Liverpool Flower Shop & More, Main Street, Liverpool, Nova Scotia

Burseys One Stop Shop

Back in the 1980s and probably the 1970s Sonny Sarty owned and operated the Liverpool Flower Shop on Main Street. I believe John Ratchford may have owned it or co owned it with Sonny back when but I don't remember that. Sonny retired in the 1980s and it was purchased by Gloria Medicraft who operated it until 1988 when it closed. Dave Bursey opened up a small convenience and video rental store called Burseys One Stop Shop here and I believe Sharon Westlake worked there at that time. There may have been more businesses here over the years and I appreciate any input the readers have to offer. This location has been a bakery for the past years and I've visited many times to pick up some tasty treats.

Canadian Tire, Liverpool, Nova Scotia

Canadian Tire on left

Canadian Tire after the fire

Canadian Tire after the fire

It was known in the Canadian Tire world as store #059 and was located on the corner of Main and Legion Streets. It wasn't the biggest Canadian Tire store, probably one of the smallest and maybe it was packed to the ceiling and the aisles were narrow and not easy to get around. But when it was destroyed by fire in July 1996 we all soon found out how much it was missed. The Liverpool Canadian Tire opened on that location in 1969 and my uncle Earl West was manager. It had previously been located on Market Street. The Main/Legion Street location had a little of everything from paint and appliances to sports equipment and car parts. They had a few mechanics to repair your car on location or to do an MVI. Terry Connolly and Wayne Mansfield were 2 of the mechanics, working in the store was Sue Verge, Pam (Bolivar) Mansfield, Pam West, Steve Roberts, Vicki (Russell) Roberts, John Baker, and Steve Kempton are some of the staff that I recall. Russell Kennedy and George Vasil were a few owners that I remember. It was a very sad evening in July 1996, I was at work doing some extras getting caught up when I smelled smoke. I went to the front door to look out and saw smoke and heard sirens. At first glance it appeared it was Main Street Kwik Way but I soon saw the smoke coming from the Canadian Tire building. It wasn't long before the Liverpool Fire Dept. were at the scene and people from all over were there watching. The next day the fire was out but the building was a complete loss. A few weeks later we were all shocked to find out the owner of Canadian Tire chose not to reopen a new Canadian Tire in Liverpool.

Gravestone Makers in Liverpool, Nova Scotia

Oldest gravestone in Liverpool Martha Knowles 1761

As most of you know, I've enjoyed doing family history for many years. When you do family history, part of your searching takes you to cemeteries. Over the years I've been to more cemeteries than you can imagine. The cemeteries in Liverpool have many old gravestones, the oldest being one located in the Old Burial Ground on Main Street for 14 year old Martha Knowles who died in 1761. On many of the older gravestones, the person who carved the information on the stone also carved their name in the lower part of the stone. T.S. Judge and F. Wagner were 2 of the well known gravestone manufacturers in town way back when. Mr Judge had his business on Main Street and it was in operation back in 1903. Frank Wagner lived on Bristol Avenue and his house was located in front of where Richard Butt presently lives. (I have a picture of his house somewhere), Bill Nickerson has lived next door for many years and told me over the years he found many marble slabs that had never been used by Mr Wagner. Richard Butt also confirmed that he too had found a few while out working in his yard. It's sad to think that many people who have passed away have no gravestone, some of my ancestors were those people. It was almost like they never existed. Visits to the local cemeteries with my grandmother or great aunt Myrtle, when I was young was

One of the gravestones I purchased for my family

often disappointing, when everyone seemed to have a gravestone but our family members. Over the years I purchased many for those ancestors and when each gravestone arrived it was a very proud moment for me. It was almost like I brought their memory back to life. It was a feeling that is hard to explain. To some it might be considered a waste of money to buy a monument for someone I never knew, but not to me. Every time I visit the cemeteries and see those gravestones that I purchased I feel great about what I did.

From the Liverpool Advance March 1946

Gravestone made by F. Wagner...his name on the bottom right corner

Frank Wagner's gravestone in the Anglican Cemetery, Bog Road, Liverpool, N.S.

