As certified shopaholics, we’ve done the deed everywhere. Bricks-and-mortar malls, sample sales, pop-up shops, e-retailers – you name it, we’ve shopped it. And while we love all of our regular shopping haunts equally, there’s one that we love just a little more equally than the others: Toronto Eaton Centre.
For as long as we’ve been shopping, Toronto Eaton Centre has been the heartbeat of the Toronto fashion retail scene and a stylish icon in our city. Growing up, our family often took the subway downtown for Saturday trips to the Eaton’s department store. We now live in 3 different cities, but Boxing Day at TEC – and all the frenzied fun that comes with it – remains an annual family tradition.
In between Boxing Days, TEC and its 3 floors of trendy offerings have always been there for us in our greatest times of sartorial need. From the search for the perfect wedding shoes for S’s big day back in 2007 to the hunt for a chic blazer to complete T’s outfit for our FASHION Magazine feature last year, TEC has come through for us every time, making it one of our top shopping destinations.
Our beloved Toronto Eaton Centre celebrates its 35th anniversary this Friday, February 10, and we at The Backseat Stylers couldn’t be more excited about it! With $120 million of renovations currently underway and new stores like J. Crew (can’t wait!), PINK by Victoria’s Secret and Juicy Couture opening in 2012, TEC is only getting better with age.
In honour of this big 35th birthday, we’re teaming up with Toronto Eaton Centre to give away $35 Cadillac Fairview shop! gift cards to 5 lucky readers of The Backseat Stylers! Want one? All you have to do is tell us your favourite memory of Toronto Eaton Centre for a chance to win. We shared ours in this 35th anniversary video over on TEC’s Facebook page (go watch!). What’s yours?
Good luck everyone! And a very happy birthday to you, Toronto Eaton Centre!
xx, T & S
Contest Rules:
1. To enter, leave us a comment on this blog post telling us your favourite Toronto Eaton Centre memory and ‘like’ Toronto Eaton Centre’s 35th anniversary Facebook page here.
2. For a bonus entry (you must complete step #1 first), tweet the following: “@toeatoncentre is turning 35, and @backseatstylers is giving away five $35 Shop! Cards to celebrate! http://bit.ly/A13ZKe #giveaway”
3. For another bonus entry (you must complete step #1 first), set your Facebook status to “Toronto Eaton Centre is turning 35, and The Backseat Stylers are giving away five $35 Shop! Cards to celebrate! http://bit.ly/A13ZKe″ Be sure to tag both The Backseat Stylers and Toronto Eaton Centre so we can see it.
4. Maximum 3 entries per person.
5. The contest closes at midnight on February 14, 2012. The five winners will be selected randomly and announced on February 15, 2012. Winners will be notified by e-mail.
6. This giveaway is open to our readers located in Canada only.
7. There are no prize substitutions.
Sponsored by Toronto Eaton Centre
My fav memory was as a kid, likely about 6 or so and my parents took us to the Eaton centre, I remember thinking how huge it was, I thought to myself, now this is a mall! I loved all the escaltors that seemsed to move below to an endless amount of floors
My favourite eaton centre memory was crossing over during my breaks from school at ryerson to catch a quick lunch and some lunch hour shopping.
Tweeted https://mobile.twitter.com/#!/drewz_fhreal/status/166887779119271936
My favourite memory of the eaton centre was walking through everyday while going to ryerson and eyeing all the pieces i was going to buy when i was going to come home from school. Well i ended up going in between breaks and scored a great pair of jeans for like 60% off. Best day ever!
Tweet. https://mobile.twitter.com/marlibu/status/166890078214426625
Posted on fb
Marla p
My favourable memory is the mall is big with all sorts of shops I like and whenever my family go, everyone is happy as there must be one of their favourite shops in this one mall!
