We walked up to one young swain and said, “That’s sure a swell burgundy Ringo cap you have there.” The youth, who would identify himself only as “Bill,” said, most soberly, “This is a John Lennon cap. Ringo caps have some braiding across the front.” We stood corrected. 1966

Marty Taylor– I bought a Beatles cap in Almonte and wore it proudly

Linda Seccaspina- Marty Taylor where did you buy it?

Marty Taylor– Honestly, I bought it at a clothing store very close to the old pool hall but the other side of the street. Any ideas?? Remember any clothing stores located there?

Dan Williams- Was Timmins’s

Marty Taylor- I can picture myself walking out of there with my Beatles cap on but I can’t for the life of me remember the name of the store. Could be Timmins’s. I assume it was across the street and just down from the pool hall?

Dan Williams ––Marty Taylor yep. You mean a dutch boy cap. I believe that’s what John’s hat was

Dan Williams– Donovan wore one and Dylan

Dan Williams– I wanted one so bad but I could never find one. If I’d had the internet then I could have had one in 24 hours. I’m still a hat wearer though so maybe it’s not to late

Barbara Joan Cook– Dan Williams or was it Smolkins (sp) before Timmins?

Dan Williams– Barbara Joan Cook Could be. I wasn’t an Almontonian that far back. A Carleton Place boy me but I was going to high school here at the time. I just went to school and beat it back home.

Sandy France– It was Johnson’s Clothing beside the Superior. Became Timmins. Smolkin’s was beside the Bank of Montreal. Worked there one summer for Moses Smolkin.

Sylvia Coones– Marty Taylor I believe it was called Johnstons back then. Carson Johnson owned it

Marty Taylor– Sandy France Must have been Johnson’s then. That’s the location.

Brian Sonnenburg– It was Johnsons clothing….I bought my black Beatles hat from Carson Johnson.

The Akron Beacon Journal
Akron, Ohio
11 Mar 1966, Fri • Page 24

The Morning Call
Allentown, Pennsylvania
08 May 1966, Sun • Page 42

Stores in Almonte by Sandy France

Sandy France This was the makeup of the South side of Mill Street in the fifties….the order may not be exactly correct and I may have missed someone…but it’s close

Dominion Stores later Mappins/Baker’s Jewellry and Flowers
Milady Beauty Salon
Karl Paupst Groceries
Jimmy Moreau Magazines
Albert T. Gale realtor
Bell Telephone exchange
Ivan Duncan barber
Superior Restaurant
Carson Johnson Men’s’ Wear
Royal Bank
Lewis Carr butcher
Art Smith electrician
Phil Needham shoemaker
Cliff Graham pharmacist
Doug James Confectionary
Winnard (Winnie) James barber shop
Raymond Jamieson Attorney (upstairs)
Moses Smolkin Men’s’ Wear
Bank of Montreal
Harold Proctor shoes
Millview Restaurant
Howard Giles Western Auto store
Stafford Law Office later CJ Newton Attorney
N. S. Lee hardware store
Elmer Carnegie pharmacist
Kinsella’s Esso garage later Irval Motors
Almonte Public Utilities
McCormick’s Ladies’ Wear
Ed Scott furniture later John Kerry
Wilf Snedden pharmacist
Ab Lotan restaurant
Johnny Erskine cold storage later IGA

Eugene O’Reilly had a store on the corner of Mill and Brae Streets and they closed out their business in 1928. Later on J. H. Proctor opened a boot and shoe store, also a harness shop in the back part of the building. On the other corner of Mill and Brae was the Bank of Montreal, then Smolkin’s store, Jas. Cochrane’s Men’s Wear, W. James Barber Shop, George Eades Boot and Shoe Store (Needham and Son, bought out Geo. Eades later on), A. B. Lotan’s Butcher Shop and on the second floor of some of these buildings were four places of business – A. Allan, tailor; R. A. Jamieson, lawyer; T. R. Patterson, dentist; Greig & Greig, lawyers. Mr. Pittard’s printing office was next. He once was editor of the Almonte Times paper. Then was W. D. Lea’s bakery and Laura and Nellie Hogan’s Millinery shop. Though the Hogans now are retired from business they will long be remembered, not only for their millinery work, but also for the kindness they showed to all who called at their shop.

Further along Mill street was Peterson’s Confectionery, Ivan Duncan’s Barber Shop, Telephone Office, W. Lawford’s Store, James Moreau’s store, then the Dominion Store. The last store on the block was Fred Robertson’s, who sold out to Wm. Pimlott in 1928.