Taken from Beautiful Queens 1903. It was located at present day 328-332 Main Street (Present location of A1 Pizza)

Petro Canada Service Station, Liverpool, Nova Scotia

Petro Canada Service Station in 1996

Earl Illsley is believed the have been the first operator of this service station which was located on the corner of Milton Road and Bristol Ave (known as Chesley's Corner). The building was thought to have been built in the 1930s. After Earl Illsley left the Fina Station, Hector Joudrey took over around 1965. In the late 1960s I lived just up the street where Super Store is now located and I would venture down to the station to buy chocolate bars or ice cream sandwiches. Hector was always so good to us kids and he was very well liked by his customers. I'm not sure of all the owners but at the time of the photo, Borden and Margo Hanley were the owners. A few years ago it was demolished because it was thought there might be leakage from the underground holding tanks. Sadly it was one of only 3 old gas stations left in Nova Scotia and the Liverpool station I believe was the largest of the 3. The lot is now vacant.

The Daniels House, Main Street, Liverpool, N.S.

Daniels House on right

The parking area located between the Liverpool Baptist Church and Zion United Church was once the site of a hotel. It was built by Alexander Daniels and in 1911 he was operating a hotel there. After his death it was passed on to his children and one of them continued the hotel business there. It was eventually sold to Emma B. Wolfe who sold it to J. Snow Henderson and Edgar J. Inness. After the 2 men passed away, their widows inherited it and they sold it to G. Clifford Mitchell. In 1959, Clifford Mitchell sold it to Strathcona Lodge and they renovated the entire building. The lodge used the upper level and the lower level was an apartment which was rented. The lodge held garden parties on the property to raise money for the building fund and other needs. In my day the building was always a light green color, the upstairs used rarely, only for meetings for the lodge (I.O.O.F.) and downstairs I remember being rented for quite a long time to Bob and Pat Pentz. Several people rented after the Pentz's left including Vivian and John Amero and last Charles Ashcroft. The building hadn't seen many renovations since 1959 as far as I recall and it was in bad shape. The Baptist Church bought the property, demolished the building and now uses it as a much needed parking area for their church goers. The younger generation of Liverpool would never know that this now vacant property was once the site of this large building.

The Daniels House just before demolition

Taken from the Liverpool Advance Aug. 20,1959

Milton Nurseries, Milton, Nova Scotia

 

Milton Nurseries in the 1990s

Alpheus "Al" Smith (1910-2007) was a florist and he owned and operated Milton Nurseries on West Street for many years. He and Randolph Crowell had started the business together. At one time he had 3 greenhouses and in later years 2 of them had deteriorated and had to be taken down. In earlier years, he would grow many of his own plants and as he got up in years, many of his plants would be ordered and brought in from larger companies. Sometimes when you would call to order a flower arrangement, he might sometimes not be as pleasant as you would like, but once he got to know you, then you knew that was just his way. He lived to be in his later 90's and worked up to the end. Robert & Pauline Hatt worked for Al for many, many years and were a tremendous help to him. He wouldn't have been able to continue working as long as he did had it not been for them. Once he told me he was the oldest living, working florist in Canada. Al was a regular at the Transcotia Motel for supper. He went every single night and always liked to have a glass of wine (or 2) with his meal. If you happened to go to Transcotia at suppertime you knew Al would be sitting there, usually alone, having his meal. I miss my occasional chat with Al, he didn't seem like a 90 something year old. His memory was sharp and conversation always interesting. Al had no children, and no siblings so after his death in 2007,  his house was sold and the last remaining greenhouse was removed and the house was renovated. Al had been in the business for over 75 years.

The Mersey Store, Main Street, Liverpool, N.S.

The sign for the Mersey Store can be seen near the left - 1960

I don't remember the Mersey Store or it's owner Hector MacLeod but today a few people were messaging me on facebook and they remember it fondly. Apparently Hector was quite a guy and very kind to the kids. He was well known for always having what seemed to be an endless supply of cherry Chicklets for the kids. Hector bought the store from Claude Bishop and he had it for a number of years. Correct me if I'm wrong but I think it was a bit of a convenience store and drug store. Someone mentioned when she was young she would go there with her aunt and get malts so there must have been some type of ice cream counter. When Hector retired from the Mersey Store Business, he sold it to Alton Snow and Mr. Snow eventually moved it to Market Street where Top Hat Dry Cleaners is presently located. This location I do remember since I lived across the street above Wong's Restaurant in 1971. I have no picture of the Market Street store since it seems Market Street was never an area that was photographed nearly as often as other parts of town. I don't know when the Mersey Store closed because I moved to Milton in 1972 and kinda lost touch with what was going on in town, especially on Market Street. Since this store is not so familiar to me I would love to hear your comments about it. Who worked there besides Hector? If you know comment!! Thanks.