I remember when the Eaton Centre was being built and the flying Canadian geese in the foyer were unveiled. It looked so cool and Canadian
I have too many fond memories of the Eaton Center but one of my most meaningful memories was spending lengthy hours watching the fountain as a young boy with my great grandma, brings back memories whenever I pass it! A bit of home in a big place
My favourite memory was when I was just a kid. My mother , sister and I lived in the High Park area. My mom kept me and my sister home from school neither of us knew why, she wouldn’t tell us. We hopped onto the Streetcar and we were off. It was my first time downtown or at least closer to downtown than Honest Eds. We stopped near University and started walking towards The Eaton Centre. My mom gave both my sister and I $75 to spend their. We were the richest kids on the planet that day. I bought my first pair of Adidas I was maybe 16 I’m 34 now and still in love with Adidas everything! And I can’t remember a year going by that I haven’t stopped in to pick something up. I live in the city again and I’m at TEC weekly!
Many Favourite Eaton Centre moments… Most recently, finding faux leather shorts at 70% off retail, 50% of boots, additional 30% off sales items.. woohoo!!! I love sales.
An older favourite? When I was in junior high, parents gave me $100 to do back to school shopping at Eaton Centre. One Hundred Whole dollars!
I love going to Eaton Center every Christmas to enjoy their holiday decorations, I especially liked their big dear displays they had this year!
My favourite memories of the Eaton Centre was having lunch at Lime Rickey’s or Mr. GreenJeans with my sister and spending the afternoon shopping with our babysitting money.
Thanks and Happy Anniversay Eaton Centre!
Best, Lisa
My favourite memory in Eaton Centre was when I saw the big christmas tree the very first time I went to Eaton Centre. It is beautiful with those Swarovzki crystals then put on. Then from then on, I look forward every year for the christmas tree. Im still amaze how they decorate the christmas tree every year with different theme for that year.
I have tweeted this giveaway @LittleMama71 here:
https://twitter.com/#!/LittleMama71/status/166906781614874624
Thanks, Lisa
I “LIKE” Toronto Eaton Centre’s 35th anniversary Facebook page as Lisa Carbone
Best, Lisa
I have set my Facebook status to “Toronto Eaton Centre is turning 35, and The Backseat Stylers are giving away five $35 Shop! Cards to celebrate! http://bit.ly/A13ZKe″
Cheers, Lisa
My favourite memory is walking in for the first time and seeing all the stores.
I liked their Facebook page (Jessy T)! My favourite memory at TEC would be eating at the food court after a couple of hours of skating at Nathan Phillips Square. It’s always such a treat to go for some fast food after working our butts off at the rink! After that, my friends & I would walk around the mall and shop off those calories!
Tweeted here: https://twitter.com/#!/jessy757/status/166913615901900801
my favourite Eaton Centre memory is shopping during the holidays and enjoying the decorations..it’s nice to see some new Christmas displays this year..and of course the crowds of last minute shoppers really help with the christmas spirit!
My favourite memory of the Toronto Eaton Centre was working at one of the stores with all the great employees and making a habit of using my lunch break to go window shopping. TEC will always have a place in my heart.
Tweeted @erinleighstevie
While I was going to Ryerson, met my best friend for lunch and shopping almost daily at Toronto Eaton Centre.
My favourite memory is when my uncle took me to Mr. Green Jeans for the very first time. We ate sooo much food and I was sooo full but my uncle still ordered me one of those amazing gigantic milkshakes (it was pretty big because I was so young) and I finished it! I was so full I actually threw up outside of the Eaton Centre. It has always been a very funny story to tell.
oh yay!! My favourite memory is coming to Toronto (when I used to live out in the boonies) with my mom and sister to watch a figure skating show with my figure skating group and sneaking away to the Eaton Centre to do some shopping before the show started! I think this may have also been my first visit to the Eaton centre!
