I bought a new wood stove from Fred. It was in the store but I had to wait for payday to buy it. Fred said “Take it now and pay for it when you get paid”. I was not a long-time resident of Lanark or the area, so I was thankful and impressed
Merchants now in business on George Street since the fire are Traill’s Flower Shop, Machan’s barber shop, Drysdale’s ready-to-wear store and Fred Orok’s hardware store, making its “grand opening” Saturday.
Jack Strang who saw his large drug store and gift store burn to the ground sold his lot to a new comer Fred Orok and left to work in Ottawa. Mr. Orok built and opened a modern hardware store and patent drug outlet on the site and reports he is more than satisfied with his decision to go into business in what most people thought might be a ghost town.
Each office now employs about 27. Bailey, who will head the new Carleton Place district, agrees the shift will mean the loss of a few dollars buying power in Lanark but insists local contractors will have as much opportunity as ever for ministry contracts. “Most major purchases are handled by tender anyway,” Bailey explained. “It’s the little purchases that will make the difference.”
Hardware store owner Fred Orok agrees the economics impact on the village of 900 will be “nickel and dime stuff.” He figures his store stands to lose about $25 profit a week, but that’s not what is bugging him. “It’s the secretaries who won’t be browsing on their lunch hour through Drysdale’s clothing store or the dozen or so lunches not served up at Perry’s restaurant. “The people in Lanark have always been oriented that way “to fish, forests and wildlife,” says Orok. “This doesn’t seem fair. It doesn’t make sense. They’ve g’ot their offices, garages and everything already here. . ” “It’s a place the whole communi- ty is proud of. It’s good for tourists too. They come in here asking about fishing licences or whatever and we just point them up tie street. Why move it to the middle of a farming area?” -! Village reeve Len Echlin echoed Orok’s disappointment. He calls the decision to merge the two districts “a foolish move. They’ve got a new building and garage there on five acres of land with lots of room f6r expansion,” he noted. ‘ t “I don’t know how many hiin- dreds of thousands of dollars they already have invested here. Doest it make any sense to pack up ah’d move where you’ll either have ‘to build the same building over again or rent space?
The Taylor building on the Bridge and Mill Street corner was built in 1888 and bought from Archibald McArthur. It’s one of the few downtown Carleton Place buildings that has not been touched by fire, and one of the largest made from Beckwith limestone and local bricks. After William’s death, the store continued on as Taylor Bros Ltd.,hardware, fuel merchants, and auto dealers under C. Frank R. Taylor (1875-1940) until 1930 ca. Frank was William’s son.This is the largest commercial building in Carleton Place and was known as “Taylor’s Department Store and Garage”.–Carleton Place Then and Now–Bridge Street Series– Volume 12
Linda, thanks for connecting! Hope you’re doing well. I am the great-granddaughter of JD Taylor of hardware store fame. My father, John Donald Laurie Taylor regaled my sybs and me with wonderful tales of the town, the people and the antics he got up to as a boy in Carleton Place.
Your postings about the store have filled in some blanks and the pictures are terrific to have. At the end of March my daughter and I are making a short pilgrimage from Burlington, ON, to CP where I can show her the store and the places my dad lived and “played”. With access to gun powder, nails, mason jars, a willing friend and a boat, the fish in the Mississippi and the boat didn’t stand a chance. When was this kind of fishing outlawed?
My dad was born in 1925 and his sybs, twins, Barbara and David were born in 1930. My grandfather passed in 1972, my grandmother, Hazel, in 1999, my father 7 years ago, my uncle a couple of years after that, and my aunt is still going!! Thank you so much for keeping Carleton Place alive for me. I am truly looking forward to seeing it for the first time. Wishing you good health and happiness,
We will list some of the business places of that day further along the street, but not all in order. Taber’s Ladies Wear, Merchants Bank and later bought by W. H. Stafford. (It had once been owned and operated by John McKinnon), McLean’s Bakery, Woosley’s Barber Shop, M. R. Young Men’s Wear, Clement Bicycle Shop, Dr. McGregor, dentist, and Taylor Bros. Hardware (they opened a Garage on Bridge St. in 1928 with Cliff Robertson as manager.)
A well known accountant in Ottawa began his career at Taylor’s Hardware. Thomas Dowe worked for 12 years at that very hardware store before going to the government income tax dept and many prestigious accounting firms including the chartered A. A. Crawley in Ottawa.
Lee & Son Hardware store in Almonte- Photo from Almonte.com
The first hardware shop in this building on Mill Street was Kaufman’s Hardware Store, which fire destroyed in September of 1909. In fact the whole block came tumbling down, and the building was replaced the following year with the brick structure that still stands on Mill Street. The new building included three separate two-story units, and they were numbered 34, 36 and 38
Between 1921 and 1924, the Knight family leased the space at 36 Mill Street, operating as Knight Bros. Hardware Store. The store and its stock were bought by N.S. (Norval Stewart) Lee in 1924 and were part of the Almonte downtown for three generations. It became known locally for its eye-catching front window displays and second-floor “toy land” full of children’s treasures as you can read in the comments below by the folks on The Tales of Almonte.
Leonard Lee’s family bought the building in 1998 and has run businesses from it since. Mr. Lee and his sons, Robin and James, intend to keep the legacy of serving the community alive through their old-fashioned store, which is open Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Susan Elliott Topping– I used to stare in awe at these windows every Christmas season!! The second floor was all toys and opened at Christmas for shopping!! We were late more than once to school because we would stop in before and after!! Great memories!!
