Remember Art’s on Townline which is NOW MacEwen’s Gas?

This was the place to go and see your neighbours, grab a cup of coffee, weekend groceries and get your lotto. Bill Brunton mentioned:”don’t forget the Beckwith Butcher that was on the right hand side!” This photo is from January 2012–the last photo of Art’s before it was gone. Photo from Amanda Armstrong-From the photo collection of Margaret Martin”

As you know I go “kookoo for coconuts” when I see photos. Photos tell us so much about history, and now that we can document them online we can see them anytime we want and hopefully forever. Thank you Amanda Armstrong for sharing these with us and a big hug to your “Gram”.

If you have photos send them to me sav_77@yahoo.com and I will share history with the world.

Lizzie Brunton just emailed–“I was thinking about old stores in CP today. My first cashier job was at Art’s Variety on Townline. I miss that place, Art was a great boss. That store had everything from fruits, vegetables, deli meat to fireworks lol.

Great view of what William Street use to look like. With a view of Wayside Inn in the back, and a very bare Townline Road. Taken late 1940’s, Della Toop standing in front of the landmark tree at our family’s house. -Photo from Amanda Armstrong-From the photo collection of Margaret Martin”

Kim Martin Elder— And a quick side note…before it became Art’s Variety, it was known as Riverview. That was the name when Livingstones owned it.

Rick Redmond– And even before that it was owned and operated by the Black family in the 1950’s.

Another great shot of Wayside Inn –1940’s —-Photo from Amanda Armstrong-From the photo collection of Margaret Martin” The little boy is William (Billy) Purdon taken in front of the store when his parents Gilbert & Mary Purdon owned it

Early 1940’s in front of Wayside Inn (Art’s Variety). Dalton Jelly with my Grandmother Margaret Martin (nee Toop)--Photo from Amanda Armstrong-From the photo collection of Margaret Martin”

My Great-Grandmother Della Toop in front of the Wayside Inn sign with my Grandmother Margaret on the left, with the view of William Street in the back. Early 1940’s–Photo from Amanda Armstrong-From the photo collection of Margaret Martin”

The original Art’s Variety, then known as Wayside Inn when owned by my Great-Grandparent’s Arthur & Della Toop (owners from 1939-1948). Photo was taken in the early-mid 1940’s. My Grandmother Margaret Martin (nee Toop) standing with friends.Standing with her are Valda (Spinks) Blackburn, Orlene (Walters) Hamilton & her brother Barry Walters. Photo from Amanda Armstrong-From the photo collection of Margaret Martin”

Again thank you Amanda and Margaret Martin for your generosity.

Come and visit the Lanark County Genealogical Society Facebook page– what’s there? Cool old photos–and lots of things interesting to read.

Information where you can buy all Linda Seccaspina’s books-You can also read Linda in Hometown News and now in The Townships Sun

The Mystery Ruins of Carleton Place- Photos by Adam Dowdall

Kim Martin Elder
**May 25, 2018** ·

My grandparents Art and Della Toop owned the store between 1939 – 1945.
I don’t know if Rick remembers these name tags, but I got them made up for all of us when we worked for Art Diotte. He eventually changed the name to Art’s Variety.

Linda Gallipeau-JohnstonThe best fruit stand ever!!

Dan WilliamsI remember it when it was called Black’s

Terry Latham–Think it was Ed. Moss that had it.

Wendy HealeyIt was a great store. Would stop and get gas and a treat on the way home from town. The floors were so worn with so many people going in and out. Bought our meat there.

Carole FlintAnd isn’t that where The Beckwith Butcher was before his current location-The old building was torn down

Wesley ParsonsA lot of local kids worked there as well. Art was a real character!

Jeremy StinsonThere were 2 men named Art that owned it over the years. Art Martel was the second one.

Rick SchnauferArt Diotte was the first Art

Tina LaRocqueI was one of those kids. I ended up babysitting for him instead cause I wasn’t very good at the store part

Rick SchnauferI think Livingstones owned it in the early to mid 70ks before Art Diotte bought it around 76

Sue Black-Parks ColtonMy grandparents Cliff and Muriel Black owned the store at one point, they had a fresh meat counter, a lunch counter, I think it was in the mid 60’s they had it. My Dad Morley Black would deliver groceries.