Comment
It’s about heritage
Yes, it is an eyesore. But the simple truth is that any building, majestic or humble, will appear down in the mouth after a decade or so without improvement. Without repair. Its past two years spent empty and derelict.
It is not, however, an argument for smashing the convenience store in the heart of Wellington.
This would surely be a sorry and soulless place if we demolished everything that was old and tired. Indeed, the architectural heritage that each of us has inherited in Prince Edward County is core to the reverence with which we hold this place.
The convenience store building has stood on this location for more than 120 years—its protruding roofline, prominent balcony and general presence has, in part, defined Wellington’s streetscape along with the museum, Pomodoro, Wellington Pharmacy and East and Main buildings on the south side of Main Street. Looking closer, you will notice the Sshaped roof buttresses—a design flourish repeated in other noble buildings of the era in the village.
According to historian Phil Ainsworth, construction began on the building in 1898 by Miles Pettit, a carpenter, who eventually lived in the upper floor along with his wife, Harriet. The main floor has served as a grocery store through most of its tenure so far. First by Pettit, then by Charles Greer, followed by Claude and Kathleen Smith. Frank Brimley purchased the building and the store in 1928. He survived the depression and it became a Lucky Dollar grocery store in the 1950s. After his death, Brimley’s widow sold the building to Margaret Aman, whose husband operated the meat shop next door. In the late ’80s the property was acquired by Young Nam-Jin. The store has, in a small and oblique way, served as a measure of the evolution of our nation.
In 1898 Queen Victoria reigned the land. Wilfred Laurier was prime minister. The Treaty of Paris ended the Spanish American War. The convenience store has been a witness to much of the history of this community. It is where folks ventured—sometimes daily—for a loaf of bread, a quart of milk or a frozen treat on a sticky hot summer’s day.
Yes, it has seen better days. Is that a reason to flatten it? And replace it with a parking lot? Or parkette? For the ease of a culvert replacement?
The question before County council next month is not what it is today—but rather what it might be again. That requires vision. And imagination.
But some on council have come to think of the convenience store as their great white whale. Some have got it in their heads that they must kill it and smash it to bits in order to demonstrate their power to the electorate before the October vote. It is most vulnerable in these next few months leading up to the municipal election.
This is because some hear the voices of those who question why it sits empty and untended these past few years. They hear from folks who grumble about why the County bought it in the first place. The believe—wrongly—they purchased the building with the mandate to tear it down.
But others believe they are not entirely accountable to the electorate. Some believe that they know best, that they were elected to make decisions, and by gum, they are going to do it.
But to do so they will have to ignore the will of the people of this community as expressed in two different public meetings. In July 2015 more than 120 residents filed into the Town Hall to express their support for the retention of a building at that corner and the rejection of the notion of a parking lot on Wellington’s primary commercial corner.
Later that year another 70 residents gathered at the Wellington and District Community Centre to consider alternatives to a parkette and to discuss the heritage qualities of the existing convenience store building. Again, the vast majority said they wanted a building to stay on the Main corner—with most wanting to understand the possibilities and cost of retaining the existing structure.
The would-be wreckers will have to ignore the advice of their own Prince Edward Historical Advisory Committee that weighed in to the debate in 2016, saying that the modest building’s “well used history provides character and continuity to Wellington’s history. These buildings make it apparent that County heritage is not just about the grand buildings… it is also about the smaller, less refined buildings, where personal experiences and interactions are made.”
Despite this advice and overwhelming feedback, some are driven to tear it down. They seemingly put no value on history and heritage—or public sentiment for that matter. They prefer to ignore all the heritage, engineering and economic advice that favours the restoration of this building rather than save it from ruin.
Neither does the length of time spent deliberating its future, necessitate its destruction. Yes, it has been a long time considering its fate, but that has as much to do with the novelty of a building with a creek running underneath it than it does with assessing its heritage value. It is also about the fearfulness of municipal engineers managing a challenge that while rare here, is commonplace elsewhere.
Nor has anything bad happened with this or the creek since County officials first determined it was a problem in 2011.
Yes, it is a bit of an eyesore. But it has been much more than this for a century and a score. We can and should celebrate the “smaller, less refined structures” along with the magnificent and noble.
We must not allow the demolition of the convenience store to become a trophy for some misguided council members seeking re-election.
I remember visiting this Lucky Dollar with my father, Jerry Ball. The penny and nickel treats that could be purchased along with a loaf of bread, which at that time cost twenty-five cents.
There are a lot of good memories for a lot of people in regards to the Lucky Dollar. Frank Brimley, was a very friendly man and I remember him with fondness.
If it can be saved, it should be. It’s rebirth could bring a personality to the town, that would draw in tourists. Helping some people remember the good ole days.