Italo and wife Tina ran Tina’s Department Store in Mimico for more than 60 years. Photos by Ian Robertson.
A HAND-WRITTEN sign signals the end of 62-years of family history at Tina’s Department Store on Royal York Road.
One of the oldest clothing department stores in the community is shutting its doors after more than 62 years in business at 364 Royal York Road.
A handmade sign has been placed in the windows of iconic Tina’s Department Store, to notify residents that the store is closing for business and to mourn the passing earlier this year of co-founder and family patriarch Italo Vigilianti, at the age of 87.
Vigilianti met his sweetheart, Giustina Viola, in April 1955, a month after arriving In Canada by ship from his hometown of Terracina, Italy.
The couple married and settled in Mimico to raise a family. Italo worked for Tip Top Tailor and Chubb Canada, before they opened their business in December 1958.
The store, which was named after Tina, has been a mainstay on the Royal York strip, from Judson to Evans Ave., for decades.
San Remo Bakery and Kassel Pharmacy were among the thriving businesses prospering at that time beside Tina’s shop.
“After a few years, the hard work was paying off and they purchased the store next door when it went up for sale,” according to the family. “They worked diligently without a cause and love of the interaction with people.”
The couple are parents of two grown children, and lots of great children, nephews and nieces.
They “had a beautiful life of entertaining their friends and family and spoiling their nieces and nephews,” family members said.
“They travelled back to their roots in Italy,” they recalled. “Italo spent time hunting with his best friend, his dog Brandy, and spent many good times fishing and hunting with friends and son Cesare.”
They raised their children over the store, until moving to Mississauga in the 1970s, into a home that had a large backyard for Italo’s beloved garden, where he grew figs, pears, vegetables and apples.
The store had many loyal and supportive customers over the years.
“I will never forget that they gave us credit when we had to buy clothes for my children joining us in Canada,” said long-time customer and friend, Elsie. “They helped many families back then.”
Italo spent much of the year trying to recover from a broken hip, which made him less mobile.
He passed away last January with his family at his side.
He leaves behind Tina, his wife of 65 years, their children and many loving and caring family members.
A ZOOM funeral service was held to celebrate his life last January.
The family would like to thank their customers and residents of Mimico and Mississauga for their kindness and support.
