Main Street 6
This image I took in 1958 showing the Trout Festival car which you bought a Share in the North for $1.00 and got the opportunity to win a new car. In the background you see the stage which was erected each and every year for Trout Festival. All Main Street activities, crowning of the Queen and entertainment in the evenings was conducted from this stage which brought many people to Main Street.
In the background you can see Schieders Men's Wear which was owned and operated by Frank Schieder, another man who contributed much to the people of Flin Flon. He financed many peoples work clothes until they got their first cheque.
Next to Schieders was Sam Hankins Furniture store owned and operated by Sam Hankin, and next to that was Photo Music which was owned and operated by Gunther Henning and John Nickel who operated the music store for a good number of years.
This building was constructed on the old Schieder & Hankin site by Wes Klewchuk and it housed Curves and Canada Man Power and Chiropractic services as well. The building was then sold to United Steel Workers who moved their offices from their Church Street location known as the Labor Temple to their new home on Main Street. The building is also shared by Standard Insurance owned and operated by Brent Lethbridge.
This vacant lot was once the home of Photo Music, and now accommodates a small trailer which the Flin Flon Lions Club use as a location for their ticket sales to support their community projects. Pictured below is Sam Hankin, one of Main Streets legends. He operated a small furniture store on this location until he retired. Sam was a friend to one and all. His cash register was a cigar box and a receipt book. Sam was a very community minded individual, supported scouting, curling, hunter safety, and many other community projects. He was an asset to our community.
This image shows which was once known as Keddies Hardware. I believe there was another gentleman in this business by the name of Tweed or Tweedie, maybe someone can help me with this. When this business ceased being a hardware, there was an electronics business operated by a Greek gentleman by the name of Mike who in turn sold the business to Jim Sturley who operated Sturley Electronics, and Sooters Studio of this location for a number of years. In latter years it became a home for chiropractor services and also now houses a ladies wear known as the Newest Wrinkle and Sturley has downsized and moved his business to his residence which consists of passports and engraving services.
This image shows the home of Gunston's Studio. Len Gunston was one of the first men that I got to know well on Main Street as he was the man who sold me my first camera, and spent a lot of time explaining to me the pros and cons of a range finder camera, twin lens reflex, a single lens reflex which today we refer to as a DSLR. If Len Gunston could see this camera, I am afraid he wouldn't believe it. Many pictures which I have used in my presentations were taken with cameras and optics which were purchased from Len Gunston and Glen Campbell.
In the early 1960's, Len became ill and sold his business to Glen Campbell. Glen was really responsible in helping me develop many of my photographic skills. Glen took photography to a new level in Flin Flon. He also encouraged me to become part of PPOC (Professional Photographers of Canada). This was a great opportunity to enter competitions, attend seminars, and workshops which over the years, through the lens, I have learnt many things and met many people, thanks to Glen.
This image shows the original Nasselquist Jewellery store which is another one of the early businesses on Main Street. The business has been sold and has moved across the street to which was once the Robinson's store, and the building, and the Stag Bowling Alley was owned and operated by Ernie Chocholik.
The building next to the jewellery store was once the home of Central Meat & Grocery owned and operated by the Perepeluks. I first remember Bill Perepeluk who was the father to John & Mickey and they also operated a store in Lynn Lake. When I first came to town, I always remember seeing Mickey on Main Street, a friendly happy go lucky individual who was always visiting with an old prospector by the name of Joe Brain, an old machinist by the name of Syd Hudson and Lew Parres. Mickey was always involved in the stock market. I got to know Mickey quite well in latter years after he had sold the store and retired. I enjoyed many cups of coffee in Johnny's around 4 pm, when Mickey was in the junk business, he would always stop in and entertain us for about a ½ hour and I have many good memories as Mickey first came to town with the carnival. He was a successful business man, raised a family and was a friend to all. People like this you miss because they add more to the community than they ever take away.
The building next to the CIBC is also another important link in Flin Flon Main Street history. This was known as Milt's Sweet Shop which had the best cinnamon buns north of 54, owned and operated by Milt Young who also was the Coca Cola bottle distributor. I believe he had a partner known as Fred Kyba, maybe someone can help me with more information on this.
Yes, this was once Robinsons store and the Stag Bowling Alley. Today, the bowling alley no longer exists, Nasselquist Jewellers occupy half of what was once Robinsons store, and the other half is occupied by Sal's Fitness. This property was purchased by the late Ray Daneliuk, daughter-in-law operates the jeweller store, Morgan Bryson owns and operates Sal's Fitness.
The picture of the vacant lot was once home of Sulisz family who was a tailor. This old gentleman was a true tradesman. He could take a look at a garment, make a few chalk marks on it and tell you to come back in a few days. He covered a Woods Eiderman parka for me, and when I went to pick it up, it looked and felt like new. I talked to people who he made suits for and they were extremely satisfied. This community has been very fortunate over the years to have had people take up residence here and provide our community with the services in which they did.
North of 53 Consumers Co-op – This today is Flin Flon's major food outlet, but no longer provides hardware and clothing services, however there is discussion about expansion.
This picture goes back to 1958 where you can see Ostry's grocery and dry goods store located on the northeast corner of Main Street and across the street was the Flin Flon hotel, one of Flin Flon's main watering holes for many workers.
Today when you look at the same corner, Ostry's store no longer exists. The business was sold to a company by the name of Stylerite which operated the store for a number of years just with dry goods and clothing. After the closing of Stylerite, it became a restaurant known as Mr. Ribs which operated again for a number of years until it fell victim to fire. It was owned and operated by Rick Reid, son of Jack & Mary Reid who once ran Depot Lunch at the corner of Second & Hapnot St.
The restaurant was demolished and the property was taken over by the city and has been re-established as Pioneer Square which has a few small fountains, a stage, and a Xmas tree to commemorate Xmas. Main Street today is part of No. 10 highway, therefore putting a Xmas tree in the centre of the street like we once did, is no longer legal or acceptable.
This exercise has brought back many memories, going through old pictures and creating new ones. The descriptions and outlines which I have put below pictures are things which I remember. There is much more which I feel could be added so when you read it over, don't be backward in sending me an email and helping me add things to help me, make THEN & NOW a little more complete. Thank you and Enjoy.
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