1908 -King and Park Streets

Hamilton Times.    May 02, 1908.

“Another landmark is doomed to disappear in the march of improvement necessary to keep pace with the prosperity of our city. Very few will remember as far back as 1840, when James Reid commenced the furniture business at 91 King street west, but the building in which he successfully built up one of the best furniture and carpet businesses in western Ontario is about to be torn down and give place to a modern store abounding in plate glass fronts for display of goods, so essential to any present day business. Previous to 1840, Mr. Reid had been with Jacques & Hays, of Toronto, and, like many others, saw the possibilities of Hamilton. Many will remember him well, and being a practical cabinetmaker, it was his pride that everything he made should be the best. Anyone attending auction sales held by Tom Burrows, will note that if Tom wishes to draw special attention to any piece of furniture he has under the hammer, he invariably alludes to it as being made by James Reid. Mr. Reid was very particular, and when delivering furniture in the various houses of the city, he would tell his men never mind if their fingers did get the worst of it, so long as they did not injure the polish of the article. In 1876, he found that the store in which he had so long done business was too small to meet the requirements of a growing city, and so he built the fine new store on the corner of King and Park streets, next door to the building he had so long occupied. At the time, the new building was considered the finest retail store in the city. Mr. Reid, being a thorough Scotchman, took particular pride in the stately Scotch granite pillars that adorn the front of the building. The place had quite a novel opening. Some will remember the bachelors’ ball held on the occasion, to which the elite of the city. On the second floor, a room 30 feet by 100 feet, the merry dance was enjoyed by all.

“In February, 1884, James Reid died. It seemed as if the business he so successfully carried on was to come to an end, possibly because of the general depression in trade at the time. For about a year and a half, the executors of the estate kept the store open, and the stock was finally disposed of by auction. The buyers were William Malcolm and A.M. Souter, the former having been bookkeeper for a number of years with Mr. Reid, and the latter, foreman in the cabinet factory. These two men formed a partnership and carried on the business in the same buildings, thinking they had enough room to accommodate the trade for all time to come. In about three years, however, it was found necessary to increase the floor space, and two floors were added to the back of the old store, No. 91. This was thought ample for all purposes, but furniture is very bulky, and requires a lot of floor space for display. It was not long before they felt crowded, and about seven years ago, they bought the premises on the corner of Barton and Elgin streets, known as the Wanzer sewing machine factory.. A limited company was formed, and the product of this factory is acknowledged to be of the best in Canada, both as to design and make. Considerable of the output has been shipped to British and Australian markets, a very large business is done in the Northwest, and their goods are found in every first class furniture store from the Atlantic to the pacific. About six years ago, Mr. Malcolm decided to retire from the retail part of the business, giving his whole attention to the development of the wholesale trade. Mr. Souter, while holding his interests in the wholesale end of the business, enlarged the retail business, and formed a partnership with his younger brother, D.A. Souter and James Davidson, who for the last five years and a half have prospered so well that although they added as a store room, what was formerly what was formerly the factory , a growing city and increased business has forced to remodel the entire store. The new premises, instead of being two buildings, will be one, with over 60 feet of plate glass front. The store will be carried back the full length of the lot, making five floors 60 feet by 145 feet. This will double the present floor space, and the firm has confidence that the public generally appreciates the efforts to carry on the business so well begun by their predecessors. The Times gives pleasure in giving its readers a picture of what the remodeled building will be like, and can assure them that they will find everything they require in the line of home furnishings in this up-to-date store of the enterprising and energetic firm of A.M. Souter & Co.