Greater Hamilton Shopping Centre. Hamilton Historical collection. Nov. 4, 1960
The departure of U.S. retail giant Target offers a contrast to the days when people formed lasting bonds with classic department stores and food stores across the city of Hamilton – architectural gems downtown like The Arcade and Eaton’s – where elevator operators wore white gloves and ladies sipped tea in the Green Room. As The Spectator’s Jon Wells writes, we once flocked to these stores to relax, aspire and shop with a shared faith that this was as good as it gets.
Woolworth’s store. Hamilton Historical collection. March 9, 1966
The city is full of shopping history, including the opening of the brand new Woolworth’s.
Efficient waitresses await orders in the gleaming restaurant on the main floor of
F.W. Wooworth Co.
King Street East store.
Hamilton Historical collection. Mar. 9, 1966
F.W. Woolworth Co.. King St. East. The cosmetics section is near the west doors. A light fragrance of perfume will guide the shopper to the area. March 9, 1966. Hamilton Historical collection.
At Woolworth’s, women’s hats and lots of mirrors are in the basement. Low sleek counters in walnut arborite have replaced the old style displays.
Hamilton historical collection. Mar. 9, 1966
Record display, Woolworth’s , King St. East. Hamilton Historical collection. March 9, 1966
All walls in Woolworth’s have been refurbished, and many have special displays. Prints and frames, carpet runners and throw rugs are in easy view . The extra wide aisles aid mothers shopping with tots.
Hamilton Historical collection. March 9, 1966
Draperies are located in Woolworth’s basement , joined to the main floor by wide public stairways and the most modern type of escalator. Hamilton Historical collection. March 9, 1966
When Simpsons-Sears opened, it was a big event, drawing head office execs from Chicago.
Simpson-Sears, Hamilton Historical collection. Nov. 16, 1954
Edgar G. Burton (right), president of Simpson-Sears Ltd. , visits the new store. Left to Right: General Manager Gene Coffman, Findley Williams, manager of national store planning and display for the parent company in Chicago, and Robert C. Gibson, VP merchandising. Nov. 12, 1954. Hamilton Historical collection
Simpson-Sears staff. Nov. 8, 1954. Hamilton Historical collection.
At Simpson-Sears, the big pre-Easter sale is a success as shoppers throng the big east end store. Hamilton Historical collection.
Fennell Square was a popular destination.
Agnew Surpass interior. Undated. Hamilton Historical collection.
Fairweather’s. Fennell Square. Hamilton Historical collection
Fairweather’s interior.
Hamilton Historical collection. Fennell Square
Loblaws. Hamilton Historical collection.
Fennell Square. Nov. 6, 1963
Woolco Plaza.
Hamilton Historical collection. Upper James and Fennell. Undated.
Brewer’s Retail, Fennell square.
Hamilton Historical collection. Nov. 18, 1959
Dominion store.
Hamilton Historical collection. Nov. 18, 1959. Fennell Square
Woolworth’s and Maher.
Fennell Square. Hamilton Historical collection. Nov. 18, 1959
Reitman’s store, Fennell Square. Hamilton Historical collection. Nov. 18, 1959
Eatons was a prime destination. Redevelopment began in the 1950s.
Redevelopment of the James Street North area takes place next year when the old City Hall is demolished to make way for the extension to the T. Eaton Co. Hamilton Historical collection. Feb. 8,1959In 1957, Eaton’s new escalator offered ‘rapid transit’ from the basement to the fifth floor.Mrs. Gordon Paterson goes through revolving door at Eatons, December, 1970. Spec Archives.Eaton’s heavy-goods driver Lloyd Oakes, left, and delivery man Gill Marcotte in new uniforms, 1971. Hamilton Historical collection.Eaton’s Christmas window. Hamilton Historical collection. Dec. 13, 1961
Riding the Eatons elevator with always-polite operators was a thrill for kids. Spec Archives. Dec. 19, 1988
Downtown stores started to close in the late 60’s and early 70’s. The openniing of the Centre Mall was the start of the end. Very few cities have been able to return their downtown centres to the past.
Downtown department stores closed because of rapidly rising business taxes. The stores’ owners practically begged city council to provide relief. In a Hamilton Spectator story, they argued that they could afford to pay their staff and their real estate taxes and make a profit, but there was no profit once business taxes were also levied. They said that if they left, they were never coming back. There was no relief forthcoming from council, so they left. There are currently no department stores in downtown Hamilton, a part of the city that has suffered through thirty years of economic decline and stagnation.
Downtown stores started to close in the late 60’s and early 70’s. The openniing of the Centre Mall was the start of the end. Very few cities have been able to return their downtown centres to the past.
Downtown department stores closed because of rapidly rising business taxes. The stores’ owners practically begged city council to provide relief. In a Hamilton Spectator story, they argued that they could afford to pay their staff and their real estate taxes and make a profit, but there was no profit once business taxes were also levied. They said that if they left, they were never coming back. There was no relief forthcoming from council, so they left. There are currently no department stores in downtown Hamilton, a part of the city that has suffered through thirty years of economic decline and stagnation.