Good afternoon — Toronto’s been busy making headlines and breaking hearts. The Jays’ World Series dreams slipped away, but the city scored a record-breaking 50/50 jackpot (you won’t believe the amount) and a major boost for local businesses.

Meanwhile, a Toronto park is getting a massive bronze bear statue, the Santa Claus Parade is marching back after nearly being cancelled, and Zellers is staging yet another return.

Let’s get into it.

THE DIGEST: 7 Handpicked Stories

⚾ 2 outs away: Blue Jays closer Jeff Hoffman was just two outs from sealing Toronto’s first World Series since 1993 when he gave up a game-tying homer in Game 7. “I cost everybody in here a World Series ring,” Hoffman said afterward. Teammates rushed to defend him — George Springer called him “great all year,” while Ernie Clement said, “I’d go to war with Jeff Hoffman every day.”

🐻 A new bear landmark: Crosstown Park South opens this November at Eglinton and Don Mills, featuring a striking bronze bear statue by artist Dean Drever. The “larger-than-life” bear will overlook the park’s playgrounds, amphitheatre, and picnic spaces, symbolizing protection and community as part of the growing Crosstown-Eglinton development.

💰 Record-breaking jackpot: The Toronto Blue Jays’ 50/50 World Series draw has surpassed $23.7 million (as of 9:30am today), the largest in baseball history. The winner will not only score a life-changing payday but also receive a congratulatory call from Jays legend Joe Carter. Proceeds support the Jays Care Foundation.

🎶 Big changes: The iconic Budweiser Stage has officially been renamed the RBC Amphitheatre, marking the end of a 30-year beer-brand era. The venue will undergo a massive renovation from 2027 to 2029, transforming into a year-round concert space as part of the Ontario Place redevelopment.

🎃 Trick-or-treat: Just over half of Torontonians planned to take part in Halloween this year with 53% saying they’ll be trick-or-treating or handing out candy, according to a new Canada Pulse Insights poll. That’s slightly below Calgary (57%) and well behind Edmonton (63%), while Vancouver came in lowest at 48%.

💸 Spending boost: Toronto restaurants saw a 27% jump in transactions near the SkyDome and 10% citywide during Game 1 of the World Series, according to Moneris data. Average bills climbed 13% near the stadium. Even after losses, spending stayed up, with Game 2 showing a 20% lift nearby. Experts say the World Series has been a much-needed win for Toronto’s struggling hospitality industry.

🎅 Santa is back: Toronto’s Santa Claus Parade returns Nov. 23. After nearly being cancelled last year due to funding shortfalls, the Original Santa Claus Parade is back this Christmas season with over 1,200 marchers, floats, and live bands. A 2024 GoFundMe campaign raised $140,000, with public donations and federal support helping save the 120-year tradition. The parade begins at 12:30 p.m. at Christie Pits Park (750 Bloor St. W.).

MORE YOU NEED TO KNOW

🚧 Dead end: A section of the Etobicoke Creek Trail near Long Branch GO Station will close from Nov. 28 to at least Dec. 22 as Metrolinx continues major rehab work on the Etobicoke Creek Railway Bridge. The closure will block access under the bridge to make room for more crews and equipment, with possible extensions depending on progress.

🚉 New UP Express stop: The planned St. Clair–Old Weston Station will now join the UP Express line instead of GO Transit. Located at St. Clair Ave. W. and Old Weston Rd., the stop will serve trains between Union Station and Pearson Airport. The station is expected to open by 2031.

🛒 Zellers is back (again!): The beloved Canadian retailer is relaunching with “Zellers 3.0” featuring smaller stores and a focus on nostalgia-meets-modern shopping. The first opens tomorrow at Edmonton’s Londonderry Mall, with more to come by spring — including a possible Yorkdale location.

LOST TORONTO:
The Temple Building

Then: The Temple Building, completed in 1896 at Bay and Richmond Streets, was one of Toronto’s tallest and most iconic structures of its time. Designed in Romanesque Revival style by architect George W. Gouinlock, it served as the Canadian headquarters for the Independent Order of Foresters. With its red brick and sandstone facade, arched windows, and castle-like features, it stood 12 storeys tall—a marvel in the pre-skyscraper era.

Now: The building was demolished in 1970 to make way for modern development, erasing a once-dominant piece of Toronto’s early skyline.

THINGS TO DO IN TORONTO: THE ‘INSIDER’ SCOOP

Editor’s Pick! CHOCOLA-TO | The Toronto Chocolate Event - Come and experience an international map of chocolatiers and chocolate-related products while having fun tasting. An opportunity to discover, as well as choose festive gifts and unique items only on sale at CHOCOLA-TO.
November 15 | 11:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Location: Small Arms Inspection Building (SAIB), 1352 Lakeshore Rd E, Mississauga

Knifewear Fall Garage Sale - Back from Japan with some of the sharpest finds of the season, Knifewear’s Fall Garage Sale is your chance to score one-of-a-kind kitchen knives, rare collector blades, and unbeatable deals. Whether you're hunting for your very first Japanese knife or the perfect holiday gift, this sale is a must-visit for chefs, home cooks, and knife enthusiasts alike.
November 3 – 9 | 11:00 AM – 7:00 PM
Location: Knifewear Toronto, 517 Bloor St. West

Retail Retrospective Exhibition - Step into a visual time capsule of Toronto’s shopping history at the Retail Retrospective exhibition. Hosted at the TD Gallery inside the Toronto Reference Library, this exhibit explores the evolution of retail through one unexpectedly powerful medium: the shopping bag. Featuring a curated collection from the library’s Special Collections, it highlights how these everyday items serve as reflections of design, culture, and consumer identity through the decades.
October 11, 2025 – January 11, 2026 | 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Location: TD Gallery, Toronto Reference Library, 789 Yonge Street

Challah & Babka by Alissa Kondogiannis - Learn the secrets behind two iconic Jewish baked goods in this hands-on workshop led by Alissa Kondogiannis. Discover how a single, versatile dough can be transformed into a beautifully braided challah or a decadent, marbled chocolate babka. You’ll mix, knead, braid, fold, glaze—and of course, taste—your way through an afternoon of delicious tradition. Everyone leaves with an unbaked challah or babka ready for the oven at home.
November 9 | 12:00 PM – 2:30 PM
Location: The Depanneur, 192 Spadina Ave Suite 501

A Toronto Old Book and Paper Extravaganza - Calling all collectors, vintage lovers, and curious browsers—Toronto’s ultimate event for printed treasures returns this fall. The Old Book and Paper Show is a one-of-a-kind marketplace featuring 80 tables of antique books, vintage postcards, retro posters, concert ads, pulp fiction, comics, maps, photography, rare paperbacks, and more. Whether you're hunting for nostalgia or eye-catching decor, this analog wonderland is guaranteed to surprise and delight.
November 9, | 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Location: Japanese Canadian Cultural Centre, 6 Sakura Way

RECOS: Things you will love for under $40

💡 Lighting: The one light for night
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❄️ Cold: The one glove for cold walks
🦝 Toronto: The one book on Toronto history
🏡 Home: Home security for all
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VIDEO OF THE WEEK

This small park in the Annex is hiding a grand past… and how you can spot the remnants of Toronto’s ambitions.

Here is the link: Click here to watch

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