Before The Moose in Carleton Place There Was—

Thanks to the Carleton Place and Beckwith Heritage Museum for the photos

Levines

The store began in 1921, and was owned and operated by Phillip and Leah Levine until 1983. In February 1986 there was a destructive fire but the building was rebuilt to match the original! Here is a photo of the building in circa 1925

Boomers

The Moose

Moore House- Renwicks- Next to mac’s Milk on Bridge Street four corners

The Move

HPIM0932.JPG

Moore House-Roy Brown Museum- Chamber of Commerce- across from the Town Hall

George’s Pizza on Bridge Street

The Hair Loft/ E2

You’ve probably seen the front of The Hair Loft and thought they were renovating. No Siree Bob! Someone stole their flowers first, and then they ripped the planter off the wall. What kind of neighbourly spirit is that? This is a small business that is trying to make Bridge Street look beautiful. Offer a lending hand or words of encouragement please. No way these gals deserve this!

What is here now?

Again thank you to the Carleton Place and Beckwith Heritage Museum for all their help

Buy Linda Secaspina’s Books— Flashbacks of Little Miss Flash Cadilac– Tilting the Kilt-Vintage Whispers of Carleton Place and 4 others on Amazon or Amazon Canada or Wisteria at 62 Bridge Street in Carleton Place

The Day The Moose in Carleton Place Burned Down

March 1st, 1986.

The Levine building (the only Carleton Place heritage structure with a *boom facade) was destroyed by fire in the last week of February 1986. Built in 1856 the Bridge street frame house was in the process of being renovated after being vacant since the early 80’s.

Fire Chief Ken Drummond and 20 volunteers from the Ocean Wave Fire Dept. battled the blaze from 1 am until 3:30 am but were unable to save the building. The cause of the blaze was not immediately determined. The two storey building had been bought by two Perth architects specializing in historical re-construction.

Architects John Edwards and John Stewart had received a $30,000 provincial grant to restore the building to include a general store. The building had been designated heritage three years previous sparking an uproar from nearby merchants because of its derelict condition.

August 26, 1986.

After a month of haggling with the town of Carleton Place; a permit was issued to rebuild the main street heritage building destroyed by fire. The building permit had been stalled because the town council wanted the structure to be set back 10 feet from the Bridge Street sidewalk. Edwards and Stewart said they would lose the $30,000 provincial heritage grant if the building location was moved.

John Edwards told the local newspapers that the Levine building was insured, but added the value of the damage was difficult to access because the building had already been gutted by workers. The roof which was badly damaged by fire was to be replaced anyways

Reconstruction was to begin immediately and completion was set for early fall.

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A Little History 

Judith Hughes owned the building before Edwards and Stewart and had applied for Heritage status which would allow her to apply for provincial restoration grants. She began fixing and painting windows– but was ordered to stop work by building inspector Murray Sadler. Hughes added she intended to continue with the repairs whether or not the structure was designated heritage. Heritage status was delayed for a month to allow council to consider a conservation board report.

Many of the local business people wanted the building torn down. Ralph Shaw, spokesman for neighbouring businesses opposed having a heritage tag for the Levine building as the building did not conform with the architectural styles of the town. In fact it was considered a white elephant.

More on Abraham Levine this week.

Related Reading:

How to Paint “The Moose”

Top Photo -This photograph from the Carleton Place and Beckwith Heritage Museum collection shows the remains of what is now “The Thirsty Moose” pub after a devastating fire in 1986. This building housed Levine’s junk shop in earlier times.

*Boom Style (1875-1890)

The Boom Style shows off the prosperity of the Gold Rush and the resultant economic boom of the 1880’s. It was also a reminder of the bustling lumber town days in Carleton Place

More on Abraham Levine this week.

Related Reading:

How to Paint “The Moose”

Buy Linda Secaspina’s Books— Flashbacks of Little Miss Flash Cadilac– Tilting the Kilt-Vintage Whispers of Carleton Place and 4 others on Amazon or Amazon Canada or Wisteria at 62 Bridge Street in Carleton Place

Sharing Fudge With the Town of Carleton Place

I had a list of things to do for Ladies Who Lunch today, and one of them was to bring miniature hat boxes to Judy Langdon from The Cheddar Stop on Highway 7. I can’t walk in that store without almost fainting from the Ottawa Valley Fudge I swear. Judy is graciously providing fudge table samplers for the ladies on June 6th. I was going to meet Judy Pallister and Brenda Mattey for lunch and decided it might make a nice treat.

It was hot outside, and even though I was sweating in my hoodie, the fudge was still calling my name. Judy carefully placed a few slices in the box so everyone could share. As I got in my car I noticed my deodorant wasn’t working, (darn natural stuff) so I decided to make a pit stop at home. When I looked in the mirror my hair kind of sat there so I got the crimping iron out, plugged it in, and tried to look alive. When I went to grab it, the darn thing fell in the sink. I stood there for 5 minutes debating if I would get electrocuted if I touched it. Oh what the hell, I picked it and nothing happened. I was good to go!

