A little recent history along Howard Ave…
Old Factory
+ Demolition
= Stucco clad Big Box!
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I have to admit that I was very surprised to see the site redeveloped as quickly as it was. I thought it was destined to be a vacant lot for years to come…
Correct me if I’m wrong, but isn’t this branch of Shoppers similar to what Ingram’s on Gilles used to be? If there’s enough demand for that ^^^ What caused Ingram’s demise?
I hate parking lots in the front. They should have moved to building closer and put the parking in the rear.
Yup! There’s no better way to create a wasteland than put all that paved space at the road like that! Everyone understands that you “put your best face forward”, and by throwing the acres of asphalt out front like that, what is this saying about this business? When did we officially accept such contempt for our public spaces?
On Lakeshore Dr in Mississauga, they did move the buildings close to the street. The only problem is the entrances off of the sidewalk is fake and you still have to go around and park in the lot BEHIND the building to enter. Why not two entrances with a till at either end? Most stores have two cashiers anyway.
I remember that building very well. I believe that was Toledo Scale?
The Essex Terminal Railway used to have a branch line “The Factory Branch”) that ran along Hanna St. and served a lot of industries in that area (Champion Spark Plug, Kelsey-Hayes, etc). There is actually one spot where the track is still in place. (although overgrown). This branch was torn up in the early 90s, but is still shown on many maps.
Anyway, I don’t think that Shoppers Home Healthcare is a “new” business for the area, I believe it used to be located on Parent, but they moved to the Howard location when the old factory was razed.
It kills me how people complain and moan about an old building being torn down that they probably have never even stepped foot in or barely realized it was there in the first place. We need to change and evolve our city, not bog ourselves down with the anchors of the past. Sure lets keep all these old buildings no one uses, what will that get us? We’ll end up exactly like Detroit, thousands of abandoned buildings delapedated and dcaying all over the city attractiing rats and vagrents and being nothing more then a drug den or a fire hazzard. So how many more years should we let grace hospital just sit there rotting eh? Knock it down. Sure if a building is historical and has a PURPOSE, and isn’t preventing ddvelopmental improvement, i’m all for it. I hate that big box debacle out on Walker as much as anyone here….its nothing but a gian clusterf**k. Some of those store should have been built in the downtown area to re-vitalize it, jsut like the arena should have.
My point is, instead of compliang about it here on a little know (But very outstanding) blog… some of the people here should step up, work with the city to find a purpose for these buildings or buy and develop them yourselves. You want to save an old building with a neighbourhood grocery store, open one yourself, but i think you’ll find the same results the previous owner did….you won’t survive…why? Changing local ecconomics. Odds are the neighbourhood has decayed or your overhead will be too high. What was once a vibrent neighbourhood full of hardworking families has turened into a crime infested sesspool full of junkies, crack-whores and wellfare deadbeats. In fact, Windsor is fastly becomming the Wefare capital of Canada. Now how do you deveolp in a case like that?
Let’s loose the self-rightous attitude some of us have in this city and open up our eyes to reality. This city is dying…All their doing is properly disposing of the bodies.
Not You> Extremely successful cities reuse old buildings. Jane Jacobs wrote that new ideas need old buildings. No new ideas will come out of a structure like the one built. That needs incentive and leadership — that’s why it happened in Toronto. The Detroit comparison, the “drug den” comment, are ridiculous.
Toronto isn’t a one trick pony relying on a dying industry inhabited by a bunch of whiney over-stuffed union workers…that’s why they can make it work there.
^yeah, that’s what it says on the Welcome to Toronto sign.
“This city is dying”
oh great….the mayor’s catchphrase is catching on.
Not you, so should we allow what is happening with the hollowing out of our core for sprawl and suburbs (that don’t pay taxes to Windsor)? Since the mantra you stated does just exactly that! Don’t believe me I will use your example: DETROIT.
We aren’t bemaoning the fact that the building had to go. We are bemoaning the fact that the building could have been better situated on the property.
As for not doing anything. A lot of us here have and do a lot of things to try and keep Windsor looking good with GOOD redevelopment proposals and diversifying our economy. But there are only so many of us but a hole hell of a lot of you. That, is the issue…poor mentality and not seeing the whole picture. Just now, now, now is what people like yourself want. We want and DEMAND better. Don’t you?
