One of the most historic and intact commercial storefronts in the city is located at 1506 Wyandotte St. E. The Edwardian commercial building built in 1915, was originally a Trott’s Shoes, and for many years was the home of Posteroptics.
The owners of Posteroptics retired last year, and the building was put of for sale. Every time a historic and intact storefront switches hands I cringe. Over the last several years many original storefronts along Ouellette Ave. downtown have been horribly remodeled, and many original historic elements of the storefronts were lost. In some cases the buildings were stuccoed over.
In many cases, the post renovation facades were unrecognizable. At one time the right side of this building looked like the left half. I was very happy to hear that the building was purchased by local heritage home owners, and would be reopened as an antique store, and kept in it’s original condition.
Dan Imeson previously owned and operated the Imeson Collection in the Imperial Building just east of the Kildare House. After taking a few years off, it’s great to see him return to Walkerville.
The building on the right had a fire many years ago which is why it is stucco’ed.
Speaking of stucco. I was told by the owner that a few middle eastern people were looking at the property and were serious about bidding for it. When asked what they were going to do, they responded that they were going to open a restaurant but that they didn’t like the look of the building so they wanted to stucco it. The owners decided to sell it to Mr. Imeson instead.
Atop of the store is a 3 bedroom apartment that still has a butler’s pantry and original skylight. It is in fairly good shape and is currently rented.
If you ask the owners they also have blueprints of the buliding and a photo of it from around the 1920’s when it was still a sundries store (before Trott’s). Ask them and I am sure they would show you.
Thanks ME. I’ll ask them about that sometime.
Is there any move in Windsor to restore historic commercial buildings to their original look (or close)? Any tax credits available if a project like this is undertaken? Over here in the Pacific Northleft it’s become a “big thing”, especially in smaller or medium sized cities to help restore viatility to downtowns that were hard hit by the abandonment of “traditional” downtown stores to shopping centers.
No move at all Doug. In fact the trend is more toward ruining what’s left. In the last few months a few more older building were stuccoed over on Ottawa St (a nieghbourhood shopping district).
There can be some assistance if the building is designated, and the downtown BIA has a facade program in effect, but for the most part, the answer is no.
Andrew:
I have an original ad from the 1920s that showcases this building- I will try to dig it out and get it to you- if not drop by and give me a nudge.
c
I was told from the owners of Posteroptics that they restored the brickwork on the building. I cannot remember exactly when they said it was done but I beleive it was no more than 10 years ago.
Was this where Bernstein Dept Store was in the 50s/early 60s at the corner of Gladstone and Wyandotte?
I remember my wife going to Bernsteins store in the early sixties to buy childrens cloths.
If it was called a department store, it wasjammed with merchandice and the owner could put his hand on anything in the size, in a flash. An independnt retailer like donot exist anymore,progress.
Apparently it was spelled Burnstyn. My mistake. Burnstyn’s carried children’s clothing – underwear, snowsuits, pjs etc. Everything was piled high on tables, under tables etc but Mr. & Mrs. Burnstyn could find what ever colour or size you required. I always liked the look of the store with the middle round showcase window. So nice for window dressing and displays. There were a few stores downtown Windsor with the same fronts.
i remember going to buy kids clothing.my mom called it hot sams.