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Podcast: Lime Ridge Mall has been sold. Now what?

Podcast: Lime Ridge Mall has been sold. Now what?

More than a few people in town were caught off guard by the
sale of Lime Ridge Mall
the other day. The fact it was sold was interesting, but it's more than that. The news got people thinking about the place and its future.
There's the mall itself. What changes might come with today's commercial climate? There had been plans for a massive development with condos and other refreshes to the mall under the previous ownership that could've helped with the city's housing crisis.
What happens
to those ideas now?
Of course, people can purchase stuff plenty of places, not just here. And there are condos elsewhere. So why does this really matter? The answer is that the sprawling property isn't just a bunch of stores. It's also Hamilton's largest taxpayer, which makes it rather important for the city.
Retail analyst Bruce Winder and Ward 7 Coun. Esther Pauls chime in on what might be to come.
This podcast explores issues about the city and stories of interest to those who call it home. Every week, Spectator columnist Scott Radley will dive into hot-button topics with newsmakers, explore stories with the reporters covering them, and chat with those who add to the fabric of this community.
Whether it's serious or lighthearted, Placeline Hamilton will keep you informed and engaged.
Listeners can expect new episodes every Wednesday. Follow or subscribe at
Apple Podcasts
,
Spotify
, Amazon Music or wherever your favourite podcasts are found.
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Florence Kasoian worked at Hamilton's flagship Tim Hortons for nearly 45 years
Florence Kasoian worked at Hamilton's flagship Tim Hortons for nearly 45 years

Hamilton Spectator

time2 days ago

  • Hamilton Spectator

Florence Kasoian worked at Hamilton's flagship Tim Hortons for nearly 45 years

Florence Kasoian was just looking for a job when she came to work at the Tim Hortons store at Ottawa Street North and Dunsmure Road in 1975. She wound up becoming an institution at the business — the first location in the doughnut-and-coffee empire — and spent more than four decades working there, becoming known for her top-notch customer service and hugs. Kasoian — who died June 5 at age 96 — had two ceremonies marking her time at the store, in 2015 and in March 2019 at Tim Hortons Field to also mark her 90th birthday. She started at the store on Sept. 9, 1975. 'I hadn't worked for 20 years and I figured, well, why shouldn't I,' Kasoian told Spectator columnist Paul Wilson in a 1990 Cable 14 video about the opening of the store at 65 Ottawa St. N. on May 17, 1964 by hockey player Tim Hortons and former Hamilton policeman Ron Joyce. 'My son saw an ad in the paper and he said, 'Come on, mom, let's go.'' Florence Kasoian, who died June 5, was a beloved fixture at the Tim Hortons on Ottawa Street. Here, she's celebrating 40 years at the flagship store in 2015. The pandemic ended her time at the store in March 2020, but her son Michael said his mom would have 'stayed right until the end.' He said it wasn't until the last week of her life she began to fail. 'She got pneumonia and respiratory failure, but her mind was still sharp,' said the retired Halton school board principal. 'I thought she was going to live well over 100.' The old store was torn down in 2014 and replaced with a new two-storey store that included a museum. It opened in January 2015. A 1970s uniform worn by Florence (whose real name is Flavia) was hung in the museum. The store is undergoing renovations and is expected to reopen in a couple of weeks without the museum. Tim Hortons said in a statement there will be a main-floor collection of memorabilia that pays tribute to the history and importance of the location. Kasoian got to know the regulars, and told The Spectator in 1996 she knew nine times out of 10 what each customer took in their coffee or what kind of doughnut they liked. Her then-boss, Brenda Healy, said Florence was always chipper, even when she was limping around one time on a broken toe. 'When you're friendly to your customers and you know what they take in their coffee, well, it makes them feel important,' Kasoian told The Spectator. 'It makes them go from here feeling better.' Florence Kasoian spent four decades working at the original location of Tim Hortons on Ottawa Street. Her son said his mom was always 'kind and outgoing. She thought of other people before herself.' He said more than 150 people attended her visitation and funeral, including former co-workers and customers. Kasoian requested Perry Como for her funeral and the family played 'Catch a Falling Star.' Kasoian was on hugging terms with quite a few customers. One example was a customer who had been in a serious car accident in 1994. After three months in hospital, he began taking physiotherapy at a nearby clinic. He'd come in every day in a bad mood. Florence Kasoian in 2019 celebrating her 90th birthday at a Tiger-Cats game. 'His name is Paul and I knew he was feeling blue,' Kasoian said. 'So I asked him, 'Would it be OK if I hugged you?' I knew his back hurt so I just gave him a gentle hug, but he hugged me back hard.' 'Then he kept coming in everyday. Even though we'd have a lineup to the door, he'd wait for me to get his coffee and give him a hug.' Kasoian was born in Hamilton on March 17, 1929. Her father James Marino died shortly after she was born, and her mother Paola raised her, plus a sister and three brothers. After Kasoian graduated from elementary school, her son said she went to work at a cotton mill. She quit work in about 1955 to raise her children and look after a relative. Kasoian is survived by her son Michael, daughter Marguerite (Margo), five grandchildren and six great-grandchildren. She was predeceased by her husband Richard, who died in 1986 at age 55. Error! Sorry, there was an error processing your request. There was a problem with the recaptcha. Please try again. You may unsubscribe at any time. By signing up, you agree to our terms of use and privacy policy . This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google privacy policy and terms of service apply. Want more of the latest from us? Sign up for more at our newsletter page .

