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TORONTO – When it was announced in October that the Honest Ed’s building was being sold to a Vancouver developer, people anticipated this year would mark the end of the annual turkey giveway Ed Mirvish began 26 years ago.

“I had to come as a celebration of my youth and those memories we had,” a customer who waited in line told Global News.

READ MORE: Honest Ed’s sold to Vancouver developer

The iconic store will be open for another three years as new owners Westbank Properties decide what to do with the space. After that the turkey giveaway will have to find a new home.

“It’s not a tradition I will let go of easily,” Ed Mirvish’s son David said Sunday. “I think in a way it gives my staff and myself a better feeling than the people receiving it.”

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A total of 1,500 turkeys were handed out this year.