Liked the Toronto Eaton Centre page on FB and my status is changed! I think I need to start a Twitter account.. will update if I do! :p
My favourite memory (I should say memories) coincides with my sister’s! THE EATON CENTRE was such a thrill and considered a major event when we planned to travel to Toronto, which is 1.5 hours from where we grew up. We didn’t have any major stores nearby so coming to Toronto to shop was a BIG DEAL. Each time, we tried to hit as many shops as possible…it was exhausting but so fabulous at the same time!
my favourite memory is watching it being built, looking at the big hole in the ground that was to be the eaton centre
tweeted
https://twitter.com/#!/garfan11/status/166995438996688898
My earliest memory of the Toronto Eaton Centre is years ago when my grandfather went to the Royal Winter Fair to show sheep. As a prize he would be given a silver platter with the Eaton Centre name engraved into it. He collected quite a few of these silver trays! They are a keepsake.
I should have mentioned in mandatory entry that I also ‘like’ Toronto Eaton Centre’s 35th anniversary Facebook page.
Tweet~ http://twitter.com/glogirl3/status/166996326091988993
My favorite memory is the first time I saw the unveiling of the spectacular Christmas tree covered in Swarovski crystals.
What a sight to see!
I’ve stopped by the mall during Christmastime every year thereafter to catch a glimpse.
Fave Eaton Centre memory of late is the feeling of accomplishment and warmth as I walked through the mall with my shopping buddy extraordinaire (;p) after my first ever ‘campout’ for Lanvin x H&M.
My fave moment is experiencing retail therapy almost on a daily basis while walking through the Eaton Centre everyday after work. This is a great way to relax your body and exercise at the same time.
My favourite memory is visiting each year over the holidays and seeing the Swarovski tree!
My favourite memory of the Eaton Centre was shopping there during high school when I had half days or days off from school. It has changed so much since then! After high school I spent even more time there because I was a Ryerson student. If I had a long break between classes, I would be there for sure!
A few years ago I worked on a campaign that involved creating 3 installations that would do a mall tour. They happened to be in the Eaton Centre during Nuit Blanche. Though they weren’t part of the NB program at all, when I approached them near 1am there was a crowd around them, observing them as art.
It made me proud of the project, and happy that the Eaton Centre would have its doors open for such great opportunities.
I changed my status on Facebook.
http://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=367304266631654&id=100001213315054
Tweeted: https://twitter.com/#!/choonkitng/status/167135215741964288
Favorite memory of Eaton Centre is coming to Toronto with my Mom before leaving for Japan and visiting Universities for grad school. We visited Eaton Centre and were amazing by how big it was and all of the hustle and bustle! Great memories
Toronto Eaton Centre memory i would say when i went every year to see santa
Coming to the Toronto Eaton Centre always used to be a big weekend affair with my family when I was younger. We live in Scarborough and it always seemed like a journey away. Now, still living in Scarborough, I go to university right next to the Eaton Centre almost everyday and am still making memories there.
My favourite memory was during March break when i was in high school that me and my friends would take the subway down to Eaton Center for movie and shopping.
My fave memory was several years ago I took a last minute trip to Toronto and as I was wondering the Eaton Centre I ran into a old friend of mine whom I hadn’t seen for ages and had completely lost touch with. They too lived in another city and just decided to visit the Eaton Centre in Toronto on a whim! It was fate!
First of all, I wanna thank all the staffs and workers of eaton centre! They are all so nice and respectful, it makes me want to visite the mall at least once or twice a week! The best day of my life actually happened at Eaton Centre, it was August 22nd 2010! Almost two years ago, I entered a contest on twitter to meet and greet my favourite artist Enrique at Sears located at Eatons! Luckily I won, and let me tell you it was the best DAY OF MY LIFE!!!!! I cried, i freaked out.. even almost fainted!! This dream of mine wouldnt have came true without the help of the staff memebers at Eatons! I love you guys a lot, thank you soooo soo much! I will remember this day forever!!!!
Nuit Blanche (a few years ago) with the Giant Hanging Rabbit at the Eaton’s Centre! Amazing!
Wow. 35 years ago and most Christmas’s after my parents would take me, my brother and sister out of school for the day so we could see all the window displays at the Eaton’s centre. The windows and the toy department were unbelievable. Going to the Eaton Centre was the only way we were going to see most of those toys. Our local stores did not carry anywhere near that amount of stock.
It was a special day every year. No school and a day out with the family. Good times.
