Found this on another FB page:

I remember it being London Wines just before the Lister's near doom.

^It does appear to say Turner, yes.

That's an interesting point actually. I don't know the history of booze sales/ LCBO in Ontario but I do recall that wineries and breweries were allowed to sell from their own stores - not sure when that came to an end.

The Free Trade Agreement, and later on NAFTA, had an impact. Wineries and breweries can still sell from their own location. But entities like The Wine Rack were grandfathered into NAFTA, which allowed them to maintain their stand-alone stores and sell only their own products.

Here's an excellent article on the topic, from the Toronto Star. http://on.thestar.com/1FSSsCf

^Cheers for the clarification.

The whole issue of liquor sales in this province is absurd.

https://scontent-lga.xx.fbcdn.net/hp...48&oe=55D7226F

Source: Brian Henley via Facebook Vintage Hamilton

https://scontent-lga.xx.fbcdn.net/hp...4c&oe=55D5DC72

1974

Facebook Vintage Hamilton

Gerald Little, photographer

^Love the look of King E in those days...

https://scontent-lga.xx.fbcdn.net/hp...05&oe=560DBD1B

1958

Facebook Vintage Hamilton

Gerald Little, photographer

^It seems King E had a bit of a Yonge St vibe back in the day.

https://scontent-lga1-1.xx.fbcdn.net...77&oe=55ED7915

FB VH

What an interesting streetwall. Lost.

What's the second building beside the Thomas Lees one? Looks interesting.

The answer is in the caption under the picture.

Such a total bummer. Thanks CaptainKirk! :slob:

https://scontent-lga1-1.xx.fbcdn.net...cd&oe=5632F938

1985.

Photo from Robert Haylock. Originally posted on Historical Hamilton FB page.

^Very cool.

This is my earliest recollection of the city centre. Yes, it had pretty much lost its coolness factor but it was still the place to shop: Robinsons, Zellers, Kresge's, a booming Jackson Square, Eaton's etc. After Limeridge, the situation got pretty dire in a real hurry.

great find of Robinsons and Bank of Hamilton (which later became CIBC)... I wish they stacked those two replacement CIBC towers into one 35-story.

I always liked that Robinsons building... and have found memories of the Kresges, Zellers and the underground washrooms at Gore Park.

The one specific thing I remember most about that Robinsons was that they would sometimes use the display window to promote a new album that was just released. It was a big deal to me because I was big into music. I still remember seeing the Eagles "The Long Run" on display in '79 when I was 10 years old.

This would make for a seriously depressing before and after shot.

Thanks. I should have paid more attention.