On the same day the city's beloved Pages Books & Magazines closed, an indie in the east end made its last sale. Yesterday, fans of TYPE Books on the Danforth were greeted with papered windows and a sign on the front door announcing its 1+ year run in the neighbourhood had ended.

Sadly, it's not that surprising a development. While the first two TYPE stores on Queen West and Spadina seem to get a steady stream of visitors, the third branch on the Danforth was often empty. I last bought a book there on December 24th (usually a busy day for last minute shoppers) and I was the only one in the store for about 20 minutes.

Greenavi is no more. Papered windows and a sign posted to the front door have sealed the deal for the once popular cafe on Queen West that became a good neighbourhood pit stop for some organic snacks and free WiFi. But with rents between Spadina and Bathurst not getting any lower; and plenty of local competition from the major chains and indie darlings like Tequila Bookworm the cafe just couldn't make it.

Many might remember this isn't the first time Greenavi owner Ellen Soyoung Lee couldn't make a cafe fly in this space. Her previous incarnation Just Us! lacked personality and felt too chain like. It didn't last long. The re-thought Greenavi was definitely a step up and was voted one of the best new cafes of 2008.

An Annex institution is no more. Mel's Montreal Delicatessen, a late night spot on Bloor both loved and reviled by residents of this city, has closed its doors. Or rather, had its doors locked by the landlord after reportedly failing to pay rent that was months in arrears. Deli fans will remember Mel's came in 5th in our poll of the best delis in Toronto and readers let us have it. Margaret commented that Mel's "was the worst experience at a deli/restaurant/service place I have ever been involved in." Others gave it a pass for their smoked meat poutine.

The sad, but perhaps inevitable, news came today that Pages, one of Toronto's most-loved bookstores, will indeed be closing its doors on August 31st. Efforts by owner Marc Glassman to maintain the viability of his business amid "skyrocketing rents" on Queen West have ultimately hit a brick wall in the form of lease-cycle that's finally run its course.

As previously reported, a six month extension worked out with Pinedale Properties in February was occasion for cautious hope, but the discrepancy between what Glassman can afford to pay and what Pinedale believes it can charge is simply too wide. A fixture for artists, intellectuals and book lovers coming on 30 years, the store will be sorely missed.

I caught up with Marc by phone earlier today to commiserate and ask about what he hopes the future might hold for him and his store.

Its death has been announced prematurely many times over the last few years, but it's finally over for Rotman's Hat Shop on Spadina. The yellow sun shades that protected the stock on display in the window are rolled up, and a single bowler hat sits beneath the sign announcing the clearance sale this weekend.

Shh...quick, need to fill a condo? Honours for the newest deadpool entry go to yet another shop likely crushed by the massive glut of prices in housing. Despite the Ontario government offering last week a new provincial tax break for homes under $400,000, that's not likely going to affect any business on the cusp of closing nor probably foster any sort of change in the mindset of older business owners pondering closing up and moving on.

Local furniture importer Rumah at 668 Queen Street West is pulling up roots after 30 years in Toronto under owner Judy Stevens.