I remember being 4 or 5 and making my first trip to the Eaton Centre. Walking in through the front doors off Queen St, I marveled in the size, scale, and the wonderful geese hanging from above.
My favourite memory of Toronto Eaton Centre is of taking my Aunt who is from England to shop. She enjoyed it and so did I!
Camping out in front of my favourite stores on boxing day every year is always a great memory for me at the Eaton Centre. I’ve purchased so many great shoes and clothes at amazing deals every year!!!
I have two awesome memories of the Eaton Centre. (1) I remember going to see the movie “Splash” at the Eaton Centre with my sister and grandmother back in 1984. I was 10 years old and remember thinking that the screen was so small. I don’t think any other movie theatre had such small screens as the Eaton Centre did. I think my TV in my living room is bigger! (2) I remember in 1996 taking the day off of work to head to the Eaton Centre to see MR. BEAN! Rowan Atkinson was making a personal apperance! The crowd was so big that Mr. Bean was out on stage for only about 5 minutes before security pulled him off of the stage for security reasons. The fans weren’t happy but I could understand why they did what they did. I love the Eaton Centre!!!
My favourite Eaton Centre memory is when I was little and my parents used to take my siblings and I to Mr. Greenjeans on Sunday nights for “special occasions” like if we did well in school, or if I won a dance recital…I would get to celebrate with a meal at MGJ’s. Nothing beat those milkshakes and potato chips!!
My favourite Eaton Centre was going there as a young child every march break and getting a special treat that you could only get in the big city. Everytime I go to Toronto to this day, I stop and get a special treat
I would always go to the Eatons Centre with my mom when I was young as it was a big trip to Toronto. We would do the mall from top to bottom; start at Eatons and finish at Simpsons and eat at Mr. Greenjeans.
My favourite memory of the Eaton’s Centre is a time years ago when my Mom and I went to Toronto for the day and ended it with dinner at Mr. Greenjeans and a movie in one of the many little movie theatres that used to be a part of the Eaton Centre. We saw “Sophie’s Choice”, so that tells you how long ago my memory took place!
My favourite memory at the Eaton Centre is going shopping with my Dad every year in June as a reward for a straight A report card. The Bay had an amazing Barbie boutique and I was allowed to pick one Barbie for myself each time. I no longer have the dolls, but the understanding that hard work pays off (and not just in Barbies) is with me for life.
I also liked the TEC 35th anniversary page on fb as Jessica Wroblewska.
I tweeted for another entry:
https://twitter.com/#!/emilovadragneva/status/167502088157401088
My fav Eaton Centre moment was going to the disney store as a kid… what happened to the Disney Store!!???
Toronto Eaton Centre memories would be eating @ the I believe it was called the strawberry Patch back in the day (they sold frozen yogurt and sandwichs and Eating @ Eatons upstairs with my parents.
https://twitter.com/#!/MarsbarJewelry1/status/167626824510222336
My favorite Toronto Eaton Centre memory was Boxing Day this year. Arrived to the mall just when the doors opened at either 7 or 8a.m. and it wasn’t that packed until the afteroon where it was almost impossible to get around the crowd, never seen a mall being this crowded!
Tweet: https://twitter.com/#!/christinadragan/status/167652387534807043
When I was around 12 or 13, I made plans with a friend to meet at the Eaton Centre’s glass doors. Clearly, we didn’t realise how many sets of glass doors there were at the Eaton Centre, because we were waiting at completely opposite ends of the mall!
I’d say my favorite moments were when I was still in university, in North York, to make a special trip downtown to go shopping in Eaton center and than to have New York fries as a treat
we would religiously go through every floor and spent probably 3-4 hours in the wall!
https://twitter.com/#!/TheFunkyCrew/status/167672671478366208
Having one of those absolutely massive ice cream sundaes from Mr. Greenjeans for the very first time is probably my favourite TEC memories! And then recording NKOTB sings in the recording booth afterward. What a great day
I like TEC’s 35th anniversary page on Facebook (Andrea Mackenzie). Thanks!