This grocery store chain is opening a new location on the Hamilton Mountain
This grocery store chain is opening a new location on the Hamilton Mountain

Hamilton Spectator

time25-06-2025

  • Hamilton Spectator

This grocery store chain is opening a new location on the Hamilton Mountain

The Hamilton Mountain is getting a new grocery store. Scott's No Frills will open at 970 Upper Wentworth St., on June 26 — right across the road from Lime Ridge Mall, Loblaw Companies Ltd. confirmed to The Spectator in an email. The store, which will span roughly 15,000 square feet, will carry fresh produce, meat, frozen goods, multicultural products and Canadian items, a statement from the grocery chain said. The franchisee of the location, Scott Herbert, began working for No Frills — a chain of discount supermarkets under the Loblaw banner — more than a decade ago. He originally started as a dairy clerk, read the statement. Herbert moved up in the company and held managerial roles such as produce manager and later was an associate manager. He began the journey of becoming a franchisee last year, according to Loblaw. Loblaw noted the opening of the store has created 60 new jobs for the community. To mark the opening, Herbert is donating $1,500 to the Neighbour to Neighbour Centre. To celebrate the grand opening, the store will host giveaways for the first 100 customers each day from June 26 to 29. And starting on July 8, customers will be able to utilize delivery options and PC Express pickup. The store will be open from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m., daily. The opening of the store marks a new grocery offering for the area, which already has a Fortinos on Mall Road as well as M&M Food Market and Eastern Food Market on Upper Wentworth. There are several other No Frills locations across Hamilton.

Podcast: Lime Ridge Mall has been sold. Now what?
Podcast: Lime Ridge Mall has been sold. Now what?

Hamilton Spectator

time25-06-2025

  • Hamilton Spectator

Podcast: Lime Ridge Mall has been sold. Now what?

More than a few people in town were caught off guard by the sale of Lime Ridge Mall the other day. The fact it was sold was interesting, but it's more than that. The news got people thinking about the place and its future. There's the mall itself. What changes might come with today's commercial climate? There had been plans for a massive development with condos and other refreshes to the mall under the previous ownership that could've helped with the city's housing crisis. What happens to those ideas now? Of course, people can purchase stuff plenty of places, not just here. And there are condos elsewhere. So why does this really matter? The answer is that the sprawling property isn't just a bunch of stores. It's also Hamilton's largest taxpayer, which makes it rather important for the city. Retail analyst Bruce Winder and Ward 7 Coun. Esther Pauls chime in on what might be to come. This podcast explores issues about the city and stories of interest to those who call it home. Every week, Spectator columnist Scott Radley will dive into hot-button topics with newsmakers, explore stories with the reporters covering them, and chat with those who add to the fabric of this community. Whether it's serious or lighthearted, Placeline Hamilton will keep you informed and engaged. Listeners can expect new episodes every Wednesday. Follow or subscribe at Apple Podcasts , Spotify , Amazon Music or wherever your favourite podcasts are found.

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