Bigger and Better than Ever, Bigger and Better than Ever 2, 2022

Neon and plexi
30 x 30”, 50" x 21.25"

In 1934, the Danforth Business Men’s Association organized a protest against the “scourge” of fruit stores selling their wares outside on the sidewalk. This association believed that fruit vendors violated a city bylaw and began and a public debate about what is acceptable to display on streets. The association attempted to parody fruit vendors by mimicking the act of selling their goods outside. However, the plan backfired and many patrons and customers welcomed this format of bringing commerce to the streets.

The title of this piece, Bigger and Better Than Ever, comes from a quote from one of the protesting businessmen when asked if their demonstration would come back. While this statement and the protest were intended to discourage fruit merchants from crossing the line into public space, over time, the phrase “bigger and better than ever” encapsulated how immigrant fruit merchants flourished on the Danforth. Nowadays, the streets of Toronto are difficult to imagine without goods being displayed outside. Bigger and Better Than Ever is a small glowing testament to local greengrocers. Bigger and Better than Ever is based on an early logo of Vincenzo Supermarket (2406 Danforth Ave), who hosted the project.

This project was commissioned by Stories and Storefronts (curated by Charlene K. Lau and Negin Zebarjad), Toronto, 2021-2022.

Installation photos by Carmen Chen and IA Documentation.