Global Village Backpackers, Toronto's popular hostel (in business since 1997) at the corner of King and Spadina, abruptly announced to staff yesterday they are closing. We're told the decision was made by the owner of the business and management were informed by phone. Current guests have been given to Monday to find alternate accommodations.

The news was greeted with shock and disappointment among the community of former and current (now out of work) employees and officially became public today around noon with postings to the hostel's Twitter and Facebook page. No reason was given except that it's "due to extreme unforeseen circumstances." We reached out to management (who also lost their jobs) for more information but were told any additional details would be unavailable until Monday.

Condolences and remembrances of good times past reined in on Twitter and Facebook as well as at least one personal blog. The adjacent bar, the Departure Lounge, is also closing while the sister Kensington Hostel continues to remain operational under new ownership. It's unclear what will happen to Moose Travel Network which operated out of the building for many years.

The owners of Global Village do not own the property so any decision what to do with the building will be made by the landlord.