Thanks for the confirmation that it was Sams. That's how I remembered it, but then I started having doubts. But 2 floors? I honestly don't remember that at all and I went there a shit-ton as a kid - always checking out the new albums that came out. Hard to imagine that back in those days I'd only know about a new album release when I saw it on the shelves.
I also remember when Food Basics was an A&P, but back in those days my family rarely went there. We did our grocery shopping at Food City on Strathearne.
Remember it well, my high school was near-by and was at Sam's often after school. Eaton's has a two floor ceiling which extended over the courtyard and over a small two floor retail area - not much on the 2nd floor - it overlook the courtyard. Sam's main entrance was on the lower level they had stairs in the store to access 2nd level - after a few years, the 2nd level closed.
Also, I believe there was a large black clock-tower in front of Eaton's
I thought there was a music store by the food court too. I vaguely recall Sam the Record Man though, now that you mentioned it.
And a hair stylist near Eatons that I always wanted to go to, but my dad believed he was good at trimming my hair and it wasn't worth the money to have a professional do it.
Wasn’t the restaurant where shoppers currently is called Roxys back in the 90s? I remember the arcade was called The Games and where the travel agency is was a trading card store..can’t remember the name but I used to buy hockey cards there.
Also, do you guys remember Queenston Mall? In particular Crazy Lee’s, Toby’s Toy Store, Bi-Way, and Miracle Mart? I remember there was a cafe that always smelled like fried onions which was near the Canadian Tire. I also remember they used to set up bouncy castles in the parking lot occasionally, I vaguely remember a Super Mario bouncy castle.
Those days are long gone, I have good memories of first going to Queenston Mall then Eastgate with my mom. I was at Kitchen Stuff Plus before Christmas and couldn’t help but remember how busy Eastgate used to be around Christmas.
Also, fwiw, I heard LA Fitness will take over the space formerly occupied by Sears and The Bay.
Also, do you guys remember Queenston Mall? In particular Crazy Lee’s, Toby’s Toy Store, Bi-Way, and Miracle Mart? I remember there was a cafe that always smelled like fried onions which was near the Canadian Tire. I also remember they used to set up bouncy castles in the parking lot occasionally, I vaguely remember a Super Mario bouncy castle.
I definitely remember Queenston Mall... used to go there a lot as it was a 10 minute walk from my place.
There was also a video rental store there and a small record shop that would actually sell concert tickets.
In the summer they'd always have carnival/amusement park set up for a couple weeks in the parking lot.
I definitely remember Queenston Mall... used to go there a lot as it was a 10 minute walk from my place.
There was also a video rental store there and a small record shop that would actually sell concert tickets.
In the summer they'd always have carnival/amusement park set up for a couple weeks in the parking lot.
aw im so sad that that old mansion that was kelseys for such a long time will be torn down - it was absolutely beautiful inside..
and yeah ever since future shop went belly up that strip mall has been dead - remember my mom taking me to A&P there every week for groceries growing up..
That wasn't an old mansion it was a purpose built restaurant. I forget the name of the original restaurant there. That building has only been around since the early 80's
That wasn't an old mansion it was a purpose built restaurant. I forget the name of the original restaurant there. That building has only been around since the early 80's
I remember that. And before St. Hubert's, I'm pretty sure it used to be a Pizza Hut. Me and 5 friends would go there after every Ticat game and order 3 medium pizzas (half a pizza each - 4 slices) and we'd be stuffed. We'd have the pans on our table and I remember how greasy and glorious the pizza was.
I remember that. And before St. Hubert's, I'm pretty sure it used to be a Pizza Hut. Me and 5 friends would go there after every Ticat game and order 3 medium pizzas (half a pizza each - 4 slices) and we'd be stuffed. We'd have the pans on our table and I remember how greasy and glorious the pizza was.
I may be wrong but I was thinking it was originally a Crock and Block restaurant. Before that the whole corner lot where that plaza is located was a driving range.