Clutching the bag of fudge I ran into The Moose and had a great lunch with Judy and Brenda. I found out what a Miche bag is, (Hand and shoulder bags based on a system of magnetic interchangeable bag covers and accompanying accessories) and that The Moose has awesome Bruchetta. Two important things in life I tell you- LOL. Brenda treated, so I made sure the waitress at The Moose got a piece of fudge. I didn’t take a picture as I respect ‘the bubba” and one of the waitresses scares the heck out of me.:)

Next was on to Wisteria and signed a few of my books and introduced Judy to our gals at Wisteria. Gail Sheen MacDonald was there and she also enjoyed a piece of chocolate fudge. God, she looks almost orgasmic!

I thought of Krista Lee next at Applecheeks but instead headed to see Amanda from Simple Pleasures Adult Boutique. Yes, fudge and naughty things go together. Wasn’t there fudge in 91/2 weeks? Wrong movie?

Would there be a piece left over for Krista?

On to the Carleton Place and Beckwith Heritage Museum to get some information on A.W. Bell for a story I am doing. I bartered for information with Jennifer Fenwick Irwin for a piece of fudge. How cool was that?  Being who she is, she shared it with the Museum summer employee Jane.

One piece left- miles away from Krista. What to do? What to do?  Only one way to go! Open Sesame! Goodbye fudge!

Sorry Krista-next time.:)

P.S- I was told to edit this picture by someone close to me as it might not be work friendly LOL

So why would I write this silly blog? Because if every single person shared one thing with JUST ONE other person in Carleton Place today, then this town would get one step closer to becoming the town that everyone else would envy. Food for thought boys and girls!

Thanks for the duck Judy! Huggggg

The Carleton Place Ale Trail — What “Ales” You Asks The Ted Report?

Another Carleton Place Ted MacDonald  report! 

Have you ever wondered what the most popular beers are in downtown Carleton Place? Lets take a stroll down Bridge Street and find out.

First stop is the Thirsty Moose on the west side. We asked Jamie (niceJamie not big Jamie) what are the best sellers. They are Coors Lite,Canadian and Creemore Springs. If Gail did not go there Coors Lite may not have been at the top. I usually have a Heineken when I drop in. The Moose is a great sports bar since Bubba took it over. They organize trips to the Sens games and will have golf or football etc, on the many Tvs but not so loud you can’t have a chat. Except on Thursday, which is wing night, and can be a little noisy but fun.

Next up on the east side is St. James Gate. Most popular beers according to Jamie (another Jamie, but this one is a tall pleasant young lady) and Rebecca (her sister Jenna works at the Moose) are Harp, Perth Amber and Kronnenburg Blanc. I often meet my old friends from Stats Canada, Carl and Dave, there on a Friday evening to have a little computer techie talk. They usually will have the aforementioned Blanc and I have a Guinness. In case you didn’t know Guinness is brewed at St. James Gate in Dublin hence the pub name.

Let’s Stay on the east side and stop at Ballygiblins. Another British Pub owned by great guy Derick. Favourite beers are Beaus, Barking Squirrel and Ashton Amber. I always order the Beaus Lugtread. A great beer from Vancleek Hill. A few years ago I had a broken leg and the Beaus brothers would deliver an ice cold keg to our home and I would hook it up to my draft system but that is another story.

Now closed:(

Editor’s Note: Ted- I think we would really like to hear that story! 🙂

Now across the street to The Queens, one of Carleton Place’s oldest establishments. They are selling a lot of Coors lite, Canadian and Bud Lite. Gail and I were there for St. Patrick’s day so I had a green beer of some sort. Gail, of course, had a Coors Lite, bottle, no glass. (inside joke). They had a great band and we are hoping for more live music at this wonderful spot.

Over the river to Bell Street and the Waterfront Gastro Pub. Worth going there just for the name but they have some great beers also. Arguably the best drought taps in town. Their most popular beers are Red Racer, Keith’s Pale Ale and Kronnenburg Blanc. We went there during the“Walmart Blackout” as north of the river still had power. A lot of people went to Almonte because they thought the whole town was out but they just could have gone to the Bistro. Don’t wait for the next power outage. Overlooking the Mississippi, they truly have the best patio in the summer time. Hope they get the Blues Band back on Sundays. Check it out.

Back across the bridge and near the town-hall on Mill Street is Slackonis. Not a pub but they also have a great patio in the summer where you can sit out and watch the river flow. According to Rob the favourite is the Italian beer Moretti, however, they sell more wine than beer. Try a glass of Pinot Grigio for white fans or a Cabernet Sauvignonfor those of us who prefer red while sitting by the dam.

Also on the west side of Bridge Street is the Excuses Bar and Grill.This is attached to the Visions Bowling Centre so you can have a cold one after knocking all those pins down.

