Lead organizer and benevolent dictator Kate Tennier promotes memberships.
“Gwinna” stands for the newly formed Gerrard Woodbine Neighbourhood Association. We need a better name, so there was a ballot box for suggestions. Mine was Beach Hill.
There was a good turnout, with neighbour-volunteers handing out popcorn and cotton candy, the Bread Boys band booming out of the Naval Club’s doors and tour guides Mark Cheatley and Gene Domagala teaching about our strip of stores. We learned that an old brick structure (soon to be demolished for a condo) is still operating as a pipe organ repair shop that serves all of Canada. [Bottom right in the photo] Who would have guessed?
In times gone by, we had a shoe store, green grocers, a butcher shop, a barber, a Scottish bakery, a beauty salon, 3 pharmacies, a movie theatre, an IGA “super” market, cleaners, a hardware store… a small town, really.
Cut to today. Quite a few of the stores have been converted to residential space. Others have changed to reflect the times… an electronics store, a computer repair guy, a convenience store. Slim pickin’s compared to the past, but a new restaurant, an art studio/gallery, a trendy coffee shop, a good florist and a couple of music studios point to brighter days. McCarthy’s Irish Pub, where our tour began, is thriving. They’re doing Irish breakfasts now, too.
That’s what’s happening on Beach Hill.
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Two of the storekeeping families on Gerrard had been rounded up during WW II, when Canadians of Japanese ancestry were forced to leave BC and relocate in Ontario. “Lovely people”, Mark Cheatley reported.
Gene Domagala also pointed out that the guy who shot down the Red Baron lived with his family on Wrenson Road after the war. Captain A. Roy Brown. Look it up.
Times have changed indeed, in the old neighbourhood there was a little store, not a chain of any type…. Donna will remember Seminole Provisions, it was a butcher shop, grocery store, penny candy store and had fresh produce. They delivered your purchases if you wanted, no charge. I don’t think we will see these types of places again
Donna does remember Seminole Provisions. “They were so patient when you picked out your candy” she says.
I said they were so patient when I picked out my candy! Thanks for reminding me….Seminole Provisions was a gem…they even had art supplies. I remember hardwood floors and the twin brothers/owners. We used to know their names…how good is your memory Paul?
Who remembers Kay and Mary in the variety store where McCartheys is now. Great candy counter, fill a paper bag with gum, black balls, hot tomales, etc.
I remember when the McCarthy’s location was a variety store but I never went in. I recall seeing an older woman, apparently the proprietor, inside but never saw a customer on the few occasions when I walked by. Perhaps the variety store was getting close to the end of its days. It closed for good not long after I noticed it.
I wish that the old butcher shop had stayed in business. It was already closed in the late 80s but the counters and store fixtures remained in place. Now the buddhist ashram occupies that building.