Residents of one condo building in Toronto will soon be living más (or needing más Pepto Bismol), as Taco Bell gears up to open a new location at the foot of their building.
But here's the thing: the building's retail units have already been almost entirely taken over by fast food chains.
Taco Bell occupies a similar role in my life as that of a toxic ex. I stay away as much as I can, fully aware of the (gastrointestinal, in this case) repercussions that'll befall me if I reach back out, but in certain moments of weakness —usually after one too many tequila sodas— I fall back into its clutches.
And when it's good, god, it's so good.
That's why, upon seeing the sunset-hued sign announcing a new location is "coming soon," to the Rise Condominiums at 501 St. Clair W., dangerously close to my own stomping grounds, my immediate reaction was a mix of unbridled excitement and the cold prickle of warning that a renewed level of self-control will soon be required of me.
Still, it's happening, and I imagine fast food fiends who frequent the Bathurst and St. Clair area will be similarly excited, but it's not exactly like they've been wanting for options.
As it stands, two of the building's retail spaces are already occupied by Popeyes and A&W, meaning that, with Taco Bell on the way, fast food chains will make up the majority of retailers in the building.
On the other side of the intersection, Harvey's, Subway and Osmow's occupy the southwest corner. If things keep moving in the same direction, the intersection of Bathurst and St. Clair West will be a veritable fast-food fjord. Proceed with caution, I guess.
If you want to boost a smaller, locally-owned business in the area, it's still possible, but you'll have to set your sights a little bit further. The Wychwood Pub, for example, is just west of Harvey's on St. Clair, while the intersection of St. Clair and Vaughan is veritably replete with smaller local options.
At the time of publication, Taco Bell has not returned blogTO's request for information on the restaurant's opening date.
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