Not downtown but a worth a look is the Tap House Grill and Sports Bar in the McNeely Plaza. Their most popular beverages are Bud, Bud Lite and Keith’s IPA. I will have to give it a closer look when I can get a DD to
give me a lift.

You can check out most of these establishments on Facebook.

https://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Thirsty-Moose-Pub-Eatery/45746231945?fref=ts

https://www.facebook.com/stjamesgatecp?fref=ts

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Ballygiblins-Restaurant-Pub/134544876572777?fref=ts

https://www.facebook.com/pages/The-New-Queens-and-The-Kings-Kitchen/744729362230074?fref=ts

https://www.facebook.com/TheWaterfrontGastropub?fref=ts

https://www.facebook.com/Slackonis?fref=ts

https://www.facebook.com/taphousegrillandbar?fref=ts

Don’t forget to read Ted’s Carleton Place’s Good Eats blog he did last week!

The Carleton Place Ale Trail — What “Ales” You Asks The Ted Report?

Another Carleton Place Ted MacDonald  report! 

Have you ever wondered what the most popular beers are in downtown Carleton Place? Lets take a stroll down Bridge Street and find out.

First stop is the Thirsty Moose on the west side. We asked Jamie (niceJamie not big Jamie) what are the best sellers. They are Coors Lite,Canadian and Creemore Springs. If Gail did not go there Coors Lite may not have been at the top. I usually have a Heineken when I drop in. The Moose is a great sports bar since Bubba took it over. They organize trips to the Sens games and will have golf or football etc, on the many Tvs but not so loud you can’t have a chat. Except on Thursday, which is wing night, and can be a little noisy but fun.

Next up on the east side is St. James Gate. Most popular beers according to Jamie (another Jamie, but this one is a tall pleasant young lady) and Rebecca (her sister Jenna works at the Moose) are Harp, Perth Amber and Kronnenburg Blanc. I often meet my old friends from Stats Canada, Carl and Dave, there on a Friday evening to have a little computer techie talk. They usually will have the aforementioned Blanc and I have a Guinness. In case you didn’t know Guinness is brewed at St. James Gate in Dublin hence the pub name.

Let’s Stay on the east side and stop at Ballygiblins. Another British Pub owned by great guy Derick. Favourite beers are Beaus, Barking Squirrel and Ashton Amber. I always order the Beaus Lugtread. A great beer from Vancleek Hill. A few years ago I had a broken leg and the Beaus brothers would deliver an ice cold keg to our home and I would hook it up to my draft system but that is another story.

Editor’s Note: Ted- I think we would really like to hear that story! 🙂

Now across the street to The Queens, one of Carleton Place’s oldest establishments. They are selling a lot of Coors lite, Canadian and Bud Lite. Gail and I were there for St. Patrick’s day so I had a green beer of some sort. Gail, of course, had a Coors Lite, bottle, no glass. (inside joke). They had a great band and we are hoping for more live music at this wonderful spot.

Over the river to Bell Street and the Waterfront Gastro Pub. Worth going there just for the name but they have some great beers also. Arguably the best drought taps in town. Their most popular beers are Red Racer, Keith’s Pale Ale and Kronnenburg Blanc. We went there during the“Walmart Blackout” as north of the river still had power. A lot of people went to Almonte because they thought the whole town was out but they just could have gone to the Bistro. Don’t wait for the next power outage. Overlooking the Mississippi, they truly have the best patio in the summer time. Hope they get the Blues Band back on Sundays. Check it out.

Back across the bridge and near the town-hall on Mill Street is Slackonis. Not a pub but they also have a great patio in the summer where you can sit out and watch the river flow. According to Rob the favourite is the Italian beer Moretti, however, they sell more wine than beer. Try a glass of Pinot Grigio for white fans or a Cabernet Sauvignonfor those of us who prefer red while sitting by the dam.

Also on the west side of Bridge Street is the Excuses Bar and Grill.This is attached to the Visions Bowling Centre so you can have a cold one after knocking all those pins down.

Not downtown but a worth a look is the Tap House Grill and Sports Bar in the McNeely Plaza. Their most popular beverages are Bud, Bud Lite and Keith’s IPA. I will have to give it a closer look when I can get a DD to
give me a lift.

You can check out most of these establishments on Facebook.

https://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Thirsty-Moose-Pub-Eatery/45746231945?fref=ts

https://www.facebook.com/stjamesgatecp?fref=ts

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Ballygiblins-Restaurant-Pub/134544876572777?fref=ts

https://www.facebook.com/pages/The-New-Queens-and-The-Kings-Kitchen/744729362230074?fref=ts

https://www.facebook.com/TheWaterfrontGastropub?fref=ts

https://www.facebook.com/Slackonis?fref=ts

https://www.facebook.com/taphousegrillandbar?fref=ts

Don’t forget to read Ted’s Carleton Place’s Good Eats blog he did last week!