Street to be renamed after Hakim Optical founder

[Ory]

http://newswire.ca/en/releases/archi.../16/c5031.html
TORONTO, Oct. 10 /CNW/ - Scarborough Community Council voted to rename
one section of their streets after Hakim Optical founder, Karim Hakim, in
honor of his entrepreneurial, business and philanthropic achievements. "Hakimi
Avenue" will be the new name of "Lebovic Avenue" in Scarborough, located west
of Warden Avenue, between Eglinton Avenue East and Ashtonbee Road. This
location was chosen because a Hakim Optical outlet, established in this
location in 1988, was removed for the extension of this avenue.
An exception was granted to the policy of not naming streets after living
persons was made based on Mr. Hakim's numerous achievements. Noted businessman
and philanthropist Harold G. Shipp says "I believe that it is fitting that the
City of Toronto should name a street after a man who so ably represents the
strong values and spirit of hard work that are cherished by our City and our
Country. Karim Hakim's a shining example of the opportunity for success that
awaits new Canadians, and a role model for people of all cultural
backgrounds".
Mr. Hakim was born in Tehran, Iran. He was forced to leave school and
work at the age of 8 after his father died to help feed his impoverished
family. A few years later he found a job as an apprentice lens-maker and
returned to night school to finish his education. After finishing an
enlistment in the Iranian navy, he moved to Europe to perfect his lens-making
skills. He subsequently immigrated to Canada and after carefully saving his
money, opened his first optical lab in 1967. Gradually he expanded his
operations and today Hakim Optical serves the public with over 140 outlets.
Mr. Hakim says "I truly believe it's important to make a difference in
the lives of others. The golden rule at Hakim remains the same in 2008 as it
was in 1967: Serve as you would be served."
Mayor Hazel McCallion said "His personal involvement in many charitable
projects is reflective of his genuine concern for others and his many
contributions have helped to improve the quality of life for many in need".
Over the years, Mr. Hakim has helped to improve the vision of those in need
around the world by donating hundreds of thousands of pairs of eyeglasses in
co-operation with the Rotary Club and Lions International. He has also led the
Ride for Sight motorcycle charity parade in addition to supporting numerous
other charitable activities. In recognition of his generous contributions,
Mr. Hakim was knighted at Queen's Park in June 2005 by The Sovereign Order of
Saint John of Jerusalem, Knights of Malta, thereafter having the title of
Sir Karim Hakimi.

[For-Life]

good god

we should name the street after Al Capone instead

[opti-refractonator]

so his golden rule is to treat others the way he would like to be treated. So i guess that means he likes to be sexually harrassed by perverted old men who would only hire him if he had big ti^s. Nice . Come see the citizen of the year walking around yorkville with a group of nineteen year olds with their boobs hanging out. Much respect to him for being a player at his age, but the accolades need to stop.

[AdmiralKnight]

Two of the docs in our office got personally addressed (faxed) Invites to this yesterday. The third was "upset". :D

Also, I'm confused as to why the street is being named Hakimi, when his name is Hakim...

[Ory]

I think his birth name is Hakimi but he dropped the extra i

Our office received invites too. Too bad I was busy.......

[eyemanflying]

so his golden rule is to treat others the way he would like to be treated. So i guess that means he likes to be sexually harrassed by perverted old men who would only hire him if he had big ti^s. Nice . Come see the citizen of the year walking around yorkville with a group of nineteen year olds with their boobs hanging out. Much respect to him for being a player at his age, but the accolades need to stop.

Hilarious!! But true...I was once a descendant and witnessed it first hand. They left this part out of the media release.

[godin33]

K................Take a Right on Hamkimi Road.........You'll go through a set of lights, I think that's Bergez Street..........If you pass Enron Ave. you've gone to far.

[For-Life]

No one will be able to see the street sign through their broken, crazed, and wrong RX Hakim glasses.

[tmorse]

http://newswire.ca/en/releases/archi.../16/c5031.html
TORONTO, Oct. 10 /CNW/ - Scarborough Community Council voted to rename
one section of their streets after Hakim Optical founder, Karim Hakim, in
honor of his entrepreneurial, business and philanthropic achievements. "Hakimi
Avenue" will be the new name of "Lebovic Avenue" in Scarborough, located west
of Warden Avenue, between Eglinton Avenue East and Ashtonbee Road. This
location was chosen because a Hakim Optical outlet, established in this
location in 1988, was removed for the extension of this avenue.
An exception was granted to the policy of not naming streets after living
persons was made based on Mr. Hakim's numerous achievements. Noted businessman
and philanthropist Harold G. Shipp says "I believe that it is fitting that the
City of Toronto should name a street after a man who so ably represents the
strong values and spirit of hard work that are cherished by our City and our
Country. Karim Hakim's a shining example of the opportunity for success that
awaits new Canadians, and a role model for people of all cultural
backgrounds".
Mr. Hakim was born in Tehran, Iran. He was forced to leave school and
work at the age of 8 after his father died to help feed his impoverished
family. A few years later he found a job as an apprentice lens-maker and
returned to night school to finish his education. After finishing an
enlistment in the Iranian navy, he moved to Europe to perfect his lens-making
skills. He subsequently immigrated to Canada and after carefully saving his
money, opened his first optical lab in 1967. Gradually he expanded his
operations and today Hakim Optical serves the public with over 140 outlets.
Mr. Hakim says "I truly believe it's important to make a difference in
the lives of others. The golden rule at Hakim remains the same in 2008 as it
was in 1967: Serve as you would be served."
Mayor Hazel McCallion said "His personal involvement in many charitable
projects is reflective of his genuine concern for others and his many
contributions have helped to improve the quality of life for many in need".
Over the years, Mr. Hakim has helped to improve the vision of those in need
around the world by donating hundreds of thousands of pairs of eyeglasses in
co-operation with the Rotary Club and Lions International. He has also led the
Ride for Sight motorcycle charity parade in addition to supporting numerous
other charitable activities. In recognition of his generous contributions,
Mr. Hakim was knighted at Queen's Park in June 2005 by The Sovereign Order of
Saint John of Jerusalem, Knights of Malta, thereafter having the title of
Sir Karim Hakimi.

I'm quite pleased to see someone give back to their adopted country after finding success here in Canada. I remember his new lab (on Young St) and dispensary in the mid-70's when Imperial Optical ruled opticianry in Canada. He had a unique merchandising concept that Ontarioans have embraced, as demonstarted by his 140 stores. Many watched, but he DID.
So let us give credit where credit is due!!

[Golfnorth]

K................Take a Right on Hamkimi Road.........You'll go through a set of lights, I think that's Bergez Street..........If you pass Enron Ave. you've gone to far.

Now that's funny!

Regards,
Golfnorth

[Chris Ryser]

Hakin will probably open the next beautiful store an Hakimi street

However I still admire the guy, whom I knew in the old days in his little lab in downtown Toronto who made it from nothing to a good size corporation by hard work and being smart.

I still remember him giving me appointments to sell him frames after store closing, the got the bottle of cognac out and tried to condition me to drop the prices on my frames he was going to buy in good quantities. :D

[HarryChiling]

Hakin will probably open the next beautiful store an Hakimi street

However I still admire the guy, whom I knew in the old days in his little lab in downtown Toronto who made it from nothing to a good size corporation by hard work and being smart.

I still remember him giving me appointments to sell him frames after store closing, the got the bottle of cognac out and tried to condition me to drop the prices on my frames he was going to buy in good quantities. :D

Ahh, alcohol the grease that moves the wheels of commerce. Cognac I like this guy.