ARCHITECTURE:
This hip-roofed, two-storey, Vernacular wooden building was constructed for commercial / residential use. The lower front façade has two pairs of large windows; the two on the left are separated by the shop entrance door. The upper front, which is jettied over the lower, has three windows on the left side and two on the right. The residential entrances are to the rear; there is a later rear addition of a balcony above a deck. Formerly known as Finlayson Grocery, it is a good example of corner grocery stores which were once prevalent in every small neighbourhood.
ORIGINAL OCCUPANTS:
1925-27: James Louis Dischaw (b. ON 1867-1940) and Sophia Archibald (née Drummond, b. SCT 1878-1956), married in Thunder Bay, ON in 1907. They built a one-storey Finlayson Grocery in 1921 at 1316 Finlayson St, and lived behind the shop. In 1925 they built 1302 and lived above. 1928: James Johnson Croft (b. Yorks, ENG 1890-1969) and Georgina (née Finch b. Aldburgh, Suffolk, ENG 1890-1966) were married here in 1913. James was still listed as a grocer in 1929, but they had moved to 2745 Blackwood St, where they lived until after Georgina’s death. 1929: Alex McKenzie (b. Adelaide, ON 1872-1959) was a surveyor; his wife Laura (née Millikin, b. Renfrew, ON 1883-1965) ran the grocery, and they lived above.
OTHER OCCUPANTS:
1930-35: Mrs Eva Wheeldon (née Smith b. ENG 1884-1973) ran the grocery and lived above the shop with husband Lewis Wheeldon (b.Newark, ENG 1887-1974), a government supervisor. They married in Winnipeg in 1911.
1936-41: Francis “Frank” Grimes (b. Warks, ENG 1893-1973) & Hilda Jean (née Creed b. Saskatoon, SK 1910-1985). A number of other owners ran Finlayson Grocery until after 1993.
Hobby Beers and Wines was in the building from at least 2009-17.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION & IMAGES:
• Map of Victoria Heritage Register Properties
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