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Tthat long weekend you've been waiting for since Good Friday back in March is almost over. Most call this the unofficial start of summer, although
the weather might say otherwise. But if you're not using up precious and expensive gas to head to a chilly cottage country, you might want to stock up on supplies the first two days. Most of us will be out of luck on Monday.
Here's what's open and closed for the holiday.
Closed Monday
Most stores will be out of business for the day. But there are some exceptions.
Here's the general list of where you won't be able to go:
- Malls,
- Most grocery stores and supermarkets,
- L.C.B.O./Beer stores,
- Government offices,
- Banks,
- Libraries,
- No mail delivery,
- T.T.C. and GO on holiday schedule.
Open on the holiday
Yonge St. is a designated tourist area, and businesses there are allowed to open on a stat. So if you want to do any shopping in the city, you'll have to head downtown. The area runs from Richmond St. north to Grosvenor and from Bay to just east of Yonge, and includes the Eaton Centre.
The Vaughan Mills Shopping Centre is also open on Monday. You can shop till they stop from 10am-6pm.
In addition to all this, some Sears stores are holding a kind of bizarre Monday sale - but you won't be able to go. The chain intends to have some of its outlets open, but as an 'invitation only' event for selected customers, relatives and friends.
A spokesperson insists they're not breaking the law by doing it, since only those specifically asked will be allowed in. It's supposed to be part of a charity fundraising event, but competitors are eyeing the idea warily and it's not clear yet what the government's response might be.
Fines for breaking the law run between $500 and $50,000.
Supermarket Garden Centres
Victoria Day is also the unofficial start of the gardening season for many, despite the cooler than normal conditions. Some garden stores stay open during the holiday, but most of those attached to supermarkets will be closed.
Dominion/A&P/Loeb tell
CityNews.ca that they will have "many" of their grocery stores open on Monday in selected areas, and that those in business on the day will also have their gardening spots going, too. Check your local branch to see if it's one of them.
But competitors Loblaws, Valu-Mart and Sobeys are all shut down.
Wal-Mart won't open its stores on the Monday, but many of its gardening centres will be in full flower from 7am-5pm.
Fireworks Displays
It's the first late light show of the year and you'll have to head to some far flung areas of the city to see any of the big ones. There's only one freebie and it's going to be in a cool place, so take something warm to wear.
Ashbridges Bay:
The city's annual show will be held rain or shine starting at around 9:45pm on Monday. The spot is located on Lake Shore Boulevard East at the foot of Coxwell Avenue. Unlike the others on this list, this one is free.
Ontario Place:
So nice, they're doing it twice. There will be two shows, one was held on Sunday night, the other as the sun sets on your holiday Monday. Monday's show starts at 9:30pm weather permitting but you have to pay to get in to the park.