One of the reasons I enjoy doing this particular feature so much is that the items being described oftentimes highlite the fact that collectibles come in all shapes and sizes. As we'll see in this particular case, the item in question, a brick, is not only unique, but is an item that would hold no relevance to a hockey fan were it not for where it came from.
But bearing this in mind, it is again the story that overshadows the item in many ways. The circumstances and fandom that came together to bring this guy and his....bricks....together make for an intriguing story that will surely be told to many a curious visitor to his home for years to come! Now I’m not saying I condone this, but I also can’t deny that it’s a hell of a story, and land, for a die hard Leafs fan!
I wish I had a kick ass story of how I came to have these bricks in my possession. But it’s just a great case of being in the right place at the right time.In the fall of 2010 I was working construction on a building roof on Church St. In Toronto, and had a birds eye view of the renovations/construction that transformed/ruined the once holy grail of hockey, Maple Leafs Garden, into a grocery store and student recreation complex. I bleed blue. I'm an absolute die hard. Going to work and watching this first hand every day was brutal. Heartbreaking almost. I totally disagreed with the whole project from the start. When the Leafs moved to the ACC I always hoped the Marlies or the Hockey Hall of Fame would take up residence and bring the building back to life. But nooooo, that would have been to simple. Would have made too much money.
Anyways, after a while I got real curious as to what was going on inside. One day I walked over on my lunch and tried to see for myself what was going on. I had what I thought was a real brilliant idea: "I'm just gonna walk right through the front door." What did I have to lose! I work construction, I have the hard hat, vest and boots on. Why not, right? As I did a lap of the building trying to find the best entrance, I saw them: Skids and skids of the yellow exterior bricks. (NOTE: FOR THOSE WHO HAD NEVER BEEN THERE, THE WALLS AROUND THE FRONT ENTRANCE/BOX OFFICE AREA UNDER THE OVERHANG WERE CONSTRUCTED WITH YELLOW BRICKS). Some broken in half, some in full pieces. I wanted them. I grabbed a couple of bricks and put them in the truck. And that's how I made the impossible possible. I wish I had a kick ass stealth mission story to this. But that's it. That's how it went down.
When people see them in my home they ask me how I got them. When I tell them the story they laugh.
A piece of history literally! Great story to hand down to the grandkids!
________________________________________________________________________
Do you have a piece of treasured memorabilia that has a great story behind it? Let me know and you can be featured in an article. Doesn't matter how big or small the piece is, how valuable it may be, or whether it's a common item or more oddball. If you think it has a story, contact me via the information below and we'll chat. In the meantime, check out some previous "Display Case" articles via the links below to see what others have submitted in the past... ______________________________________________________________________
Shawn Gates
shawn.gates@hockeybuzz.com
Facebook: Shawn Gates
______________________________________________________________________
Previous “Display Case… Articles
Previous “Who Am I?… Articles
#1, #2, #3, #4, #5, #6, #7, #8, #9, #10, #11, #12, #13, #14, #15, #16, #17, #18, #19, #20, #21 , #22 , #23, #24, #25, #26, #27, #28, #29, #30, #31, #32, #33, #34, #35, #36, #37, #38, #39
Previous …On The Market… Articles
Previous “WHAT IF…?… Articles
Previous “Points To Ponder… Articles
Previous “Would You Rather…?
Previous “According to Twitter… Articles
Previous “Very Random Thoughts… Articles
Previous “Hockey Videos…
Upcoming Signings
Previous “Who Knew?… Articles
Previous Product Previews & Reviews
Ultimate Set Build
Previous "Devil's In The Details" Articles
Previous Box Breaks
Previous “Devil's Advocate… Articles
Previous “Town Without A Team… Articles
Previous “Hockey Psychology… Articles