Looking for more space. Front Street, Toronto.

Our space in the Lothian Mews was working quite well, however we were making more contacts with excellent suppliers in a number of countries and wanted to carry their products. Unfortunately the space we had was very limited and we needed more space. Such an area was the old part of Toronto near the first City Hall and the St. Lawrence Market. There were a number of old warehouses, in pretty rough shape, on the south side Front Street East, west of the market, that were being used as storage buildings by the merchants at the market. The building at 67 Front Street East was used fior potato storage and was overrun with rats and other critters. It did however have a high ceiling and a large window facing the street. I could immediately see its potential, even if i was the only one. I found out who the owner was and approached him. It turned out to be Max Swartz, an older, charming gentleman who owned a number of old buildings in the area and shared my vision for the area. I believe we made a deal for a five year term for five thousand square feet of space at $ 3.75 per square foot or thereabout.

Most of my friends thought that I was mad to consider leasing such dirty, run down, unfinished space. It needed a tremendous amount of work to clear out a hundred years of dirt and debris, rotten potatoes, wildlife, make repairs to floors and walls and to make the space habitable. My wife Helga and I and Helga's mother Lucy spent many days and nights shovelling and cleaning. I designed a mezzanine with wide steps near the front of the store with a walkway leading to the existing back mezzanine. Again my father, the master builder, helped with most of the construction. We installed all new electrical track lighting using inexpensive clamp-on spot lights throughout. The old wood floors were so bad that they could not be refinished, so we installed a sisal carpet. We put some wide, pine boards on some of the walls which also served as a system to support shelving.

We moved in and planned an opening party. We invited all our friends and architects and designers and regular customers. Helga and her team of friends and neighbours were busy baking piragi (Latvian bacon buns,) and making open faced sandwiches for hundreds of people. We had wine, beer and drinks, music and a Marimekko fashion show. A great turn out and a great celebration.