Erected in 1889, on the southeast corner of Rosser Avenue and 7th Street at 806 Rosser Avenue, this block was designed by Brandon architect W.H. Shillinglaw. At the time of its construction the structure housed the Nation & Shewan Department Store, one of Brandon’s largest and most successful drygoods businesses, owned and operated by Fred Nation and Alexander Shewan.
Major improvements were made to the store and an annex was added in 1910. Some of the renovation additions included, but were not limited to, an updated frontage with new copper sash windows and prismatic glass tops, plate glass windows, new fixtures and carpet. With the renovations the floor space of the business was to be almost doubled. The stock of the business also increased, with the Brandon Weekly Sun reporting that when finished, Nation & Shewan would be a “store of which the citizens of Brandon will be justly proud.” The drygoods firm operated until Nation’s death 1926, when it became known as A. Shewan Limited. From 1933 to 1944, the business was known as Shewan and Son. Shortly thereafter, the Metroplitan Stores Ltd began operating out of the Nation & Shewan Block.
In 2000, the Town Centre prepared to knock down the Red Apple Building, formerly the Nation & Shewan Block. The demolition was to make way for the new atrium and entrance for the mall, and begin a new period of redevelopment at the downtown shopping centre.
[History/Bio written by Christy Henry (SJ McKee Archives) and Eileen Trott (Daly House Museum), researched by Morganna Maylon, for 2015 photographic exhibition "Gowen's Brandon: Then and Now".]
Custodial History
Photograph was given to Fred McGuinness by Linda Bilkoski (nee Lepard) of Lac du Bonnet, MB.
Scope and Content
Photograph shows a display of women's clothing and accessories in the window at Nation & Shewan. A sign reads: 1914 Spring Opening commences on Wednesday March 25th.
Notes
Writing on the back of the photograph reads: Mrs. E. Harden, 33-10th St., City. According to the Henderson's Brandon City Directories, Catharine "Kate" Harden (nee Chalmers) worked as a cashier at Nation & Shewan from 1913 to 1914.
Photograph is stained and water damaged. A newspaper clipping about William (Billy) Muir is glued to the top left hand corner of the mat. The image is exfoliated in the right hand corner. The negative has been reverse printed.
History / Biographical
Coombs & Stewart opened the first general store in Brandon in 1881, which was located on 6th Street and Pacific Avenue. According to G.F. Barker (Brandon: A City, 1977, 291), William (Billy) Muir worked at the store until he opened his own grocery store in 1888.
Custodial History
Donated to Fred McGuinness by Allena Strath (nee Coombs).
Scope and Content
Photograph shows the Coombs & Stewart general store located on the corner of Pacific Avenue and 6th Street. A group of men pose in front of the wood-framed store.
Notes
Back of photograph reads: One of first stores in Brandon, Coombs...[?]
Zink's Food Store was opened by Albert Zink in 1932 at 361 1st Street in Brandon's east end. The straightforward form and construction of the building - stucco over wood frame - was typical of such ventures, allowing for large signage at the front and clear open spaces within. Refurbished in 1999 as Chyrel's Tea Room, the building was designated Manitoba Municipal Heritage Site No. 220 on October 29, 2001. At present (August 2008), it is the site of Teahan's Corner.
Scope and Content
Photograph shows the meat counter at Zink's food store.
Notes
History/Bio information taken from the Manitoba Culture, Tourism, Heritage and Sport website, available at: http://www.gov.mb.ca/chc/hrb/mun/m220.html (August 2008).
Repro Restriction
The McKee Archives is the copyright holder for the Stuckey materials.
The Metropolitan store was located on the south side of Rosser Avenue at 8th Street.
Scope and Content
Photograph shows the front of the Metropolitan Store Ltd. at night, in particular four large display windows displaying men's and women's apparel and baked goods. Signs in the windows read: Grand opening sale Friday and Saturday.
Repro Restriction
The McKee Archives is the copyright holder for the Stuckey materials.
The Metropolitan store was located at the southwest corner of 8th Street and Rosser Avenue. At present (August 2008) the space is the entrance and parking lot of the Towne Centre.
Scope and Content
Photograph shows a Metropolitan store window display of Canaidan made fall hats for women.
Repro Restriction
The McKee Archives is the copyright holder for the Stuckey materials.
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