An old Ad for Bartlet, MacDonald & Gow, a long time downtown Windsor independent department store. It was founded in 1860, and stayed part of the Windsor retail scene for over a century, before closing its doors in March, 1972.
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That’s quite a fine run. 1860-1972.
Shame it didn’t make it longer.
With the help a friend’s most helpful and generous father – Mr Greenway – I worked part-time at “Bartlet’s” selling men’s wear in last years of Kennedy/first year of University of Windsor c. 1962-’64. The merchandise was always of the best quality, stylish and the prices reasonable. With my first paycheck I bought a black pocket handkerchief which I still have after all these years in the pocket of a black suit.
I have a small wooden bowl carved out of a piece of wood from the demolition of BMG. An aunt who worked there for years gave it to me as a souvenir. Doug, did you ever figure out which door was the entrance, Ouellette or the side one? What was the street it opened on, London or Chatham?
When I shopped there in the 1940s, we entered from Ouellete, so I’m assuming that was the main entrance. I remember the wires just above our heads throughout the store to carry cash back and forth for purchases. There were no cash registers…it was all done in glass tubes (similar to those at an outdoor banking system now) into which the clerk put the sales slip and money, and waited for the change to be returned along the wires…amazing to a child. It was an elegant store, an upgrade from C.J. Smith next door, where we also shopped. The other door on the riverside was seldom used, as it was out of the way. I think that was the section of the store devoted to furniture.
hey Andrew can you get pics of the demolition of the old GM plant on Kildare?
Forgot those mysterious tubes that shwooshed sales slips and cash back and forth overhead. Think Smith’s had them as well. Merle, you’ve got a great memory!
Wow …worked there in 1967 part time in children`s wear. Mrs Gow & company would make regular rounds of the entire store. Tea was served at breaks & lunch. Some of the employees were in their `70s (plus). There was no age discrimination.