Maybe it was the wall of cheese or a chance to be one of the first to saunter through a revitalized Toronto landmark.

Whatever the reason, hundreds of people were in line when Loblaws' flagship store opened at Maple Leaf Gardens on Wednesday at 8 a.m.

People slowly filtered into the gourmet grocery store when its doors opened, signalling a new era for a Carlton Street building filled with history.

With anticipation building through the week, people began lining up Tuesday at 7 p.m. to be the first customers to enter the historic building, once home to the NHL's Toronto Maple Leafs, since an ambitious $60-million redevelopment project was announced in 2009.

The lineup grew Wednesday morning, bringing back memories of the old days when people lined outside the building for Maple Leafs games, concerts and other events.

Nancy, a customer who didn't give her last name, joined the lineup at 5 a.m.

"We want to see what's happening in the neighbourhood and check out the old building and see what's happened to it," said Nancy, who was planning to head straight to the so-called wall of cheese that is drawing plenty of curiosity.

The building hasn't seen this much buzz since the Maple Leafs played their final game there in 1999 before moving to the Air Canada Centre.

In addition to a 70,000-square foot Loblaws that features fancy food products, a chef's kitchen and tea emporium, the building is home to an LCBO, Joe Fresh clothing store and athletic facilities for Ryerson, including a 2,600-seat ice rink on the top floor and volleyball and basketball courts on the second floor.

To celebrate the opening, Joe Fresh is offering 20 per cent off purchases.

The arena, part of the Peter Gilgan Athletic Centre, will be home to the Ryerson Rams hockey team when it opens in the spring.

Ryerson president Sheldon Levy expects similar lineups when the arena hosts its first public skate.

"It's a great store and this complex is going to come back to life," Levy told CP24. "It will be the centre of Toronto and I think the city will be proud of what we have done and what Loblaws has done."

With files from CP24's Katie Simpson

@ChrisKitching is on Twitter