The Beginning
How It All Began
February 21, 1946.
Bay Bloor Radio started out as a little radio shop on the west side of Bay Street, just north of Bloor. From the very beginning, Sol Mandlsohn put his customers first. His dedication to great service, along with his commitment to honesty and integrity, helped his little radio store to grow, and grow.
The 1950s
An Expansion In Size And Scope
Sol opened Canada’s first hi-fi studio and hired the city’s best technicians. Sol’s wife Peppie sold vinyl records. Customers came in for personal attention and expert advice, and it wasn’t long before BBR was customizing component high-fidelity systems for the city’s music lovers.
The 1960s
The Place To Be
Yorkville was in its heyday, and Bay Bloor Radio had become a magnet for both customers and vendors. The first Dual turntables, Yamaha receivers, and Sony Trinitron colour TVs all brought more and more customers in. Under Klaus Kunz and Walter Stenzel, the Service Department became known as the best in Canada.
The 1970s
Sol Proves Everyone Wrong
The city was growing, so Sol took a giant leap relocating to a 10,000 square foot location in the newly-constructed Manulife Centre. The incredible multi-level store proved to be the perfect venue for a growing range of audio and video gear. Some people thought Sol was crazy to take so much space, but it worked. In 1971, Sol’s son Mark joined the company (and still runs it today).
The 1980s
CD Players Usher In a New Generation Of Music Lovers
Bay Bloor Radio was now famous throughout Canada, always first with the latest technology. When the first CD player arrived in 1981, Sol predicted that it would be a hit, and it was. BBR quickly became Toronto’s digital audio headquarters and a whole new generation of music lovers came in to experience the magic of music.
In the late '80s, the market was changing again. Home Theatre systems were on the horizon so the store expanded once more — Raymond Moriyama’s ultra-modern award-winning design would help make Bay Bloor Radio world-famous.
The 1990s
Worldwide Recognition, and the End of an Era.
In May of 1990, Hi Fidelity Magazine of London, England rated Bay Bloor Radio as "One of the 5 Best Hi-Fi Shops in the World." It was amazing press for a Canadian retailer, but BBR couldn’t rest on its laurels. Technology was moving faster still, and there was a lot more than just hi-fi to sell and service.
Bay Bloor Radio changed with the marketplace, but what never changed was the personal attention, expert advice, and exceptional customer service.
Sol passed away in November 1998 at the age of 80. The end of an era, and the end of a century.
The 2000s
A New World of Audio & Video
The first decade of the new millennium brought with it a new world of high definition television, and strong demand for flat panel TVs and home theatre systems. The introduction of the iPod transformed the way the world listened to music, and the internet brought with it a host of new challenges and opportunities.
Bay Bloor Radio formed strong partnerships with Bose, Samsung, Totem Acoustic, and more — while also expanding the selection of headphones and portable audio — to highlight the magic of the latest technology.
The 2010s
Back To Our Roots
Bay Bloor Radio became more of a hi-fi store again. Danu and Sam Mandlsohn joined the team — adding a third generation to the rich history of Bay Bloor Radio, and opening BBR's e-commerce store.
Having never stopped selling turntables, the store started selling records again in 2010 as vinyl made its comeback. Headphones and earphones became ubiquitious, and BBR became a leader in the space as one of the few stores where customers could try before they buy. And streaming audio took off, connecting hi-fi systems to a whole new world of music.
The 2020s and Beyond
A Store for the Next Generation
The industry was changing. At BBR, that meant it was time to work harder, work smarter, and do all the little things that the competition couldn’t or wouldn’t do.
That meant our biggest store renovation since the late '80s, with an expansion onto one floor with natural light and a modernized look and feel. Highlights include a new turntable department, a transformed headphone bar with private listening room, and the pyramid, a tribute to the world’s finest audio gear.
On February 21st, 2025, Bay Bloor Radio celebrated 79 years in business.
We still love music.
And yes, we still sell and service radios.
Our Mission
When Bay Bloor Radio opened its doors back in 1946, the world was a whole lot simpler, and so was the way we did business.
Sol Mandlsohn built his business on the principles of honesty, integrity and fairness, one customer at a time. He built it on a burning desire to make sure his customers bought the right product at the right price, and that they'd be delighted with their purchase for a long time.
At Bay Bloor Radio, our mission is to be the best audio/video store in Canada. No matter how fast technology changes, our founding principles remain the foundation of our business. At every point in your experience with us, at the front of the store or the back, at sales or in service, in-store or online, we are pledged to completely satisfying our customers … one at a time.
Our Promise
We promise to take the time and make the effort to listen to our customers and fully understand their unique needs and preferences.
To be sincere and honest with regards to the information we provide and the commitments we make.
To always keep the customer's best interests in mind.
To be fully positive in our thoughts, feelings and actions regarding all customers, even when they are not present.
To be cheerful, friendly, and helpful in all interactions.