Today’s old ad comes from the same booklet that had yesterday’s ad for Routley’s Motel, published in 1954.
Smith’s Department Store on Ouellette Ave. was a long time local fixture. Founded in 1914 as the C.H. Smith Co., the downtown store was expanded in 1925.
The main store on Ouellette following the 1925 expansion. Photo from the collection of the Windsor Archives.
The Smith’s annex on Pitt St., built in 1928. Photo from the collection of the Windsor Archives.
The beginning of the end of the downtown store occured on October 23, 1974, when Smith’s opened a 90,000 sq. ft. department store in the Mall. On October 10, 1975, Marks & Spencer bought Smith’s, the Downtown store was closed on August 14, 1976.
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M.O.M.,
It was Smith's for sure. I asked! LOL
We'd go to Kresge's and sit at the bar and have meat pies. It's funny now. I would never in a million years consider taking a city bus with my little kids to spend an afternoon in downtown Windsor. Sad, isn't it?
My Mom said she would go to her OB appointments downtown then walk over to Kresge's and buy a few cream puffs and eat them on the bus on the way home after.
Oh the memories this blog brings out....
Love this Blog! Keep up the great work.
George if it's so bad you do have a choice?
It's called pack your bags and leave!
Please let the door hit you on the way out.
Thanks.
Guido, That isn't a choice and you know it. I can't stand people who say if you don't like it leave. That mentality is as bad as a person who constantly complains but does nothing about it. George has his opinion and he should be voicing it freely.
I agree somewhat to what he has stated. We keep voting for the same people in Federal, Provincial and to a degree municipal politics all the while expecting things to change. Herb Gray was an MP for 40 years and the west side has little to show for it. Other than the casino what has the NDP brought us?
Windsorites love to complain but how many of them pick up a phone and call councillors or the mayor's office to voice their displeasure? Not many! How many take action? But a few. Just look at everyone running for the burbs and then whine that gas prices are too high. We are our own worst enemies. How about we come together collectively and make POSITIVE changes for the betterment of the entire area? It sure beats the "My way or the highway" or "pack up and leave" comments. I believe that george is just fed up and it throwing in the towel. I am not there...yet, are you?
George, I do not get your point because I don't think people in Windsor are "dumb and ignorant."
George doesn't have a point, he just likes to get people going. He's done it here before. His next post will tell you how the unions are somehow responsible for the demolition of Smith's. One of the unfortunate side effects of the internet is anonymous geeks hiding behind their computer screens. It's best to ignore them, like you would an annoying child.
Yes Me it is a choice. Everyone has a choice.. if your at a job you don't like do you stay or do you choose to move on to a different job?, if your in a bad relationship do you stay or do you choose to move on?. Life is all about choices.
Why are these people always getting re-elected? because obviously the majority are happy with the decisions that have been made by these politicians and as long as the politicians keep the majority satisfied then the majority will choose to vote for them time after time. See again it's about choice.
Where is the building in the top photo? Is it still around? and what does it house now if it is around?
george if you arent happy with living in windsor just leave and dont come back
Jane, they're all long gone.
I used to shop here when I was a kid. Spent many of my precious allowance and babysitting dollars in this store! I think it closed a couple of years before I moved from town but I don't recall shopping here much as a young adult. My memories if this place are pretty mixed up with Bartlett's I think I would love to see photos of the interior of this place if any exist. I remember a room where they sold records - lots of 45's - and I'm wondering if that was Smith's or Bartlett's?