This question is for Dante, Maria & Mara (or any other readers who grew up in the area). Do any of you guys remember this building? It is on Cataraqui near the corner of Marentette?
The building has been vacant since I moved in to the area in 2001. The photo above is actually from 2003, and the building has been deteriorating ever since. The stucco has fallen off the top and the bricks are coming off the lower storefront at an alarming rate.
The building however has always interested me. Any memories or ideas about its history?
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Yes, this was Len's Variety, our family corner store in the neighborhood core of Windsor from 1969 till 1984. Immaculate Conception School and St.Edmonds school(French)was right across the street. Owned by our parents Margaret & Leonard Rock. Yes...I use to play guitar behind the counter, learning songs and writing songs since I was 12. The family would take turns watching the store, Diane, Mike, Laura and Aunt Lily. An older neighborhood of many nationalities, but mainly French Canadian and Italian at the time. There sure were some character people in the neighborhood...(Shirley, Warren, the Pepsi Kids, little Dorothy, etc...)
We had the Len's Variety gang of kids that hung around the store and open lot beside the store with picnic tables and just good old fashion fun, especially in the summertime. In the Winter my father Leonard Rock, made a skating rink for the kids as well. Then grew vegetables in a garden on the lot in the summertime. Things were much simpler and fun back then. I believe the started out in the 1940s as a barbershop. The building should be torn down. Peace.
I remember the store from grade 1 and 2 (that would make it around 1975-76 or something like that
The building was in fact owned by Doris & Darcy Schincariol and called Doris's Confectionery. It was sold in 1965-1966 to Mrs. Pizzutti and family. Then, my parents Leonard & Margaret Rock purchased it in the early 70s and renamed it Len's Variety. Leonard doubled the size of the store with an addition in the late 70s. They and all the kids worked there and owned it approx. 17 years. It changed hands a couple of times after that and there was a small fire which left it in disrepair ever since.
Modern Cleaners was never there.
Rick Rock? Did you used to own a guitar shop on Tecumseh / Hall-ish? I do beleive I own a marron, left handed Vantage that used to belong to you! My dad bought it for me years ago.
I'm pretty sure he got me my first bass from you as well. It was an off-white, upside down Strat body with bass strings on it so it could be used left handed.
Red head........one of the best guitarist this city's ever seen?? I know you knew him!
*maroon* I ment to type maroon up there lol
Len's Variety was my grandpa's store. It is cool to see that people remember it. I remember the garden in the summertime and it was usually quite busy after the school let out. Cheers.