A few weeks ago we took a look at 331 Ouellette which was once home the Red Robin Store.
The photo above appeared in the Gladstone-White Book “A Moment in Time”, so it likely came from either the Windsor Archives or the Museum, as most of his uncredited photos did… However like the train station interior the other day it looks like it is the same photo that ran in the newspaper the day after the opening of the store.
The store opened to the puiblic Thursday, September 1, 1949. The building is a renovation of an earlier 1920’s era building. The store was started in 1936, a few buildings north on Ouellette by Samuel Schwartz. At the time of the re-opening at the new location in 1949 it was the largest Women’s and Children’s store in the city.
There was a basement annex, which acted as a bargain section, selling old stock, etc… This spread through the entire basement, and the basement of the neighbouring Paramount Building.
A photo of the interior of shop ran in the September 2, 1949 issue of the Windsor Daily Star.
- The new Red Robin Store, 331 Ouellette Avenue, with three air-conditioned floors, is the largest in Windsor devoted exclusively to women’s and children’s wearing apparel. It has been designed with every thought and consideration given to the comfort and pleasure of its patrons. Interior decoration varies on each floor and department, presenting a distinctive atmosphere. The modern building front of the store is composed of enameled steel backed with concrete and is the last word in commercial building construction. The top picture shows an interior view of the ground floor.
The building front was designed by G.A. McElroy’s office, by an architect named Thomas I. Gemmell. This is the first reference I’ve ever come across with his name.
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My parents always bought my black patent leather shoes there.
It was a great treat to go downtown, because it was always followed by a treat at the Nut Shop
Andrew, lately you’ve had a few pics from Michael Gladstone White’s ‘A moment in time’ book. By chance does it have a burgandy coloured cover? My mom had a hard-covered book by him in the early 90’s but lent it out and never got it back. I can’t recall if that was the title of it but it rings a bell. A lot of great photos in that book and I’d love to have it back. I inquired about it to Elaine Weeks when I purchased her ‘Best of Times’ book and she said it is no longer in print or not available. Do you have any info?
Colin, There may have been… The copy I have is a soft cover. Picked it up at Juniper Books on Ottawa St. Last time I was in there they had a copy or two…
Ok, thanks- maybe I’ll check that place out. I just remember it being a hard cover book about the size of a school year book. I guess I’ll see…
You are right, Colin – my copy is exactly as you describe. Burgundy, hard covered and about the size of a scool yearbook.
i REMEMBER GOING INTO RED ROBIN AND BEING WAITED ON BY RUDE AND SNOOTY SALESPEOPLE., GUESS THEY FIGURED THEY WERE ABOVE WAITING ON YOUNG PEOPLE.
THIS STORE INSTANTLY BRINGS BACK THOSE MEMORIES.
Who could forget the rude and snooty salespeople who once a fixture of downtown Windsor? They treated anyone under the age of 25 as a potential shoplifter and watched me and my friends like hawks every time we walked in. If we spent more than ten minutes without purchasing anything, we were accosted by a matronly saleslady who told us either buy something or get out. The malls were a lot friendlier and tolerant of youth so that’s where we ended up spending most of our time. Plus, downtown Windsor was a graveyard after 6 P.M.
Ah, good old George, trolling for an argument.
does anyone remember Greenman resturant on Ouellette near south of wyandotte
You mean the Green Man Restaurant on Ouellette and Elliot that was originally called TJ’s? I’d love to see some pics of it…