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Civic Pharmacy sign could soon shine again, community association says

Trevor Pritchard, CBC News
Feb 20, 2018

It once spun and shone at the intersection of Carling and Holland avenues.

Now, after falling into disrepair — and facing potential destruction— the blocky, pastel-coloured Civic Pharmacy sign could soon have a new life, thanks to the efforts of the local community association.

“It’s probably one of the most prominent features of the neighbourhood,” said Gregg Kricorissian, who sits on the Civic Hospital Neighbourhood Association’s heritage committee.

“I’ve lived here for almost 36 years, and I see it every day.”

The sign has stood at Carling and Holland ever since the former pharmacy opened there in 1960.

However, more than a year ago, the building was put up for sale — and the community association, Kricorissian said, began to worry about the fate of the sign, which had already begun to shed pieces of metal.

Eventually, Kricorissian said, they were able to track down the new owner and make their pitch for saving it.

“I think we sort of attached a value to it. And as a result, they decided to keep the sign as a permanent part of the building and incorporate it with the renovation,” he said.

“And in the end, we ended up saving the sign.”

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