Mark this date down. I discovered when it is that Windsorites decided that big box shopping was way better than supporting the local shops.
It’s been going on for 40 years. However 40 years ago, those stores still stocked items made in this country. Now I realize, that many jobs have moved overseas and they’re never coming back. At least the best we can do is buy those Chinese made goods at a local business, rather that saving .60 cents by buying at Wal-Mart.
From the Windsor Star – September 3, 1968:
Now in contrast to the old here is the new type of shopping centre – typical of today’s design in building and with spacious parking areas nearby.
While today’s shopping may seem more impersonal, the experience is a thrill for most shoppers because of the vast array of merchandise and the convenience offered the customer.
The photo taken at Eastown, the big centre at Tecumseh and Lauzon.
This type of centre is the new general store.
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Okay, yes this was an early big-box retail location, and yes, it was the beginning of the end. But you're forgetting, that if you looked just to the right of this photo, you would have seen the East town N&D. That was one of the last locally owned grocery stores in the city; certainly one of the most personal settings for grocery shopping that I've ever seen. So yes, big box, but not neccessarily bad big box.. as much of an oxymoron as that is. But still, a wonderful grocery store.
And as for shopping downtown for haute couture for those who snubbed Wolco and Kmart, you're forgetting that Kresge's was downtown for ages. Even I remember that location from when I was a kid in the late '80's. Downtown was a broad mix of everything then, we all know that. It certainly wasn't a pricey, chic venue; if we ever go that way, you know we'll be just as doomed as we are with the booze barns.
We need to have a thread on N&D. It was really an institution. I grew up in South Windsor. Did the Easttown location have Steve the sucker man too? Remember how they actually had baggers and how they would take the groceries to your car? Pre-scanners -- the cashiers actually had to ring in the prices...
I worked a Dominion store from 1974 to 1983. Hollenger Enterprises bought out the chain back in 1978 and diverted all of Dominion store profits to their Algoma Steel Co. holdings. Thus selling the chain to A&P after all the money was gone. Hollenger enterprise was run by Conrad and Montague Black. In the first year of the purchase of the Dominion store chain, they had big plans for that paricular store at Tecumseh Mall. They were going to expand that store by building a huge Super-store right in front of the old one taking up most of that parking lot. My Union stuart informed me that all our job were safe and we had nothing to worry about. We were all duped and the Chain was sold in 1983.