Tim Hortons celebrated its 50th birthday yesterday by transforming downtown Toronto’s Yonge and Dundas Square into a scene from the 1960s, complete with a replica of its original Hamilton, Ont. restaurant.
Thursday’s installation included a vintage Hamilton street scene with vintage cars, staffed with servers dressed in 60s garb, handing out treats to passerby.
We're having a groovy time in @YDSquare today to celebrate our 50th Anniversary! #Tims50th #throwbackthursday #TBT pic.twitter.com/sqW4GGHw7l
— Tim Hortons (@TimHortons) May 15, 2014
The coffee and donut giant opened its first store on May 17, 1964 and was named after its co-founder, Miles Gilbert “Tim” Horton, who won the Stanley Cup with the Toronto Maple Leafs just weeks before launching the restaurant.
Vintage coffee break! Our first restaurant in Hamilton, ON had blue & white awnings & counter seating. #Tims50th pic.twitter.com/OJgGYFfNHE
— Tim Hortons (@TimHortons) May 15, 2014
The event, which ran from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m., included a performance by Montreal jazz singer Nikki Yanofsky, a Stanley Cup exhibit, and appearances by former Toronto Maple Leafs Johnny Bower and Ron Ellis.
On its actual birthday on Saturday, Tim Hortons will hand out free birthday-cake donuts at participating branches across the country.
Since opening its first store 50 years ago, the company has grown into a coffee and baked goods giant, with more than 4,000 locations.
