Do you remember the ritual of music acquisition? Back in the day, finding new sounds meant trekking to a record store to buy an album—a physical artifact that tied us to a specific era. Now, while streaming dominates our lives, there is a fascinating journey waiting for those who want to explore how these foundational retail institutions shaped Toronto’s cultural identity.
A unique opportunity has been set up to take listeners on a nostalgic trip through this history of consumption. Toronto historian Jeremy Hopkin is joining forces with Cam Gordon, the author of Track Changes: The Origin Story of Canadian Music on the Internet (1990-2010), to lead a special walking tour focused entirely on the rise and fall of iconic retail giants.
The tour will trace the remarkable trajectory of institutions like Sam the Record Man, HMV, and the World’s Biggest Bookstore, examining how these spaces served as more than just retailers—they were crucial shapers of Toronto’s cultural landscape.
This engaging experience is scheduled for this Wednesday, July 8, running from 7 to 8 p.m.
Beyond the physical history of music and books, the tour also delves into the intersection of physical culture and digital ephemera. Cam Gordon, who also maintains an Instagram presence documenting early internet music artifacts through his account @trackchangesca, brings a unique perspective on how these cultural shifts played out in the transition from analog to digital.
The walking tour offers a compelling look at the economic and cultural forces that drove Toronto’s retail evolution, proving that the objects we buy are inextricably linked to the stories we tell about ourselves and our city. It is an invitation to step back and appreciate the legacy embedded in the places we once called home.
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Credit: Exclaim!