I only remember as far back as St. Hubert's. I thought the Pizza Hut was in the same plaza but closer to Barton, housed in one of those "hut" buildings that chain used to use. Didn't the Burger King take over that building? Before 2019 it had a sloped roof around its perimeter, but flat on top https://goo.gl/maps/KCMpQXEFFvuB7dcUA
I only remember as far back as St. Hubert's. I thought the Pizza Hut was in the same plaza but closer to Barton, housed in one of those "hut" buildings that chain used to use. Didn't the Burger King take over that building? Before 2019 it had a sloped roof around its perimeter, but flat on top https://goo.gl/maps/KCMpQXEFFvuB7dcUA
Pizza Hut was definitely there at the time in the traditional hut building. I have a memory that it was a stand alone building with the burger king in a stand alone building near it.
I remember waiting in line for an hour just to get into pizza hut and then stay there for another hour. I remember doing the same just to get into the swiss chalets in this city. Lucky we have evolved to have more choice.
Pizza Hut was definitely there at the time in the traditional hut building. I have a memory that it was a stand alone building with the burger king in a stand alone building near it.
I remember waiting in line for an hour just to get into pizza hut and then stay there for another hour. I remember doing the same just to get into the swiss chalets in this city. Lucky we have evolved to have more choice.
Thanks!
Yep, back in the day when Swiss Chalet was an actual restaurant and not glorified quick service fast food. When they looked like chalets and had the finger bowls filled with lemon water.
Places like the Crock and Block and the Corkscrew were fine dining in Stoney Creek, compared to SC and its ilk.
(the Corkscrew used to be in this building in the plaza on Queenston Rd. just east of Centennial, though it has been extensively changed since then)
On one hand, I've really felt that the large commercial landlord-turned-developer REITs (SmartCentre, RioCan, etc) have been sleeping with regard to the potential their Hamilton properties have for redevelopment, and on the other, this is a very disappointing proposal to start that process with.
Literally from the same PowerPoint presentation in the first post, we can see SmartCentre planning projects more along the lines of:
Yet the best they have in store for Hamilton is a proposal that leaves 50% of the site parking lot (and rebuilt big box store) with the other half redeveloped with some massive slabs situated on a massive podium and surface parking between the two? Yuck.
I hope this attitude changes as these REITs look to replace more of their Hamilton properties, but I'm doubtful.
I hope this attitude changes as these REITs look to replace more of their Hamilton properties, but I'm doubtful.
They don't seem to move on that kind of thing until the market is clearly amped up. In another year or two I bet we see more ambitious proposals in Hamilton by the likes of them.
Okay, so it wasn't just me that was disappointed with this proposal. The other thing is I hate the suburbanization of condos. While I'm critical over over intensification, the one thing condos allow is a high density of people to support commercial on the ground floors. Cambridge is the worst looking one and the most similar to Mississauga, while the others seem to be building actual communities around the towers. Meanwhile Hamilton looks to be on the lowest end.
On one hand Hamilton has been behind for a long time, so it may just be that they haven't had time to even think of the city yet, but it's disappointing none the less. See the wealth of land near transit and walkable areas though, I may be buying some more Smart Centres REIT next paycheck...
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Hamilton Downtown. Huge tabletop skyline fan. Typically viewing the city from the street, not a helicopter. Cycling, transit and active transportation advocate 🚲🚍🚋
Hamilton’s apartment market, especially outside of downtown, really wasn’t supportive of new apartments until very recently from my understanding and even now it’s very tight.
As I said, let’s wait and see the actual proposal. I’m sure SmartCentres is very aware of their Stoney Creek assets as one is half built out and the other is very underutilized. I guarantee you they’ve been itching to intensify them but the market simply hasn’t been supportive until now. Even now, SmartCentres probably has to build as cheap as they can to turn a profit basically. Doesn’t excuse surface parking, but as I said, let’s wait and see the actual proposal.
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