When Anthropologie manager Stephanie Anstey arrived at work, at 78 Yorkville Ave., early on the morning of Jan. 22, she thought it would be another quiet Wednesday in Yorkville. But by 8:30, the street outside her store was a scene of chaos. Dozens of firefighters had descended on her street to extinguish a fire tearing through the heritage building at 84 Yorkville Ave. Firefighters reported that the fire had started on the second floor, but by 10 a.m. it had engulfed the entire building after catching the wooden frame of the structure, which was over 100 years old. The building has been home to Mediterranean bistro Sorrel, a hair salon and a spa. 

Anstey said that, although she was worried, there was no panic in the area. “With so many firefighters in the area, everything felt very in control.” Her main concern was for her employees’ safety and for the safety of everyone at 84 Yorkville Ave.

“We know that many people go to work early there; we know that the building has a resident. We were very concerned for our neighbours.”

Edward Smith, the owner of nearby boutique Anti-Hero, said that, besides road closures, the fire hardly affected business.

“The fire has been no worse for business than the weather,” he said, adding that, with a nearly -20°C forecast, many shoppers in the area would have stayed at home regardless of the excitement.

Although businesses at 84 Yorkville have yet to say publically how they will move forward in the wake of the accident, Anstey said, despite losing a day of business, the fire hasn’t really affected other merchants in the area. Although Anthropologie is located right next to the destroyed building, there was hardly any smoke or water damage at the store, she said, adding that firefighters were very careful to confine the blaze to the one lot. She also said the fire had one, surprising, silver lining.

“Everyone heard about it,” she said, “and many of our neighbours and customers have been calling, wanting to make sure we’re all OK. They’ve been tremendously supportive."