Decade in the dark

From: http://tinyurl.com/bc8364

TIM WHARNSBY
From Friday's Globe and Mail
February 12, 2009 at 9:31 PM EST

TORONTO — George Bigliardi admits he is at a crossroads in his professional life.

The popular Toronto restaurateur, who in 1977 opened Bigliardi's on Church Street, two blocks north of Maple Leaf Gardens, is considering his options on what to do with his once-trendy eating place.

Since the final Toronto Maple Leafs game was played at the Gardens, 10 years ago today, business at Bigliardi's has slowed.

Does he sell? Does he move to another location? Does he attempt to reinvent the steakhouse that was the place to be seen before and after Leafs games?

"It's really a sad thing," Bigliardi said. "I have loyal clients and was hoping they would still come here, but they don't come back that often. I guess I'm a little too far from the [Leafs' current home at the Air Canada Centre]."

Bigliardi has entertained many celebrities such as Frank Sinatra, Tony Curtis and Joe Torre at his place since he opened the doors, but there was nothing like the atmosphere at Bigliardi's on a game night.

Often customers would return to the restaurant after two periods, hand a ticket over to Bigliardi so he could run down and catch the third. Now, when Bigliardi either walks or drives by the Gardens at the northwest corner of Carlton and Church Streets, he is saddened to see the empty 78-year-old hockey shrine.

"It was a wonderful place," Bigliardi said. "It was like part of the family, but now that part of the family is gone."

Bigliardi said the odd player or hockey executive periodically visits and recently Detroit Red Wings senior vice-president Jim Devellano, a Toronto resident, brought the Stanley Cup to celebrate with his friends at the restaurant.

The Gardens saw the Leafs win Stanley Cups, Canada beat the Soviet Union in the 1972 Summit Series, Muhammad Ali box, Elvis Presley and the Beatles perform.

The Toronto Raptors played their final NBA game at the Gardens four days before the Leafs' swan song. After the Leafs' finale at the Gardens, the only remaining tenant was the Toronto Rock, but following their National Lacrosse League championship seasons in 1999 and 2000, the Rock also moved down the road to the ACC.

Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment didn't close on a deal to sell the Gardens building until July of 2004, for an estimated $13-million to supermarket operator Loblaw Cos. Ltd.

Prior to the sale there were different ideas floated on what to do with the historic venue. There were whispers about a condominium development or turning the sports arena into an entertainment complex. Building supply giant Home Depot was interested in snapping up the venue.

Ottawa Senators owner Eugene Melnyk wanted to buy the property for his junior team, the St. Michael's Majors of the Ontario Hockey League, and as a concert venue. But MLSE didn't want the competition and rejected Melnyk's proposal.

Loblaw was supposed to keep the Gardens' facade and build a flagship superstore at the site. But after announcing two years ago it was about to begin a cleanup that would be followed by a 22-month construction for the store, those plans have been shelved.

"Loblaw is still intending to develop Maple Leaf Gardens into a grocery store," Loblaw spokesperson David Primorac said. "Currently, our main focus is on improving our existing stores prior to building new stores in the greater Toronto area."

The building has been home to only a few happenings since the Rock moved out. Part of the movie Cinderella Man, about depression-era boxer James Braddock, was filmed there.

Last September, actor Matt Damon hosted a charity concert at MLG in support of OneXOne during the Toronto International Film Festival, and a few weeks later, part of the city's annual Nuit Blanche contemporary art celebration was held there.

The Last Game

Chicago Blackhawks enforcer Bob Probert scored the final NHL goal at Maple Leaf Gardens a decade ago, when he beat Toronto Maple Leafs goalie Curtis Joseph at 11 minutes 5 seconds of the third period. Here are the rosters from the finale the Hawks won 6-2:

Chicago

Goalies Jocelyn Thibault, Mark Fitzpatrick

Defence Brad Brown, Christian Laflamme, Doug Zmolek, Chris Chelios, Dave Manson, Jamie Allison

Forwards Tony Amonte, Nelson Emerson, Chad Kilger, Ed Olczyk, Ethan Moreau, Mark Janssens, Jean-Yves Leroux, Bob Probert, Todd White, Reid Simpson, Eric Dazé, Doug Gilmour

Toronto

Goalies Curtis Joseph, Glenn Healy

Defence Sylvain Côté, Jason Smith, Bryan Berard, Dmitri Yushkevich, Dany Markov, Alexander Karpovtsev

Forwards Derek King, Todd Warriner, Garry Valk, Steve Sullivan, Kris King, Mats Sundin, Fredrik Modin, Mike Johnson, Igor Korolev, Tie Domi, Steve Thomas, Sergei Berezin