Stoney Creek's Downtown: Part Two, The History

Recently, I've been curious about Stoney Creek's downtown. Mostly because of the whole 'discussion' over paid parking.

I was curious as to what the downtown used to be comprised of businesses-wise in relation to where we are today. You know, assessing vitality, whether or not the area had a 'destination worth heading to' factor, the district's health beyond 'sustainability', beyond 'survival', figuring out true commercial, retail, business vibrancy.

So I began putting together a list of businesses from 1965 on, right up to today.

It's coming together. Slowly. There are still some mysteries...and Lord knows, some mistakes.

Take a look, see if there's anything you don't agree with, see if you can help solve some mysteries...see if what's there doesn't jog your memories. (Oh, and I should note here that 'downtown' in this conversation is King Street from Lake to Elm. Yes, I'm being arbitrary. No, I'm not going to apologize. Yes, you can buy me dinner and we can 'discuss' it. LOL)

The first entry is circa 1965 and the various iterations are separated by '/' marks

(Emboldened entries are businesses that have not changed over this 1965-2010 timeframe.)

Starting off on the south (Escarpment) side of King Street at Lake Avenue and heading east:

2- House / Chestnut Tree Footcare and Orthotics & Liberty Tax

4- Hunt’s IDA Pharmacy / Stoney Creek Florist / Village Green Denture Specialist

6- Squire’s Hall / Saltfleet Township Offices / Stoney Creek News / Family YMCA & Chamber of Commerce & Olde Village Realty / Ora Medispa

8- ??? (Woman's auxiliary and meeting rooms or something like that...then maybe something else) / IGA / Nassau Place offices / Tim Hortons & Walkway

12- The Fox / The Royal Canadian Legion

14- Black Smith / SC Cycle & Sports / Parking lot / Veterans' Lane

26- O'Brien (Lawyer) / O’Brien and Skirtch & Candice Thatcher Massage Therapist

28- Weedmark Home / Ann's Coffee Shop / Young Drivers of Canada

34- Milmine Building (used to be use for Council meetings) / Milmine Insurance & Emco TV & Radio / Century 21 Furniture / Century 21 & Kingmount Pharmacy / Kingmount & Dr. Boutros & 2nd flr Milmine Insurance Brokers, 3rd Flr Tim Hortons

Crossing Mountain Ave South east to:

38- The Royal Bank / Queenston Stationers w/Post Office counter

40- Mowbray’s Home Hardware / Simply Beautiful Spa

42- Berg’s Fuels (???) Eastgate Ford / Firestone Tire / Centro Italiano Furniture Store / Vacant lot / RBC Financial Services & Hagar & Cerello Chartered Accountants

44- Elm Variety / Elm King Plaza

Crossing King Street north to:

61- McDougall's Garage

59- Post Office (I’m guessing pre-1965) / Stoney Creek Tailors

53- Clifford Furniture / Variety store / Sportacular / Beyond the Batter Cupcakes & CCAA

51- Apartment building

49- Welsh’s Butcher’s Shop / Salon Vive

47- Mather’s Jeweller’s / Perfect Paws Pet Grooming

45- Freeman’s Television / Karlee’s Off Track Betting

43- H&M Variety (???) / Chippy's

41- Furniture Store (???) / (Smaller) Mountain Variety

39- Towne Furniture / (Larger) Mountain Variety / House of Deboni

37- Vandenberg's Women's Bakery / The Penalty Box

35- Mountain Variety / Village Restaurant

33- McCarl’s Dry Goods / Village Restaurant

31- Chippy's Fish and Chips / Chelisha’s (Village Restaurant Add-on)

Crossing Mountain Avenue North, heading west:

25- Millen's General Store / Italian Family with Gorgeous Daughter General Store / Red & White (?) / Warsaw Pub / Vacant

23- House / Travel Agent / Nature’s Nectar / The Element Oxygen Spa / Vacant

21- Village Barber & Men's Hairstylists

19- House / Victorian Hair Salon / Picture Palace

17- Britannia Cleaners

15- Lee's (?) Hardware & farm equipment / Fashion World (???) / Ontario Supermarket / McGlashon’s Martial Arts Studio

7- Highland Stationery and Gifts / Evans’ Flowers / Deli / Liberty Tax (?) / Vacant lot

5- Howard’s Clothes Shop / ??? / SC Warriors / ??? / Vacant lot

1- Baker's Esso / Big V / Shoppers Drug Mart

Lake Avenue at King Street, on west side, heading south:

United Church

6- Bertram and Barry Insurance / Bertram and Barry Insurance & Coombs and Lutz Lawyers

20- RL Hyslop School

Crossing Lake east, then heading north:

25- Church of the Redeemer

13 - Stoney Creek Fire Department / Stoney Creek Municipal Offices / Stoney Creek Food Bank & ???

9- House / Trinity Natural Health Centre

7- House / Avenue Hair Design and Esthetics

Mountain Avenue at King Street on west side, heading south:

10- ??? - BarDon Lanes & SC Cable TV / Municipal Parking Lot #3

???- Canada Post Office / Retirement Complex

Crossing Mountain east, then heading north:

21- Jewellery Repair Shop / Stoney Creek Chamber of Commerce

21 1/2- ??? / ??? / Shoe repair / Ten-four Model Shop / Euro’s Hair Salon

15- / ??? / (Different name) / Health Sciences Building & Shoppers Drug Mart Prescription Centre

11- Clough Energy

Elm Street at King Street on the west side, heading south:

-Elm Variety / Elm King Plaza: Elm King Plaza: Elm Grocery and Deli (and Punch Bowl Baked Goods) & Comic 1 Books & Bruce W. Riddiough, C.A. & House of Floral Design & King Pizza & (Thai Restaurant) & (???) & (???) & House of Hair & Jazz Wireless & International Travel

??? - The Village Gym / Health Sciences Building parking lot

Crossing Elm east, then heading north:

1- Coco Mazzi Salon Spa

TD Bank / Canada Trust