Shawarma restaurant closes prominent Toronto location after 30 years
A popular Toronto spot for late-night bites and vegetarian cuisine has shut down their most notable location after 30 years.
Upon opening the doors of its first-ever Toronto location back in 1995, the Annex's Ghazale quickly earned itself a reputation for being a cheap-and-cheerful hole-in-the-wall whose food was just plain good.
As an added bonus, they also specialized in a wide variety of vegetarian offerings, which, though the city is now brimming with various plant-based eateries today, was, at the time, a revelation for vegetarians in need of a Middle Eastern food fix.
Perhaps even some much-needed carbs after a night at nearby Pauper's or Dance Palace. Nothing soaks up booze quite like falafel, after all.
In the years to follow, the word got out about Ghazale, and the business expanded to additional locations, taking on neighbourhoods like Little Italy and Etobicoke, spreading the gospel (as a manner of speech)
It's the end of an era as far as Ghazale's Annex tenure goes, though, as the restaurant recently took to Instagram to confirm that they'll soon be closing their original location, penning a lengthy notice in the caption that spills over into a series of comments.
"It is with deep emotion and a heavy heart that we announce the closure of Ghazale Restaurant, Annex location, after 30 years of operation," the caption of the post reads. "It is the end of the road for us."
The restaurant's team explains that, in spite of its lengthy tenancy in the location, the unit is set to be reabsorbed by the Hot Docs Cinema to which it's attatched in service of "future plans."
What, exactly, those plans are is unclear at present, though it more than likely has something to do with the fact that the cinema itself is currently up for sale, its future at the whim of potential buyers.
"Though the doors of Ghazale on Bloor will close, the connections we’ve made, the lessons we’ve learned, and the love we’ve shared will always be a part of us," they go on to write.
It's not all bad news for frequenters of Ghazale's Annex location, though; they've got another location just a few blocks east on Bloor at 4 Walmer, as well as spots on Lake Shore and College.
Ghazale was formerly located at the Hot Docs Ted Rogers Cinema, 504 Bloor West and closed at the end of January.
Fareen Karim
