[evandyk]

I do recall the shops in the skywalk but they closed up around 1995.

That would have been the time when I went to games. The World Series era.

 

[Jonny5]

I do recall the shops in the skywalk but they closed up around 1995.

There was a few takeout places including a pizza shop but I don't recall them being too busy.

By it's very nature the skywalk is a means to an end. It was designed as a covered walkway to Skydome, not as a retail mecca akin to the path.

It has always puzzled me they built it only 90% of the way there. Why go through all that work and then it's "good luck in the thunderstorm for last three minutes of your walk to the stadium!"
It doesn't even need to be fully enclosed. Even simply a covered walkway right up to the stadium, like they do at Exhibition Place and the Coliseum from the GO Station.

 

[Richard White]

It has always puzzled me they built it only 90% of the way there. Why go through all that work and then it's "good luck in the thunderstorm for last three minutes of your walk to the stadium!"
It doesn't even need to be fully enclosed. Even simply a covered walkway right up to the stadium, like they do at Exhibition Place and the Coliseum from the GO Station.

I wonder if it had anything to do with the CN Tower being in the way?

 

[Jonny5]

I wonder if it had anything to do with the CN Tower being in the way?

I wouldn't be surprised if it was some stupid land dispute as CN Rail did own the tower lands all the way through 1995 until the Federal Government got their hands on it, and as we all know well around here the railroads are notorious for not caring about anything that doesn't directly benefit them.

 

[WB62]

I'm reaching way back with memory here to like 35 years ago when it opened, I recall the Skywalk was lined with retail stores, cafes and take out food restaurants, all of which probably needed regular loading space for resupply and parking space for employees of those stores.

Thanks for the info! I’m a bit surprised retail hasn’t been viable in this area.

I image they had plans to try and market something to businesses, because 3 units were renovated around the time the UP Express opened, only one is currently occupied by a baggage company.

Just to avoid any confusion, there’s absolutely no way these truck entrances connect to the ACC truck tunnel or the MTCC, right?

 

[christiesplits]

I'm reaching way back with memory here to like 35 years ago when it opened, I recall the Skywalk was lined with retail stores, cafes and take out food restaurants, all of which probably needed regular loading space for resupply and parking space for employees of those stores.

I do recall the shops in the skywalk but they closed up around 1995.

There was a few takeout places including a pizza shop but I don't recall them being too busy.

By its very nature the skywalk is a means to an end. It was designed as a covered walkway to Skydome, not as a retail mecca akin to the path.

Yep, I recall a pizza place, a cookie shop (maybe Mr. Fields?) and one or two more souvenir stores.

 

[WB62]

I found a interesting photo of the Skywalk when the businesses were around!

 

[nightstreak]

I found a interesting photo of the Skywalk when the businesses were around!

View attachment 663680

With the densification of Simcoe corridor, it could make sense to revive this. TD Terrace to the north and Delta hotel to the south didn't exist at the time these businesses were there. Neither did UP Express which is a big driver of pedestrian traffic. Honestly, just connecting the end of the Skywalk to the Intercontinental and MTCC North would do it.

 

[fiendishlibrarian]

Yep, I recall a pizza place, a cookie shop (maybe Mr. Fields?) and one or two more souvenir stores.

I started going to ball games when it opened in '89 and I definitely remember at least one or two stores that sold sports memorabilia in that section of the Skywalk, especially baseball and hockey cards as that was the peak Upper Deck, O-Pee Chee/Topps era of card collecting.

 

[WB62]

Miniso opened in The Market (Unit 95 & 96):

 

[Natika33]

Miniso opened in The Market (Unit 95 & 96):

View attachment 665627

View attachment 665628

Would have preferred Oomomo, but apparently they're having difficulties.

 

[bearcat]

Would have preferred Oomomo, but apparently they're having difficulties.

What's happening with Oomomo???

 

[Natika33]

What's happening with Oomomo???

From Reddit:
Oomomo

 

[APTA-2048]

Someone fell under a train at Union Station today. Unfortunately, it does not appear that they survived. I don’t know any other details, but I can’t help but think how nervous I get walking along the narrow parts of the platform when the train is coming in. The narrow parts are a real problem.

 

[AlvinofDiaspar]

Someone fell under a train at Union Station today. Unfortunately, it does not appear that they survived. I don’t know any other details, but I can’t help but think how nervous I get walking along the narrow parts of the platform when the train is coming in. The narrow parts are a real problem.

Yeah it's reported on the GO Transit subreddit - the descriptions are somewhat disturbing, so proceed with caution.

Anyways, the narrow platforms is the bane of most issues with station and yet our decison-makers in their infinite wisdom chose to do nothing about it when rebuilding. This is at least partially on them.

AoD