Des H Julian— I remember one of the first TV s.and on Sat nite my grandfather and a few other people would stand outside and watch the hockey game. Ive been in that store often when i lived in Allmonte as a teenager.yes memories
Linda Nilson-RogersThe Christmas window was definitely a delight for kids!
Pete Brunellewhen I was a kid going upstairs during christmas season was truely heaven on earth .. all the games and toys .. It was amazing ..
D Christopher VaughanYep, like a lot of people, I remember the upstairs at Christmas. I want to say they called it Toy Land, but not sure. I was shocked at how small it was when I went back as an adult. As a child it seemed to go on forever!
Peggy ByrneYep, you’re right D Christopher Vaughan, Toy Land it was. Truly magical. Your heart started beating as soon as your feet touched the first steps.
Sandra Houston My favorite place
Colleen MontgomeryI remember also the upstairs. It definetly was a Christmas wonderland. I used to have great chats with Mr. Lee (may he rest in peace) about his life in Almonte. Very interesting man.
Kim DavisOh I loved toy land at Lees’s ❤️! Made Christmas!!
Ronald FordI can remember the windows took days to setup. Every child in tomorrow would-be waiting for toyland to open.
Jan McNeillMy uncle, Durward “Slip” Washburn worked for N.S. Lee for many years. I remember visiting the store in the 50’s. Durward was also the Fire Chief in Almonte for many years.
Cathy PatersonI remember Mrs Arthur working the store ! Shopping upstairs for toys!
Peter LowWhen it’s all said and done – “The best Christmases are celebrated in a small town. Before, during, and after.”
Terrence Miller--In the late forties my brother Tom and I were Boy Scouts . and I bought a hunting knife and hatchet from Lee’ Hardware. I still have them, although new sheaves were made for them. .Mr. .Callow was the leader of the scouts.
N. S. Lee & Son Hardware Comments and History photo almonte.com The first hardware shop in this building on Mill Street was Kaufman’s Hardware Store, which fire destroyed in September of 1909. In fact the whole block came tumbling down, and the building was replaced the following year with the brick structure that still stands on Mill Street. The new building included three separate two-story units, and they were numbered 34, 36 and 38 Between 1921 and 1924, the Knight family leased the space at 36 Mill Street, operating as Knight Bros. Hardware Store. The store and its stock were bought by N.S. (Norval Stewart) Lee in 1924 and were part of the Almonte downtown for three generations. It became known locally for its eye-catching front window displays and second-floor “toy land” full of children’s treasures as you can read in the comments below by the folks on The Tales of Almonte.
Comments about the story: Eades Hardware of Carleton Place-Allen Wrenches Toilet Seats and Electric Heaters Remember when Bridge Street had parking on both sides of the street and driving down the street was a challenge? I am particularly pleased to see the mention of *Gerald Haskins with respect to Eades’: he was the “go to” guy for many years for those of us who were trying to replace an item that we didn’t know the name of but could describe it’s appearance and function. Many a “DIY” project was salvaged with the help of Mr. Haskins!–Ray Paquette
Comments about the story:–Bristol Stomp Shoes by Charles Jay Dale Costello mentioned the Mulvey’s, a small candy store beside Central School where Ike Smith’s Barbershop is currently. What I remember is the patience of Job shown by Mrs. Mulvey as we pondered what to buy with the nickel we had, not a small sum in my youth. Everything seemed to be “2 for a penny”, or “three for a penny” so the decisions made at Mulvey’s was often our first lesson in personal financial management. The right decision could fill the little paper bag that our purchases were stowed in!–Ray Paquette
Linda Gallipeau-Johnston–Linda, I remember a candy store right next to Central school – got lots of good stuff there (where Ike Smith has his barber shop) – the lady that ran it was May Malve at least that’s what my memory is telling me! I thought it was just a candy store – anyone else remember this or something else? Phew – thank heaven – didn’t want to think I had been dreaming this for so many year not to mention the candy I ate. The store was red tarpaper brick back then with the big Central School fence separating the properties.
Gerald A. HASKINS–One of Eades Hardware Longest Employees in Carleton Place.
HASKINS, Gerald A. Employee of Eades Home Hardware for over 50 years. Peacefully at Stoneridge Manor in his 89th year. Beloved husband of the late Ruth (Giles). Loving father of Diane (Bill Rutan), and the late Judy (John Warren). Dear Grandpa of Kim (Perry Hutt), Kevin (Doreen) Warren, Todd (Tracie) Rutan, and Ian. Great-grandpa to Jenni-Lynn and Mckenzie. Dear brother of Gladys Watt, and a special friend of Phyllis. Friends may call at the Carleton Place Chapel of Tubman Funeral Homes, 61 Lake Ave. West, Carleton Place on Friday December 19th from 12 noon until time of service in the Chapel at 2 p.m. Interment to follow at Prestonvale Cemetery. In lieu of flowers donations to Stoneridge Manor Auxiliary, 256 High Street, Carleton Place K7C 1X1.
This matchbook was a give away from the Olympia Restaurant in Carleton Place. Located at 101 Bridge Street, the restaurant, with its booths, curved counter and red leather stools, was a local institution. First opened by Louis and James Laskaris as the Olympic Candy Store in 1920, it was later sold to Jim Antonakos in 1958.
A fire destroyed the building in 1960, but it was rebuilt and opened again in 1961. I
n 1960, the New York Cafe was destroyed in a fire as was the Olympia Restaurant, in the next building, where in the 1920’s Louis Laskaris had the Olympia Candy Store. In 1958, James Laskaris sold the family business to Jim Antonakos. Howard Little’s Barbershop located in the building was also destroyed in the fire
The Olympia closed it’s doors for good in 2000 and is still greatly missed. Heritage Carleton Place
lindaseccaspina 