Lot #7 Stores
NM Livingstone, Strachan & Smith,
& FC Rogers
M Livingstone owned this lot in 1866. An 1870 item in the Huron Expositor lists Livingstone as one of the leading merchants in the village, in “the mercantile line” and also in millinery. An addition was made, in 1872, to his storage room of a two-story frame structure, 30x40, which he intended to have completed ready for the wools season. (Huron Expositor May 10, 1872) In 1873 he had FW Terry build a 30 x 18 feet addition to his store. ”NM Livingstone is adding quite an addition to his store. The storehouse adjoining the main building is being all shelved and countered. The walls between the buildings are to be taken out and arched. When completed this will add greatly to the appearance of the store.” (Huron Expositor May 22, 1873)
Livingstone sold part of his lot to William Armstrong in 1866. In February of 1872, the Huron Expositor announced: “Mr William Armstrong has now nearly completed a very handsome and commodious store to the north of his hotel, and adjoining Mr NM Livingstone’s. This store has been leased by Messrs. John E Smith, late of Blyth, and Mr Alexander Strachan, of Londesboro, who intend opening out therein a stock of general merchandise so soon as it is finished. Both these gentlemen are well and favourably known in the locality, and being clever business men will no doubt get their share of the trade of the place, which will no doubt be very largely increased so soon as our railway is completed.” Armstrong sold his part back to Livingstone in 1873.
Advertisement Below: "Livingstone is one of the leading merchants in the mercantile line." Huron Expositor August 8, 1872.
In July of 1874 it was announced that Livingstone had sold out: “Mr NM Livingstone after a very successful business career of 13 years in Brussels, has disposed of his mercantile business to Mr. FC Rogers, of Delaware, Ont. By fair dealing and strict attention to business, Mr Livingstone has built up a large and lucrative trade, and we congratulate his successor on having secured a good position. As will be seen by announcement elsewhere in this issue the present stock has to be largely reduced by the 1st of October, and between this and that date goods will be sold at wholesale prices. When Mr Livingstone says a thing he means it, and consequently the people of Brussels and vicinity may look out for bargains such as is not usually given. Mr Livingstone has also sold his store premises to the same gentleman for $4,100.”
Strachan & Smith moved their business down the street. They built a new store just south of Armstrong’s Hotel in 1875. It was a frame structure 28’x60’ and two stories high.
Frederick C. Rogers ran a dry goods store. An advertisement of 1877 featured “a large full stock direct from the English markets.” In 1877, Rogers had a second story of frame added to his large store.
Rogers served as Reeve of the village from 1881 to 1884. In 1881 he “ordered a 400 lb. bell from the foundry of WR Wilson, Brussels, to be placed on the hose tower at the town hall to be used as a town bell. The same is a present from Mr Rogers to the citizens of Brussels.” During the term of his Reeveship Rogers also built and carried on the Enterprise Salt Works.
In 1883, AR Morris, tailor, who had his shop over Rogers’ store moved to a new stand in Grant’s block, over the bank. WC Davis, formerly the head salesman in Reeve Roger’s store, resigned his position to take up that of commercial traveller for a London house. And, George Rogers resumed his old position in his uncle’s large dry goods store.
It seems that Mr. Rogers expanded his business in 1884: “Reeve Rogers is busily engaged having the shop formerly occupied by James Drewe as a hardware shop changed is that he can occupy it for his boots and shoes and groceries.”
Miss Filier managed Rogers’s millinery department in 1885. It was one of four millinery establishments in Brussels this year. Rogers had a telephone installed, in his store and salt block, in April of 1885. Another innovation noted that year was a short line of hose to be attached to a pump in order to sprinkle the sidewalk and street in front of his store. Rogers also had photographer Frank Uren photograph his stores in October 1885.
By 1889, Lawyers Dickson & Hays had leased the vacant store belonging to FC Rogers and had it fitted up for law offices. Miss Green was the well-known milliner at the store.
Advertisement Below: Shown in the Brussels Post 1886. F. C. Rogers had a large dry goods store at this location from 1874 to 1890.
Business was less than prosperous by early 1890 and Rogers was forced to sell his stock. The Brussels Post of February 7, 1890 reported: “The stock of FC Rogers, consisting of $15,000 worth of dry goods, boots and shoes, clothing, hats and caps, millinery, groceries, etc., was purchased by W. Nightingale & Co., last Friday, in London, at 59½¢ on the dollar. The new proprietor is making a big push in the way of bargains. He has leased the store occupied by Rogers.” In the course of the next two weeks, Mr. Rogers and his wife were able to make arrangements to resume business in another location. “It has been stated on good authority that arrangements are being made whereby FC Rogers and his good lady will resume business again. A brand new stock of spring and summer goods will be purchased and opened out in the store just vacated by WH Willis, Holmes Block, in the course of a month or so. Miss Green, who has suited the public for the past two years, has been re-engaged as the milliner. The public at large will be pleased to welcome Mr. and Mrs. Rogers once more back into the business circle and we are sure it will be an equal pleasure for them to wait upon those patronizing them.” (Brussels Post, Feb. 21, 1890) Rogers called his new venture The Palace Store. In May, the two frame stores and storehouse of the Rogers estate were offered for sale by auction but did not sell.
Mrs. Rogers appears to have taken the lead in running the new store. An advertisement of Aug. 15, 1890 reads: “Fall goods arriving everyday at Mrs. E. Rogers, the Palace Store, Brussels. We will have a splendid stock this fall more especially in millinery, mantles, dress goods, and velvets which will be all the rage the coming season. Remember we have sold no worn out, moth eaten goods to offer, our stock will be entirely new and fully complete by the end of the month.” Miss Green continued in her position as milliner.
In August of 1890,William Roddick leased the large storehouse on Mill Street, in the rear of the store formerly occupied by FC Rogers, and had it fitted it up for a paint shop. A recent fire had destroyed his former shop.
Frederick C Rogers, the owner of Lot 7, died June 5, 1898. The June 10th Brussels Post stated: “Out of respect to the memory of the late FC Rogers the business places of Brussels were closed on Tuesday afternoon from 3:30 to 5 o’clock.” His obituary noted that he had carried on an extensive and lucrative mercantile business, had served as Reeve for five years, acted as a school trustee and a warden in connection with the English Church. He was also a great lover of flowers.
By 1907, John Leckie had acquired Lot 7. Leckie sold the property to the Brussels Public Library Board in 1909.
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