CTV.ca News Staff The businessman known as 'Honest Ed', who entertained Toronto for decades with crazy slogans at his legendary discount department store, has died at the age of 92. A statement from the family says he died early Wednesday at St. Michael's Hospital in Toronto. He was best known for his world-famous "Honest Ed's" bargain store on the corner of Bloor and Bathurst streets. The store featured discount prices and funny slogans like: * 'Welcome, don't faint at our low prices, there's no place to lie down.' * 'We don't offer service. We have a slogan--serve yourself and save a lot of money.' Mirvish played a crucial role in expanding Toronto's entertainment scene. In 1963, Mirvish saved the Royal Alexandra Theatre in Toronto from demolition, spending $500,000 on restoring it. He was a kind man. Got rich but never became greedy. He's probably most well known for giving out free turkeys at christmas to those less fortunate and other charity participation.
it is sad but he was 92. he lived a nice long life. i watched him on the news today and the news dedicated like 10 minutes of airing time to him. went on and on about how great of a philanthropist he was. they aired this asian lady that was now in her late 40s and she said how she worried she would lose her job there because of her lack of english and he promised her she would always have a job there even after his death. anyone willing to help out my ppl is cool in my book. hehe. when i die i hope i am remembered as a kind person with a big heart. i was just in that neighbourhood of the store not too long ago (had lunch at koreantown which is down the street from there).
He sounds like such a great guy, it's so sad -down But at least he lived a long and accomplished life.
He once said that if he died, he'd like his body be cremated, then the ashes be put into a time class, and somebody at his store can keep turning it upside down so the customers can still say "Oh, Ed is still running"...
