DISQUS

Dave Delaney : Dave Made That: A piece of my history is destroyed

  • Connie Crosby · 1 year ago
    Dave: Thank you for sharing your memories. I have been following the progress of this fire via the TV. It is very sad.

    Cheers,
    Connie
  • Karen Burke · 1 year ago
    Hi Dave, I am on the verge of tears over this. I brought Ross to Suspect on his first visit to Toronto...so many memories. It is a sad morning.
  • aaron · 1 year ago
    Hey Dave - terrible news, thanks for the post
  • Marc Smith · 1 year ago
    Thanks for sharing this Dave. When I think of how I would feel if a fire took out certain venues in my hometown of Memphis, I can identify with your loss.
  • Dave · 1 year ago
    Thanks Connie. I only hope people remember to shop at Suspect's other location in Mirvish Village.

    Suspect is luck they have another location. Duke's was in that store for over 80 years! Tragic.

    Dave
  • Hans · 1 year ago
    That sucks, Suspect Video is where I used to go when I lived at Queen and Bathurst... and for me, being a sound guy and hifi fanatic, I'm sad about all the nice equipment lost at National Sound. The poor old owner, he was always just soldering on some parts, lonely in the store... I guess both stores will not be there anymore after this fire. They will be missed!
  • Jorge · 1 year ago
    Just yesterday I walked into National Sound and talked to the old guy there who gave me some advice on my turntable problem. So nice and non-condescending. It will be missed for sure.
  • Liis · 1 year ago
    hey Dave - thanks for still thinking of TO. I've been following the story via web as I work outside of the core but still live downtown. It is a sad day for us here in your former home, to lose such a great part of Old Toronto and, especially, Suspect Video.
  • Marita · 1 year ago
    My heart is hurting. What to do?
  • ScarboroughDude · 1 year ago
    Terribly sad day for Torontonians - collectively, and as individuals with so many memories of that area. We're such a young country, so it's even more painful losing a piece of 100 year history. Most of the small shop owners didn't seem to have insurance either. What a loss!
  • Dave · 1 year ago
    I'm so happy to see all of your comments here. Thanks for taking the time to share your memories and thoughts.

    There is speculation that the fire was caused by a drug lab in one of the apartments above the stores, but nothing is confirmed yet.

    Either way, it's truly tragic. Be sure to send you love to the gang at Suspect on Markham Street (next to Honest Ed's).

    You can send your condolences to the guys at Duke's here: http://dukescycle.ca/ There is a heart breaking photo of the shop 80+ years ago.

    Dave
  • Bishop · 1 year ago
    Hi Dave,
    Thankfully everyone is safe and uninjured. The loss of Suspect Video is a HUGE blow to people like us who loves us our foreign, peculiar, and unique films.

    I believe to help support Suspect this weekend, folks are being urged to run up to the Markham location and rent something from them. Anything from them. See you there.
  • Chris Barry · 1 year ago
    Suspect was a landmark. I can't bring myself to go down there and look at the damage in person. Even now I remain completely depressed about it. As a film lover, Suspect was more important to me than the TIFF.

    Sad to see it go. Why couldn't this have happened to the McDonald's on Spadina and Queen instead?

    Thanks for your great post
  • Dave · 1 year ago
    Thank for your comments.
    Great call Bishop. People should definitely head to the Markham location to support them. Queen to Bloor isn't that far a walk.

    Chris, I know what you mean. I'm saddened to hear that there's a Home Depot going into the parking lot at Queen and Portland. There goes the neighbourhood.

    I agree with you too. Suspect was indeed much more important to me that TIFF.

    I went down to see the damage on Sunday night before I left Toronto back to Nashville. It was horrible to see the remains.

    Listen to stories on the CBC here:
    http://snurl.com/20g6r [podcast_cbc_ca]
  • katya · 1 year ago
    Dave,
    Couldn't agree with you more. I worked for Luis for a couple years, and spent time as a youngster, loafing around the Markham Street store when it first opened. if I could choose a second set of parents, it would be Luis & Merrill and you can throw in Uncle Daniel for good measure!. Toronto will never be the same, and now my reasons for leaving the Yukon territory, have diminished.
  • "unkle" Daniel · 1 year ago
    Holy shit! I just found this blog and, man-o-man, I'm touched beyond words! My name is Daniel and I have been the Manager and Head Buyer at the Suspect on Queen w. for the last 8 years (I had worked there for 12-13 years). Thanks so much for the fond remembrances and kind words! I am currently attempting to rebuild the collection and re-open a new store asap. You can follow the progress at http://www.500wattbrain.blogspot.com/
    And a big fat hello and a hug to Katya! Long time no see! Contact me via my blog! I'd love to talk to you again, it has been waaaaay too long!
  • Dave · 1 year ago
    Thanks Katya. Thanks so much for sharing. It's clear you had a real connection with Suspect. I miss that store(s) living in Nashville now. These days my only option is NetFlix and it just ain't the same.

    Daniel, you'd probably remember me if you saw me. My password was "jackass" established way before the show. Thanks for the comment man. Good to hear from you.

    Cheers
  • "unkle" Daniel · 1 year ago
    hey!
    how's it going "jackass", yeah i remember you!
    just i thought i'd share some good news with you.
    check out the updates at:
    http://www.500wattbrain.blogspot.com/
    so...what are you up to these days? what exactly is a "social media strategist"? do you know how i can get in touch with katya? i am trying to connect with as many old friends, customers and co-workers as possible. big party coming soon and everyone is invited! thanks!
    -daniel