Wayne Gretzky´s Toronto restaurant to shut down, Second City to move for new condo development
(The Star Books)

A pair of landmark tourist destinations in downtown Toronto is closing its doors this year while another will be looking for a new home — victims of a new condo development in the area.Wayne Gretzky’s Toronto and Oasis Rooftop Patio are shutting down next year after 26 years in business, while The Second City Toronto is planning to relocate. In a news release Thursday, Gretzky’s announced that it will be closing in 2020 and is commemorating its final summer by inviting supporters to its Mercer St. and Blue Jays Way location and sharing their favourite memories of the sports bar and restaurant.Over the years, Gretzky’s has hosted memorable sports moments including when Isiah Thomas was introduced as Raptors executive vice-president and part owner in 1994. Gretzky the hockey legend hosted his retirement party at the restaurant in 1999. In 1994, the NBA expansion team announced its Raptors nickname in the studio space now occupied by Second City.Meanwhile, the comedy sketch theatre posted on its Facebook page announcing that it will be moving soon with more details to come.Raneem Alozzi is a breaking news reporter, working out of the Star`s radio room in Toronto. Follow her on Twitter: @r_alozzi