CLOSURE: Beloved community pub just closed down after over 35 years in Toronto
Published November 27, 2024 at 12:00 pm
A pub with over 35 years of history just closed its doors in Toronto.
Squirly’s has been a fixture on Queen West for well over three decades, but now their time on the lively strip has come to a close.
The pub was known not only as a great drinking hole, but also a place for comfort food like wings, fries, pierogies and spaghetti bolognese.
“All good things must come to an end,” reads a social media post from Squirly’s.
“After 36 years in business, it’s time for us to say goodbye. Thank you to our incredible staff and customers who made Squirly’s a beloved neighbourhood gathering place for so long. We owe our success to you.”
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A couple posts on Instagram about the closure have received over 250 likes and dozens of comments from people who were sad to see the bar go.
“It’s been really sad to see how we lost the small business,” wrote another local business, Monk Cafe.
“Queen West, she is on her last breaths,” someone commented. Another person wrote, “Oh no, bit by bit Queen is losing its edge, so sad to see it go. I used to frequent here in the early 90s.”
People also commented on Squirly’s Instagram posts with lots of great memories of the space.
“Had my first date with my partner 18 years ago,” wrote one person.
“From 1997 (when I moved here) until 2004, I was there at least twice a week. Always a special place in my heart – many memories with so many different and special people in my life. Serendipitously, I was just there the a couple of days ago paying respects to a friend who passed many years ago,” another person commented.
“I spent my entire 20s eating mini burritos and butternut squash soup, drinking endless beers..I remember the first time I set foot on the old patio (when you could smoke still I think), always a special place in my heart,” wrote someone else.
The announcement got lots of sentimental comments going on Facebook as well.
“OMG I’ve been going there since my second day in TO in 94. It’s been a while but I’ll try stopping by one last time,” one person commented.
“Can I start a GoFundMe to save this place?” asked another person. “I can’t afford to lose another icon of WQW. Make it a co-op for all of us who have been loyal patrons! I can dream right?”
Someone else commented, “NOOOO!! This was mine and my hubby’s date place many moons ago, and still is! Will have to stop by soon.”
The last night of operation for Squirly’s was Nov. 16.