The former site of Toronto's most iconic HMV location is about to get taken over by a new tenant who won't be selling CDs, but rather something else that starts with a C.

Taking a stroll along Yonge Street today, you might pass the currently vacant storefront at 333 Yonge Street, which most recently housed Tokyo Smoke, one of the city's first legal cannabis stores, without giving it a second thought.

For those steeped in the city's music and retail culture throughout the 90's and 2000's, though, that space holds a whole lot more memories than discounted doobies.

For nearly 30 years, 333 Yonge Street was the site of a faltering (though still alive at Toys "R" Us stores in the city) CD and vinyl retailer, HMV's Canadian flagship.

The enormous three-storey storefront boasted a wall of television monitors which broadcasted the Blue Jays World Series win in 1992,  as well as several spaces that hosted live performances by some legendary acts like Alice Cooper, Green Day and Red Hot Chilli Peppers.

Opening in 1991 with a live performance by Chris Isaak, the store quickly drove out neighbouring competitors like A&A Records and Sam the Record Man thanks to its local notoriety, but as they do, times changed, and thanks to the rise of music streaming services like Spotify and Apple Music, HMV's reign came to a close in 2017.

A few years later, in 2019, Tokyo Smoke opened its first legal dispensary in the space as one of the first five private cannabis dispensaries to open in Toronto after the substance was legalized in 2018.

Not coming anywhere close to touching the lengthy residency HMV spent in the same location, Tokyo Smoke closed its doors (along with 28 other locations) earlier this year as the chain sought creditor protection.

Now, 333 Yonge Street is getting yet another lease on life, as a brand-new tenant prepares to move in; One Plant Cannabis.

While the new business in the space is less of a departure from the last than Tokyo Smoke was from HMV, the Ontario-based dispensary chain promises to bring a breath of fresh air (forgive the turn of phrase) to the building.

One Plant's Director of Marketing, Gisele Ferrenbach tells blogTO that the team was well aware of the locations history when they decided to move in to 333 Yonge.

"We are excited and honoured to be the next in line to occupy 333 Yonge and become a part of Toronto history," she says.

"Knowing how special this building is to the city, we have many exciting plans to continue the trend of bringing life and excitement to the people of Toronto," though the exact details of those plans, she tells blogTO, are strictly under wraps for now.

What she does divulge is the fact that this location — One Plant's 53rd in Canada and the United States — will be unlike any other.

"This one will be full of engaging and interactive displays," she tells blogTO. "We want everyone who stops by to get an immersive, educational and welcoming experience no matter where you are on your cannabis journey — beginning or seasoned!"

The allure of taking over 333 Yonge, Giselle says, extends beyond just the space's history and, of course, enormous square-footage, though.

"We love that Toronto draws people in from all over the world, and that is exactly where we want our stores to be," she says, noting that a space near Yonge and Dundas, a central artery in the city, is exactly the place to capture a diverse array of clientele, no matter whether they're visitors or longtime residents.

And, hey, the nearby food options are certainly an added bonus if you find yourself coming down with a case of the munchies after a shopping spree at the new store.

The doors to the new One Plant are set to officially open to the public at 4 p.m. on Nov. 1, but they'll be hosting an epic grand opening on Nov. 14, with more news about contests, giveaways and special performances coming in the near future.