When I managed one of the two Sirens’ stores (used to be beside Le Chateau), I would always schedule myself on Sundays. My favourite girls on staff and I would take the “secret” path to the Tim Hortons to stock up on treats to get us through the day. Sundays were always my favourite days because of the times I spent at the Toronto Eaton Centre.
Just tweeted about the contest (@LadyCuteKitty)
My favorite memory? That’s easy. I had one a $1000 shopping spree. I don’t think I’ve ever spent that amount of money in such a short amount of time. Let’s just say I walked out of the TEC one very happy girl.
oh Gosh. I have so many memories that I love there (most involving my beloved Disney Store), but I think the best would have to be when I took my cousin, who recently immigrated to Canada, there for the first time last Winter. The Swarovski tree drove her mad and she was in love with the geese! The malls here are so different from where she’s from so it was amazing seeing her reactions. =)
Also, I tweeted! –> https://twitter.com/#!/xxSilence/status/167676835956654080
My favourite Eaton Centre memory was coming down for early morning appointments with a specialist at Sick Kids. To make me feel better after my appointment we always went to TEC for the most efficient therapy – retail therapy!
I tweeted too
From @JamieLeighTO
my favourite memory is when i shopped with my childhood bestie there, experiencing my first taste of freedom!
My favourite memory is purchasing a Mother’s Day gift when I was 10.
Liked Eaton Center
I set my Facebook status to “Toronto Eaton Centre is turning 35, and The Backseat Stylers are giving away five $35 Shop! Cards to celebrate! http://bit.ly/A13ZKe″ and tagged both The Backseat Stylers and Toronto Eaton Centre (Cheryl Andrews-Morreale)
I tweeted:
https://twitter.com/#!/loucheryl/status/167341869536247808
My favourite memory was the first time I went there when i was four years old. From that day I knew I wantedd to work at there when i got older. It was so big. As I got older my favourite memories were from boxing day. All the deals and line ups and crowds. I love the TNA store there.
My fave memory of the Eaton center was approx 20yrs ago. My husband and I travelled to Toronto for our ‘dating’ anniversary. we stayed at the Delta Chelsea and walked over to the Eatons Center.. we spent the day there.. We did this for approx 5yrs thereafter every November.
I tweeted @toeatoncentre is turning 35, and @backseatstylers is giving away five $35 Shop! Cards to celebrate! http://bit.ly/A13ZKe #giveaway”
FB status updated thanks
When I was in my teens and living in Kitchener, it was always so exciting to come into Toronto and go shopping at the Eaton Centre! We certainly had nothing like it in KW and it always made coming to the “big city” so much fun.
My fav memory at the Eaton Centre was in highschool and only 15 years old. A group of girls and I decided to head to the Eaton Centre to try and find the group of guys that we liked at the time. Sure enough, they were there. We shared flirtatious conversation and McDonalds fries in the food court before window shopping the amazing stores! At that time, we coveted all apparel in the windows but could not afford. Oh how the EC has changed since then! Best new addition outside of HBC adding The Room? I would have to say THE FOOD COURT
The Eaton Centre holds fond memories for me in a number of ways. During my university years at Ryerson, the Eaton Centre was a hang-out spot for me and my classmates. I remember wandering the mall with my heavy knapsack and people-watching while sitting in the food court sipping on my bubble tea. After graduation as a young professional, I also ended up working near the Eaton Centre.
It became my go-to for errands and during my lunch hour, I would check out the latest sales! Lastly, shopping at the Eaton Centre on Boxing Day has become a yearly tradition for my mom and me. You can find us there every year, bright and early, ready to shop til we drop! Oh Eaton Centre, how I love thee!!
My Facebook status!
http://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=298789010175313&id=1816720378
I tweeted as well:
https://twitter.com/#!/ameecq/status/167843321912369152
Wow! Amazing! I can’t believe it!
Coming from a small province on the East coast of Canada I was “awed” by the Toronto Eaton Centre – I’d never in my life seen any shopping centre as huge as this and was thrilled at the wonder of all the shops, restaurants, food court, facilities, services, etc. I felt like a “kid in a candy store”!! I am still in awe whenever I go there and the “kid in a candy store” still lives within me when I am there! Totally “Love” it!
