From the Windsor Daily Star – December 30, 1939:
- After alterations are completed the new greater Diane Shoe Store will be located on Ouellette avenue in the present building. The new store will have three times its former floor space, with the first floor, basement and mezzanine shoe departments. It will be the only air-conditioned shoe store in Windsor and one of the most beautiful in the United States or Canada. The Weingarden brothers, who operate the Diane Shoe Stores, have been in business for the past 25 years, but the name Weingarden can be carried back to 44 years of shoe retailing in Windsor. The present Diane Shoe Store on Ouellette avenue will be closed on January 15 and reopen March 1. Temporary location will be 515 Ouellette avenue (the store formerly occupied by Baker’s Shoes)
Looks like they’re still around, although now located on Ottawa Street. Based on the article above, the business of Diane Shoes was started in 1914, that make it 99 years old this year…
There’s still a few locally owned businesses that date back to long ago. It’s impressive to see, especially in a city this size. I wonder what locally owned family business is the oldest? Moir Crane (my family) might be a good contender, as it was started in 1890 by my Great Great grandfather.
Where was the Ouellette location? It seems their temporary one was where Behind the Wood is located now.
The name of this business has always intrigued me grammatically speaking. Why is it called Diane Shoes instead of Diane’s Shoes?
There is also the Diane Motel located at the corner of Tecumseh Rd E. and Glendale. It is similarly named Diane Motel instead of Diane’s Motel.
Anybody know why this is?
That long-lived Diane Motel sign with the majorette is a small comfort; it’s not nearly as wonderful as the N&D neon was but, hey, at least it’s still there.
It is an amusing pecularity to the Windsor area that many want to add an S or even the possessive ‘S to the names of places of employment and commercial establishments. Autoworkers say they work at Ford’s or Chrysler’s but for some reason not GM’s. But do they drive a Ford’s automobile,, own a Bell’s telephone eat Macintosh’s apples and live in Windsor’s city? Note how the name of the store in the picture is clearly Diane Shoe but morphs to Diane Shoe Stores, then Diane Shoes and finally Diane’s Shoes in the blog.
Very cool post Andrew. Thank you.
They actually returned to Ouellette in the 1980’s. This was a 2nd location in the building that is now the Post Office. Unfortunately the decline of Downtown swallowed it up. It is nice that the Ottawa Street store is still there. (I think – I haven’t been there in a while.
how about AL BOULIANE SHOES to show from the past. hes one of my neighbours now, nicest person you would ever want to meet. hes in his 80s now but keeps up his property looking like a golf course. im sure the same held true for his business. lets see an AL BOULINE SHOES posting.