In the early 20th century, downtown Yonge Street was dominated by prominant retailers operating from Victorian-era buildings, most notably the Eaton’s and Simpsons stores.

In the 1940’s Yonge Street transformed into a destination for music, neon lights and niche retail. The street became the heartbeat of Canada’s music scene for both live performances in venues such as Le Coq d’Or Tavern and Club Bluenote to the sale of vinyl records at Sam the Record Man and A+A Records.

During this period, the street took on a vibrant “pop” aesthetic, with flashing signs for theatres, arcades, and discount clothiers creating a 24 hour sensory experience.