Woodside Square

Woodside Square holds a special place in my heart as I grew up there; it's my hood. I've witnessed its transformation over the years into a remarkably Chinese-friendly mall, with an array of restaurants offering authentic Chinese cuisine and wide selection of common franchises. Despite the changes, my favorite spot remains the unchanging library, which holds nostalgic memories of my childhood. It's a vibrant mix of old and new, making Woodside Square a unique and evolving hub of community and culture.

We LOVE this mall. If you're looking for a place that is super kid friendly and has great and varied food options, this place checks all the boxes.

They have a moving dinosaur display built into the mall's decor that begins outside the mall, and carries through its interior. Even includes giant bird cages with live birds tweeting about.

Several times a day you can sign you and your kids up for a 45 mins tour with a dino guide who walks you through the displays, providing historical facts, very fun for kids in the 4-10 age range.

There are 2 play areas for kids in the mall and easily 20 different eateries to tryout including restaurant and food court options. They seem to be well connected with the community celebrating Lunar New Year and Mid Autumn festival with their patrons, with many activities being offered complimentary.

This is my second visit here, both for outdoor events held on the Woodside Square parking lot grounds. Tonight, it was for the Love and Peace International Themed Lantern Festival/World of Lights.

It was a beautiful presentation featuring a large-scale international outdoor light show composed of four main thematic elements; Light of the Universe, Light of Nature, Light of the East, Light of the West.

The handcrafted lanterns originated from Zigong, Sichuan, China, and have come to Toronto after localized design in Canada.

More than 50 artisans have contributed to the 100+ pieces in the lantern show. A worthwhile visually stunning exhibit.

The general admission tickets were $12.00 (for 13 YO and up) and $10 (child under 12 YO).

Super cute dinosaur theme at this mall. Our favorite dimsum place Casa Deluz is here, next to an amazing Dollarama that has everything at an unbelievably low price and great quality. There are also quite a few household goods and appliances stores. I should brought an extra empty luggage.

My rating is 3.5 stars. It's tough debating whether to round up or down. For sentimental reasons, I'm rounding up.

I dropped by Woodside Square often when I worked in Scarborough, which was roughly a five-minute drive. Pho Xe Lua was our hangout at lunch. I recently visited it after learning that this restaurant is still alive and kicking.

Food Basics has been there for well over a decade. I'd drop by to get groceries after work before heading home. I'd often drag my parents over here to grocery shop, followed by hitting Bulk Barn next door. Sadly, Bulk Barn is no longer there. I'm not sure whether that's the main reason why the entrance between Food Basics and the mall has closed down. This wing doesn't have a ton of stores anymore.

Although some stores have departed over the years (rest in retail peace, Bulk Barn, Zellers, Winners, EB Games, and more), the mall looks much better. The food court is much improved these days. It's clean and inviting. KFC is still there (I dropped by often back then that it's almost ridiculous and a tad embarrassing), but it's now a combo store with Taco Bell. Yay!

There are new places, such as Call a Chicken. The name of this business cracks me up:

"Hello, chicken? I love our phone chats about which came first: you or the egg."

Call 1-800-call-a-chicken now! LOL

The library is still there. So is Regal Photo, where I got my passport photos taken. It's nice that I still recognize some things. Royal Bank and Shoppers Drug Mart seem to be permanent fixtures here, which I used to frequent often.

There are more bubble tea places at this mall. I want to try them. There's also a movie theatre. I've never been. One of these days, I will.

This mall has plenty of parking spots. Even with the construction happening where the restaurant entrance to Pho Xe Lua is, there are still lots of available places to park.

I love the improvements that have been made here. Some of the empty stores are a concern, but it's definitely more alive than I remember this mall to be.

(398)

This mall might be one of the best days in my life, sure I probably barely experienced anything fun in my life but this was very epic, the dinosaurs were amazing since a love dinosaurs and the playgrounds were amazing

Great mall with lots of free parking and plenty of shops. There are lots of Chinese shops where you will find niche Chinese products. The food court is also plentiful with enough dining spaces. They also have the wood side cinemas which displays Bollywood and Indian cinemas. Definite visit recommended

This was always my favourite mall as there are banks, a supermarket, a pharmacy, a post office etc., but now with the construction which has completely closed the parking lot for a couple of years and the venues that they always have in the front parking lot - not easy to park anywhere. Consequently people park where they are now allowed to and the security does not seem to stop them you have to see all the cars parked right along the sidewalk near the TD bank in fact all along that area - it has become an absolute nightmare.

Why will I think Woodside Square A-OK?? There are no big fancy anchors stores.. not even a Zeller...

Woodside Square really serves the local area Asian residents really well. The elderly can really spend the whole day here.

- Royal Banquet for dim sum
- 2 Chinese Bakeries they can have their snack and tea
- Vietnamese Noodles at Xue Lua Vietnamese
- Spending some time in the Library
- Doing their grocery at Food Basic

And there are food choices like McDonald's, Pizza Pizza and Popeye for their grandkids if they do tag along! :P

Almost all the banks has a branch here RBC, TD and BMO!

So not surprising you see a lot of stores here are individually owned small businesses and there are a lot of elders hanging around here..

When I retired, I don't mind having a mall like Woodside Square within walking distance.. but for the time being, I won't be making a special trip to visit here!

The mall that time forgot

Came by here last Sunday during the heatwave. Several stores didn't have AC and were blisteringly hot. EB games was like an oven.

Many of the storefronts have been abandoned

Washrooms are scary and unkept.

It was really depressing here...