PHOTO COURTESY Esplanade Arts and Heritage Centre
Kresge's store in downtown Medicine Hat in 1961
Joining Eaton’s, Woolworth’s and Simpson-Sears, S.S. Kresge’s became the fourth department store in the City’s business section on May 31, 1961.
All four stores were within walking distance of each other. This was a time before the malls, when the downtown core was the shopping mecca for local consumers. With 13,000 square feet, Kresge’s was a welcome addition not only for its line of merchandise but for its renowned luncheonette.
Using local was a Kresge policy. The store was constructed by local firm D.H. Oland Ltd. and designed by local architects Meech Mitchell Robins and Associates. All trades and suppliers were local.
The building’s exterior featured I-XL Buff smooth brick provided by Medicine Hat Brick and Tile. Interior paint colours were corals, pale gold and cool green.
Buying local included the luncheonette which seated 43. The national Kresge luncheonette already had a reputation for good food, awarded first prize for its apple pie by the Canadian Restaurant Association. But the local luncheonette’s reputation for good food was exceptional. Former diners today still speak of “the best ever” burgers and fries, “the best ever” pumpkin pie, “the best ever” Denver sandwich. One local couple even celebrated their anniversary at the Kresge luncheonette. Now that takes the cake!
Selection of goods throughout the store included home and workshop wares, sporting goods, school and office supplies, hit parade records, ladies’ garments and accessories, men’s and boys’ wear, appliances, and pet supplies, including live budgies and canaries. And much more.
In 1972, plans were underway for a new shopping centre on 13 Avenue SE, the Southview Mall.
Kmart Stores Ltd., a discount spin-off from Kresge’s, announced that it would be investing $1,000,000 to locate an anchor store in the new location. The new store was to be 70,000 square feet out of a total of 170,000 square feet in the new 3.5-million-dollar shopping mall. Although the Kresge stores continued to operate, in 1977, S.S. Kresge Co. officially changed its name to the Kmart Corporation.
Both the downtown Kresge store and the mall Kmart operated simultaneously until1989 when the downtown Kresge’s closed its doors.
In 1991, the old building underwent an extensive renovation by Wahl Builders Ltd, designed by Hutchinson, Macko, Rand Architects Limited. The original building was enhanced to create a finer grained commercial storefront. Most notable was the clever redesign of the south and west exteriors. Doors and windows were added, accentuated with canopies. A contrasting colour palette compatible with the original brick, completed the fresh look.
In February 1998, the Hudson’s Bay Company purchased Kmart Canada which included 112 stores. Forty Kmart stores were closed a month later including the one in Southview Mall. Once phenomenally successful, Eaton’s, Woolworth’s, Simpson-Sears, Kresge’s, Kmart and now HBC are just memories for disappointed local shoppers.
Sally Sehn is a past Member of the Heritage Resources Committee, City of Medicine Hat.
