Dealer Profile
Bay Bloor Radio
There’s only one Bay Bloor Radio. Bay Bloor Radio was founded in 1946 — the same year that James B. Lansing started JBL! They recently completed their biggest store renovation since the late 1980s, including a new turntable department, a new headphone bar with private listening room, and the pyramid, a tribute to the world’s finest audio gear. Of course, in addition to their store location in downtown Toronto, they offer nationwide online shopping to music lovers across Canada.
Bay Bloor Radio started out as a little radio sales and service shop in 1946. From the beginning, Sol Mandlsohn put his customers first — and his dedication to great service, along with his commitment to honesty and integrity, helped his little radio store grow and grow.
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 savvy music lovers.
Bay Bloor Radio has about 50 team members across sales, service and repair, custom design, inventory, delivery, installation, and administration.
What do you like most about HARMAN Luxury Audio products and which lines do you feature?
The JBL Classic Series has been a big success for us; we sold the original L100 Century in the 1970s and were excited to see the legend return. Customers love the fusion of retro looks with modern-day sizes and performance.
More recently, we became Toronto’s first JBL Synthesis Certified Showroom. Visitors have been blown away by how the system — despite being in a compact space that would be typical of a downtown Toronto home — delivers such an immersive audio experience.
Tell us about your company 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.
You have the floor. Anything else that you would like the world to know?
We went through our archives and found a vintage photo of the store from 1988. See if you can spot the JBL speakers!