Rob, Toledo Scale used to be between Lens and Memorial Drive on Howard.
Sounds like ‘not you’ is another ‘david’….hmmm…. Not a fan of the big box blitz either but occasionally I’ll step inside a certain few. I’m on the fence about saving vs replacing when it comes to buildings in this city. It completely depends on the building in question and the location. Eyesores and useless buildings are probably better off if someone has a plan to replace rather than let them sit and rot further. The WFCU center is nice but I really wish it could have been located downtown (or close to it). At least the barn will be left standing after it’s all said and done.
Not you: what does an ‘overstuffed union’ worker have to do with this subject? Same old mudslinging in this city…. I think it would be alot more productive if people worked together instead of this crap.
Toledo scale used to be in the neighbourhood I grew up in- South Walkerville. I remember it somewhat when I was a kid…I think part of the building was orange coloured brick or tile and I remember the sign located right at the Ypres/Howard corner.
Andrew- do you have any old pictures of Toledo scale?
I don’t get down Howard that much could you just give some street areas or block numbers so that I get an idea where the building is at ??? Like between Ottawa & Tecumseh. Also where was the Howard block recent photo located ??? Sorry ( STUCK IN THE EASTSIDE ) !!!
Wannick- the pic of the Shoppers is located on Howard just north of Tecumseh Rd (a block or two). I forget the name of the side street that is a crossroad to Howard (Hanna??) but it also runs along the back of the medical center that is on the corner of Howard and Tecumseh. I’m not sure what the factory was just before it was torn down but I do remember it being A&H Bolt Co. as recent as a few years ago.
The old factory used to house a fire extinguisher business. When that closed, the building was taken over by a Church – believe it or not! As far as I knew, that was still the case until I saw Andrew’s pictures. The strictly utilitarian, cold and soulless concrete box that sits there now is quite apt, really. In my opinion, it perfectly reflects Shopper’s attitude. It also looks like it would be more at home in the 60s era Soviet Union.
Ingrams used to be located in the Medical Building on the east side of Ouellette in the 1300 block right next door to Big V – until Shoppers took it over. I remember being very surprised when, driving past, I noticed that their new location on Giles was closed. There was something about in the paper but I don’t remember the details. From all accounts, they enjoyed an excellent reputation;especially in an attentive and sensitive approach to their clients. I am sure that they are still missed.
Terry the church is located in the old (Coca-Cola I think) bottling company building and is still standing next to this photo posted.
A&H bolt sounds familiar for what used to be here.
Thanks, Guido!
It was A&H bolt at the end of its life…
It used to be Champion Spark Pulg originally…
http://internationalmetropolis.com/?p=92
I don’t even know what Home HealthCare means? Is that a do-it-yourself spinoff like Home Depot? Instead of waiting in the emergency for 7 hours for a cut, go there and buy surgical needles, string and a medical book to do-it-yourself? 😉
been listening to a fire that’s going on now just down the street from there. sounds like they were able to save the building though. posted a photo on facebook but from my balcony, not from the scene.
Commercial/industrial building or a house?
Classic Auto Body Shop. A yellow brick building on the east side of the street.
ANDREW!! some turd left his computer on here at work SO! i like what you’ve done with the place! i don’t like that you forgot to tell me about the stucco contest! and i don’t like that you’re all out of calenders!!! GRRRRRR 😉 anyways…i thought i’d pop in and say hey! now i’ll go paruse what i’ve missed. hopefully this guy never shuts this down so i can get back on here every night he he he
bye all!
I think Ingram’s fell during the lull before we boomers started to fall prey to the ailments and disabilities of age. Also it may have been a family business that ran out of involved family. Not sure if that one on Howard is one of Shoppers’ or another brand. I thought Shoppers plastered their name more prominently. Geriatric care and death related business is gonna be booming for some time to come for those facing career change. I think it’s going to be a rather different world when the last of us finally shuffle off.
Ingrams was horrible to deal with. IMO poor customer service was what killed them. They were the only game in town for a while and they acted like it. The type of store where it’s almost as though you are bothering them when you enter. As soon as some competition entered the picture, they were done. I left and never went back. I was not surprised when I read they had gone bankrupt.