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- 376 College Street
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Leon Koffler was born in Romania. He moved to Canada and settled in the Toronto area at the age of fifteen with his mother and his three sisters. He graduated from the Ontario College of Pharmacy in 1921, and two years later, opened his first pharmacy at 376 College Street. Leon lived in the apartment above his store with his wife Tiana [née. Reinhorn] and their son Murray.
- Address
- 376 College Street
- Time Period
- 1923
- Scope Note
- Leon Koffler was born in Romania. He moved to Canada and settled in the Toronto area at the age of fifteen with his mother and his three sisters. He graduated from the Ontario College of Pharmacy in 1921, and two years later, opened his first pharmacy at 376 College Street. Leon lived in the apartment above his store with his wife Tiana [née. Reinhorn] and their son Murray.
- Category
- Retail store
- Source
- Landmarks
![Murray Koffler with his Aunt Anne outside his father's College Street Store, [ca. 1927]. Ontario Jewish Archives, Blankenstein Family Heritage Centre, fonds 37, series 9, item 1.|Murray Bernard Koffler was born in a four-room flat over his father's drugstore on College Street on January 22, 1924. His parents' names were Leon and Tiana [née Reinhorn] Koffler. Murray married Marvelle Seligman and they had five children named: Leon, Theo, Tom, Adam and Tiana.|Following in his father's footsteps, Murray was educated as a pharmacist and eventually took over the family drugstore when he was twenty-two years old. After making some profitable real-estate investments, he helped to co-found the Four Seasons Hotel chain, and created the first self-serve pharmacy in Canada. His entrepreneurial talents led the way to the creation of the giant pharmacy franchise, Shoppers Drug Mart.|A world renowned philanthropist, Murray Koffler’s donations and commitments have helped fund the creation of the Koffler Centre of the Arts, the Koffler Institute of Pharmacy Management, the Canadian Council for Native Business, the Council on Drug Abuse, and, as well, he has also held positions on numerous boards and organizations. His tireless efforts and achievements have been recognized with many awards including becoming a member of the Order of Canada in 1977.](/media/Digital Assets/37-Gilbert/37-S9-Item-1.jpg?maxheight=1000&maxwidth=1000&watermark=wmk)
- Address
- 225 Richmond Street West
- Source
- Landmarks
The Gelber Brothers, Louis and Moses, were born in what is now Austria in the late nineteenth century. Together they founded the Imperial Clothing Company, which later became Gelber Brothers Woolens. Their head office was designed by Benjamin Brown and was located in the Gelber Building at 217-225 Richmond Street West. Although selling woolens was their main business, the brothers had other investments, including ownership of a service station at Simcoe and Richmond and a public garage at 287 Spadina Avenue.
- Address
- 225 Richmond Street West
- Time Period
- 1923-present
- Scope Note
- The Gelber Brothers, Louis and Moses, were born in what is now Austria in the late nineteenth century. Together they founded the Imperial Clothing Company, which later became Gelber Brothers Woolens. Their head office was designed by Benjamin Brown and was located in the Gelber Building at 217-225 Richmond Street West. Although selling woolens was their main business, the brothers had other investments, including ownership of a service station at Simcoe and Richmond and a public garage at 287 Spadina Avenue.
- History
- The Gelber Brothers were prominent members of the Toronto Jewish community. They were involved in many philanthropic and charitable activities and were active in many Jewish organizations.
- Category
- Architecture
- Manufacturer
- Source
- Landmarks
- Address
- 197/199 Spadina Avenue
- Source
- Landmarks
The Empire Clothing Company building was another fine example of commercial buildings designed by Benjamin Brown. The building was located at 197/199 Spadina Avenue at the corner of Phoebe Street and Spadina Avenue. Brown built the original and a later addition to the building.
- Address
- 197/199 Spadina Avenue
- Time Period
- 1923-present
- Scope Note
- The Empire Clothing Company building was another fine example of commercial buildings designed by Benjamin Brown. The building was located at 197/199 Spadina Avenue at the corner of Phoebe Street and Spadina Avenue. Brown built the original and a later addition to the building.
- History
- Mr. Abraham M. Schiffer and Mr. William Leibel were the co-owners of Empire Clothing Co. and Cornell Tailored Clothing Ltd. The Empire Clothing Company Building served as the headquarters for both businesses. The Empire Clothing Company manufactured men's clothing and sold it wholesale. Leibel and Schiffer were also close neighbours, living only a few houses apart. William Leibel was a prominent member of the Toronto Jewish community. He was involved in many philanthropic and charitable activities and was active in many Jewish organizations, particularly in the area of Jewish education.
- Category
- Architecture
- Manufacturer
- Source
- Landmarks
