Description: 

592 Queen Street West is a 3-storey commercial building with upstairs residential space(s) located on the north side of Queen Street West between Bathurst Street and Markham Street in Toronto.  The extant building was likely constructed in 1888/1889 and replaced an earlier and smaller building that was on the site (please see below for further details).

The Queen Street West elevation of 592 Queen Street West contains intricate and ornate carved reliefs on the first (ground) and third floors. However, the second floor is plainer in design. Further research is required to determine if this was original to the structure and/or whether the second floor was altered over time. 

Former addresses of 592 Queen Street West include 546 Queen Street West and 562 Queen Street West. The present-day address - 592 Queen Street West - has been used since 1890.

Prior to 1889, a book and stationery shop was based on the site. Fire Insurance Plans from 1880 and 1884 indicate this earlier building was of a wooden construction and smaller than the extant building at 592 Queen Street West. 

First Occupant and Use: 

The extant building at 592 Queen Street West - likely constructed in 1888/1889 -  was first home to J. P. Kearsey, which was based there from 1889 until 1905. J. P. Kearsey was a fruit and grocery business operated by John P. Kearsey (c. 1837/1847-1916) and Sarah Ann Kearsey (c. 1845-1923).

J. P. Kearsey was founded in 1873 and was the oldest established fruit store in the West End of Toronto by the mid-1880s. Prior to 1889, J. P. Kearsey was based several buildings further west on the same block of Queen Street West. 

M. G. Bixby & Company provide the following description of J. P. Kearsey in Industries of Canada: Historical and Commercial Sketches of Toronto and Environs (1886): 

"J. P. Kearsey: Dealer in Fruit, Fish, Game, etc. No. 556 Queen Street West – Prominent as the oldest established fruit store in the West End. Mr. John P. Kearsey, the present popular proprietor, first opened in the year 1873, and during the period that has elapsed since that date has made it a favourite resort for the families residing in this section of the city. This stand is much more than a fruit store, and the stock here exposed for sale embraces canned and preserved goods of every description. Crosse & Blackwell’s goods, jellies and marmalades, flowers, vegetables and oysters in season, cured fish and meats, and a great variety of similar goods which lack of space forbids us itemizing. These are all of the very best quality, and are sold at the lowest prices. Mr. Kearsey keeps every portion of his stock complete and fresh, replenishes it direct from first hands, and in the many years he has been carrying on this business has built up a liberal and permanent trade. Giving close personal attention to his business, always courteous and obliging, he makes the wants of his customer a constant study, and knows exactly how to supply them in the most satisfactory manner. Born in Hampshire, England, in the year 1837, he came to Toronto in 1870, and since opening this store has enjoyed a continuous prosperity." - page 104.

Kearsey's move to 592 Queen Street West in about 1889 was likely a result of his successful business facilitating and/or requiring an expanded premises. Further research is required to determine if Kearsey specifically commissioned the construction of the extant building at 592 Queen Street West. 

Interestingly, the 1891 Census of Canada provides John P. Kearsey's date of birth as 1847 instead of 1837.   

John P. Kearsey was married to Sarah Ann Kearsey (born 1845/1846 in Ontario). The Kearseys had 2 children: John Kearsey (born 1875) and Mary Kearsey (born 1877). John P. Kearsey died in 1916 of atherosclerosis. 

The City of Toronto Directories indicate that by 1900, Sarah Ann Kearsey had taken over operations of the business.  

Following the death of John P. Kearsey in 1916, the Kearsey family moved to Alberta. Sarah Ann Kearsey died in Edmonton in 1923. 

Later Occupants and Uses:  

1906 to post-1969: Between 1906 and post-1969, a grocery store known as Brown Brothers (later known as Brown's Grocery Store) was based at 592 Queen Street West. Nicholas Brown - one of the owners of the business - also lived on site during the early 20th century. By 1940, the dental practice of Dr. Charles A. Stewart and residence of Charles Armstrong were based above Brown's Grocery Store. Dr. Stewart's dental practice had moved elsewhere by 1950. By 1960, the name had reverted from Brown's Grocery Store back to Brown Brothers'. It is probable that the grocery store was an intergenerational family-run business. Brown Brothers was still in business at 592 Queen Street West as of 1969 and further research is required to discern when precisely the business moved and/or closed.

Late 1990s and to mid-to-late 2000s: During the late 1990s through mid-to-late 2000s, 592 Queen Street West was home to Q Bar & Restaurant. Q Bar and Restaurant appears to have closed in 2008. 

Late 2000s through mid-2010s: During this period, 592 Queen Street West housed several different restaurants. Restaurants based here during this period include: Tota Lounge between 2008 and 2014; Local Resto Lounge between 2016 and 2017; and Focal Resto Lounge in 2017.

Circa. 2017-2018: In 2017-2018, 592 Queen Street West was home to Hocus Pocus Witchery & Lounge - an occult spirituality shop and witchcraft-themed cocktail bar and café. BlogTO reported in December 2017 that Hocus Pocus had an on staff clairvoyant and its own coven. 

Present Day (2021): 592 Queen Street West is presently home to Frisaca - a Mexican restaurant - on the ground floor with upstairs residential spaces.  During the summer of 2021, the Members Only Waffle House was also based out of Frisaca. The Members Only Waffle House became a viral sensation on social media due to their phallic-themed desserts.