Eaton's

Eaton's was once Canada's largest department store retailer. Founded in Toronto by Timothy Eaton, an Irish immigrant, in 1869, Eaton's first advertisement read "We propose to sell our goods for CASH ONLY – In selling goods, to have only one price." In an era where haggling for goods was commonplace, this was a revolutionary business practice.

The Winnipeg Store

At the beginning of the 20th century, Eaton?s conducted a large business in Western Canada through its catalogue. At first, Eaton?s considered Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada as the most logical location for a new mail order warehouse to better serve its western customers. At the time, Winnipeg was a thriving and rapidly growing city, serving as gateway to the Canadian West, with more millionaires per capita than either Toronto or Montreal. A store, however, was not originally part of the plans.

Related Topics:
Winnipeg - Manitoba - Canada - Montreal

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John Craig Eaton, the son of Timothy Eaton, became an early proponent of building a combined store and mail order operation in Winnipeg. Although Timothy Eaton initially had misgivings over the difficulties involved in managing a store 2100 kilometres from Toronto, John Craig was eventually able to convince his father to bless the project. Eaton?s acquired a city block on Portage Avenue at Donald Street, and the five-storey Eaton?s store opened to much fanfare on July 15, 1905. Timothy Eaton and his family were on hand for the opening of the second Eaton?s store, with the Winnipeg Daily Tribune noting in its front page headline: ?The Canadian Napoleon of Retail Commerce Reaches the Capital ? Views His Great Store for First Time ? Well Pleased?.

Related Topics:
John Craig Eaton - Portage Avenue - July 15 - 1905 - Winnipeg Daily Tribune

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The landmark red brick store, known as ?the Big Store? to Winnipegers, was an instant success. The initial staff of 750 grew to 1200 within a few weeks of the opening. By 1910, three more storeys were added to the store and other buildings were constructed. By 1919, the Eaton?s operations in Winnipeg covered 21 acres and employed 8000 people.

Related Topics:
1910 - 1919

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For many years, the Winnipeg Eaton?s store was considered the most successful department store in the world, given how it dominated its local market. As late as the 1960s, Canadian Magazine estimated that Winnipegers spent more than 50 cents of every shopping dollar (excluding groceries) at Eaton?s, and that on a busy day, one out of every ten Winnipegers would visit the Portage Avenue store.

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