown area of this suburb put the animated windows in their display windows. Anyway it was a total success. The main street of this town the store owners said has never seen so much shoppers in like 20 years. It was a total success, and people from all over went to visit the windows.

Anyway the holiday season is over now. But I really wish Toronto would get its act together, because I can't say I know many people anymore that make a special trip to Toronto to see the holiday displays anymore. In Chicago, NYC, Pittsburgh, etc it is still a big deal to go into the city during the holiday season.

Would be nice to see Toronto put some splash and magic back into our downtown windows. It would probably bring tons more shoppers into the city to.

I think its kinda sad that we are a bigger city now, yet T.O. put on a better show 20-30 years ago then now.

Here are the links.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wo8I3FewF4A

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NKmvrndzObM

[WHISTLERINMUSKOKA]

Mike, first off Christmas is over and why are you going on about this issue still and in a new thread? The Bay although re-using last years Narnia window displays still puts on a good show not to mention this year they added the animated light curtains to the side of the building. And as for people no longer coming downtown to see the light show anymore that’s a load of crap. Perhaps you should take a look at this and see what Toronto was doing every weekend which drew thousands downtown. If the retailers find they are losing money because of their choice in holiday decorations then I’m sure they’ll make more of an effort for the following season.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=khLTV3CJpDM

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iwxQqQZnmt0&mode=related&search=

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yv6iCR69MHc&mode=related&search=

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/110/313469606_7196007f24_b.jpg

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/101/294127427_d7065b6336_b.jpg

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZFiQxxvCEN0

[miketoronto]

I bring it up, because I just happened to come across some views from Chicago and NYC. And it really shows how much Toronto cheaps out.

Its time Toronto rose to the challenge again, and really put on a good show like before. Our business cheaps out, and in the long run the entire city does.

[WHISTLERINMUSKOKA]

Mike how can you say the city cheaps out? There has been more spent on public spaces, public displays of decorations and cultural events such as the cavalcade of lights then any other time. So what, the Bay puts up the same Narnia display this year as last, get over it already. You can’t compare us with New York City; they’ve always done Christmas over the top. But from what you showed me of Chicago, meh! Animated Christmas displays have done little for me since I hit puberty, so don’t worry Mike one day you’ll be a man as well.

ps Mike- Santa doesn't exist.

[shappy]

Our business cheaps out, and in the long run the entire city does.

explain how the entire city cheaps out in the long run?

[Tony]

Dumb thread... must end.