Description:

1233-1237 Queen Street West, Toronto is a 2-storey commercial block located at the southwest corner of Gwynne Avenue and Queen Street West in the Parkdale neighbourhood of Toronto. 1233-1237 Queen Street West was constructed in 1886/1887 and is in the Italianate style.

1233-1237 Queen Street West contains three storefronts along its Queen Street West (north) elevation with upstairs residential units.

1233 Queen Street West has a former carriageway on its Gwynne Avenue (east) elevation. This carriageway has been converted into a window.  

The exterior brickwork of 1233-1237 Queen Street West has been painted white. Further research is required to discern what colour brickwork exists under the paint.

Prior to 1890, 1233-1237 Queen Street West was known as 37-41 Queen Street, Parkdale.  

In 1919/1920, a warehouse was constructed at the rear of 1233-1237 Queen Street West. This warehouse — accessed via Gwynne Avenue and Milky Way — is known as 1233R Queen Street West and was first home to the Commercial Clothes Press.

Early Occupants and Uses:

As of 1886/1887, the occupants of 1233-1237 Queen Street West were: 

1233 Queen Street West: David Boyd — grocer.

1235 Queen Street West: Richard Hayes — butcher.

1237 Queen Street West: Henry Baker — furniture.

David Boyd:

David Boyd operated a grocery shop at the southwest corner of Queen Street West and Gwynne Avenue between 1877/1878 and 1891/1892. Prior to the construction of the extant commercial block in 1886/1887, Boyd's shop occupied a smaller, wooden frame building situated at the corner. The grocery shop was known as D. Boyd and David Boyd. During the late 1870s and early 1880s, Boyd's shop was described as a general store which was later described as a grocery shop. Following 1892, David Boyd's shop may have relocated elsewhere in the Parkdale area.

David Boyd (1843-1913) was born in 1843. He was married to Jane (Jean) Boyd (1846-1918). The Boyds were from Ireland and immigrated to Canada in 1867. David and Jane Boyd had 12 children — 5 daughters and 7 sons — born between 1866 and 1891. The Boyd family were Methodist. 

The Boyds were early residents of Parkdale and settled in the area during the late 1870s. David Boyd appears in the 1881 Parkdale Register. 

The Boyd family lived above their shop. John Boyd (born 1866) and William Boyd (born 1869) — two of David Boyd's sons — worked as clerks at the grocery shop during the 1880s.  

By 1911, the Boyd family had moved to 49 Parkway Avenue near Dundas Street West and Roncesvalles Avenue. David Boyd died in Toronto in 1913. Jane (Jean) Boyd died in Toronto in 1918.

Richard Hayes:

Richard Hayes (1861-1934) was born in Toronto in 1861. During the 1880s, he was a butcher by trade. In 1886/1887, his butcher shop was based at 1235 Queen Street West. Hayes' shop had moved elsewhere by 1888. Hayes later became a building contractor. He died in Peel County, Ontario in 1934.

Henry Baker:

Henry Baker ran a furniture store from 1237 Queen Street West in 1886/1887. Unfortunately, no further information is known about Henry Baker at present. 

Later Occupants and Uses:

1889/1890:

1233 Queen Street West: David Boyd — grocer.

1235 Queen Street West: James T. Waters — butcher.

1237 Queen Street West: Samuel R. Hayball — barber. 

1894/1895:

1233 Queen Street West: Harris & Dowsley — restaurant.

1235 Queen Street West: M. W. Craig — plumber.

1237 Queen Street West: Thomas McBrien — barber.

1899/1900:

1233 Queen Street West: Miss M. Malloy — restaurant.

1235 Queen Street West: A. Macpherson — plumber; and Robert F. Craig.

1237 Queen Street West: Thomas McBrien — barber.

1909/1910:

1233 Queen Street West: Robert J. Shannon — plumber.

1235 Queen Street West: J. F. McLennan — upholstery.

1237 Queen Street West: The Parkdale Press and William T. Kelly.

The Parkdale Press:

The Parkdale Press was a printing house that was active in Parkdale from the late 19th through mid-20th century. The Parkdale Press published books, newspapers, and other typeset materials (such as business cards, etc.). 

1919/1920:

1233 Queen Street West: Robert J. Shannon — plumber; and Thomas Stewart.

1235 Queen Street West: John A. Burley — barber.

1235A Queen Street West: Arthur McKeand.

1237 Queen Street West: Max Friedman — tailor.

1237A Queen Street West: Malcolm Fleury.

1929/1930:

1233 Queen Street West: Vacant.

1235 Queen Street West: Commercial Clothes Press and William J. Mitchell.

1237 Queen Street West: Carl H. Jenkins — electrical supplies.

1237A Queen Street West: Mary A. Ager. 

For more information on the Commercial Clothes Press, please see the entry for 1233R Queen Street West. 

1939/1940:

1233 Queen Street West: Jack McCreath — barber; Anne Morton — beauty parlour; and Otto S. Kidder.

1235 Queen Street West: Vacant.

1235A Queen Street West: Cora Hunter.

1237 Queen Street West: Borland Wright — foreign stamps.

1237A Queen Street West: Mary A. Ager.

1949/1950:

1233 Queen Street West:  Anne Morton — beauty parlour.

1235 Queen Street West: Elm Grove Cigar Store. 

1235A Queen Street West: Cora Hunter.

1237 Queen Street West: T. Gaston — fruits and groceries.

1237A Queen Street West: Grace Ager.

1959/1960:

1233 Queen Street West: Aldor Beauty Salon.

1235 Queen Street West: Regan's Cigar Store and David Hand.

1235A Queen Street West: Robert Cairns.

1237 Queen Street West: Gwynne Grocery and Teddy Radiak.

1237A Queen Street West: Grace Ager.

1968/1969:

1233 Queen Street West: Aldor Beauty Salon.

1235 Queen Street West: Regan's Cigar Store.

1235A Queen Street West: Robert Cairns.

1237 Queen Street West: Vacant.

1237A Queen Street West: Russell Ager.

Present Day (December 2021):

1233 Queen Street West: Alexander Falafel (also known as Alexandria Falafel and Alexandra Falafel). 

1235 Queen Street West: Motel Bar.

1237 Queen Street West: Vacant and for lease, most recently home to Pretty Ugly Bar. 

(Research by Adam Wynne).