People are upset about what just replaced a busy Tim Hortons in Ontario
If you've ever visited Niagara Falls, Ontario's most popular tourist destination, then you might remember the former Tim Hortons location on Clifton Hill as a welcome pit stop for a delicious French vanilla or Iced Capp.
Of course, there was an outpour of disappointment when the popular location closed earlier this year. That dismay, though, soon gave way to curiosity, with tourists and locals alike wondering what would take over the once-overcrowded coffee shop.
Well, now we have an answer. Gizmos Wax Hands, a gift shop where visitors can create their very own wax hands, has officially taken over the former Tim Hortons space.
And how does the community feel about it? It's safe to say opinions are mixed.
While another gift shop among the many already lining the busy downtown area may seem fitting, few expected yet another of this type of attraction to quietly move into one of the street's most prominent storefronts.
Following the opening of Gizmos Wax Hands, many have taken to social media to share their thoughts.
One Facebook user seemed to ask what was on a lot of people's minds. "So a gift shop next to a gift shop?" they commented on a reel shared on Clifton Hill's official Facebook page.
Comments under Clifton Hill's Instagram post range from excitement about the new addition to outright frustration.
"Another wax hands place? That's kinda disappointing tbh. The Tim Hortons was so big; so much potential for something new and exciting, not something they already had forever," one user wrote, referring to the make-your-own wax hand experience already offered up the street at Ripley's Wax Zone.
Another Instagram reel announcing the opening has attracted similar reactions.
"What a terrible replacement! I hope Tim Hortons opens up in the first storefront that opens on Clifton Hill!" a user exclaimed. While another wrote, "Something different would have been nice."
But it's not only disappointment circulating online.
Some people are genuinely excited about the addition, with comments like, "OMG OMG OMG I'VE BEEN WAITTINNNGGG SOOOO LONG FOR THIS TO COME BACK!!!! Yayyyyy!!!!!" popping up.
At Gizmos Wax Hands, shoppers can also fill their baskets with souvenirs like Niagara Falls hoodies and crewnecks, caps, mugs, and other Falls-themed memorabilia.
The former Tim Hortons, which silently shuttered its doors in January 2026, had been operating in the same location for over two decades. It became a go-to for tourists seeking a taste of classic Canadian cafe treats while touring Niagara Falls.
It's no secret that Clifton Hill has long been known for its wax hand attractions, where visitors can create a keepsake to remember their trip to Niagara Falls. But is the arrival of Gizmos Wax Hands simply an overkill in the area that already caters to that niche?
Only time will tell.
For now, those interested in getting their very own wax hands made can visit the store, where adults can make their own for $39.95.
Gizmos Wax Hands is located at 4960 Clifton Hill in Niagara Falls, Ont.
Clifton Hill