I was a student at U of T, and met my husband at the Eaton Centre. We spent a lot of time browsing and shopping
My tweet https://twitter.com/#!/catamo/status/168029296533848065
My favourite Toronto Eaton Centre memory was 17 yrs ago when I first visited the mall. The fact that I could just step off the subway platform & walk right into the TEC was by far the coolest & amazing feature ever. What can I say…I’m easily impressed. TEC is one-of-a-kind!
p.s. I’m not on Facebook so I can’t “like” the Toronto Eaton Centre’s 35th Anniversary Facebook page. I hope this entry still counts. Fingers crossed!
Posted on my twitter account: http://bit.ly/y06JQI
Eaton Centre holds a very dear memory of a great reunion for me. I grew up in Malaysia and came to Canada as a teenager. Technology not being what it is now, I lost touch with my close friends and as the years went by we completely drifted apart. Which leads me to a few years ago, when I was at the Eaton Centre with my husband shopping at H&M. I had a couple of shirts picked out and was lined up to pay, when who else did I see but one of my closest childhood friends also waiting at the cash register! We recognized each other immediately and it was a great reunion! We laughed and cried and talked, and it all happened because H&M in Eaton Centre brought us together!
My favourite memory is yet to come… the day the eaton centre installs extra elevators!!!!!
I love freshii! delicious salads and wraps.
I consider the last time I went to the Santa Claus Parade to be one of my favourite memories of the Toronto Eaton Centre. My sweetie and I went downtown to Queen St. for the Parade. Afterwards, we went inside the Toronto Eaton Centre to warm up with hot drinks and a day of shopping. Happy 35th anniversary, Toronto Eaton Centre!
My fave memory is when they had Wii stations set up and we demolished bunch of 8 years old. Good times.
My favourite memory at the Eaton Centre happened soon after I arrived to Canada. I was there for the first time and lost my wallet with over $200 cash (basically all the money I had) in it with all my credit cards and ID in it. As anyone would, I freaked out and tried to retrace my steps in hopes of recovering my lost wallet. After walking my same path 4-5 times with no luck, I decided to check with guest services to see if anything had been turned in. To my pleasant surprise someone had turned it in with everything including all the money still inside! I wish I cold find the person who turned it in so I could personally thank them… we need more of these people in this world.
My favourite eaton’s moment is shopping with BSS co-founder T.
My favourite memory of the Eaton Centre is when I shopped til I dropped the very day I got my first credit card !
My favourite memory of the Eaton’s Centre is watching movies with my family at the huge cineplex they used to have there. back then, theatres weren’t as big as it, and it was always special to watch movies in a theatre like that when I was a kid.
Like you, my most memorable memory with TEC is whenever I’ve needed a quick fix for my sartorial woes. One time I had to go to an interview and was coming from work clothes so thankfully TEC was close to the interview place.
Also check out http://JERRLIFE.com every one!
As part of my college class we went to the Eaton Centre to analyze their store display and set up. Was a good day!
My favourite Eaton Centre memory was when I was in grade 11 and I went to Toronto (from Hamilton) with my class. We were seeing a play and we were given half the day to explore. My girlfriends and I went to the Eaton Centre to shop (an obvious choice when given any free time in Toronto!) I still remember running from store to store because we were afraid we would run out of time!
My favourite Eaton Centre memory has to be last Christmas. My boyfriend and I decided to go for some Christmas shopping… 2 things made it so memorable – 1 was the Swarovski Christmas tree which just blows my mind – it’s the most beautiful (and sparkly) thing I’ve ever seen. The other part that made it so memorable? The parade of Santa’s that came strolling through the mall – there must have been at least 50 of them!!
Favorite memory was my first time going to Eaton Centre. Was an all day event and explored from top to bottom and inside and out. Was amazing and exhausting.
twitted @sprinklecrinkle
updated facebook status
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