There’s now a petition to save Imperial Pub from closing after over 80 years in Toronto

The historic Imperial Pub has announced they’ll be closing after over 80 years in business in Toronto, but there’s now a petition that’s been created in hopes of saving it from shutting down.

“Like thousands of TMU students before me, I have had some of my most memorable university experiences at Imperial Pub. I’ve made friends, fallen in love, decompressed after exams, listened to smooth jazz, and played countless games of pool here. There’s nowhere else in Toronto like it,” begins the message alongside the online petition, entitled “Save Imperial Pub and Preserve Its Legacy at TMU.”

The pub posted a message to their official website recently letting people know that they would be shutting their doors in November.

“TMU has recently finalized a deal to purchase the historic Imperial Pub with plans to replace it with a 30-storey student residence,” reads the online petition page.

“While we acknowledge the importance of student housing, we also want to highlight the irreplaceable role that the Imperial Pub plays in the essence of student life as well as Toronto more generally. For over eighty years, this place has been a social epicenter and has also provided students a space to unwind, connect, and create lasting memories.”

As of right now the petition only has a few hundred signatures so it’s possible it may not get the attention it deserves in order to make a difference in the closure of Imperial Pub, but it definitely stands as a record of the passion students and locals have for the space.

“We petition TMU administrators to consider the importance of balancing new development with preserving cultural and historical landmarks,” the online petition page reads.

“A proposed solution is to integrate the Imperial Pub into the new development by allocating the lower two floors to house the pub. This arrangement will ensure that the pub’s vibrant atmosphere, cherished by so many, continues to thrive within our expanding university landscape.”

The message argues that keeping Imperial Pub open would preserve more of the culture of Toronto and campus life, and would allow future generations to experience the landmark.

“Toronto really doesn’t have many iconic pubs (or even buildings) left,” reads one comment on the petition page. “Not only is the Imperial a great pub worth saving, but it’s a part of Toronto’s culture worth saving.”

The post closes with words from Chronicles of Narnia: “Do not cite the deep magic to me. I was there when it was written!”

If you want to try to help save the Imperial Pub, you can add your name to the petition here.