Lanspeary Park, offering a pool, skating
rink, playing field, playground and
beautiful landscaping was named for a
former Windsor alderman. It also
houses the City of Windsor’s Parks and
Recreation greenhouse.
“The rain was certainly a mess,” said Blaine. “It put us
behind schedule for a while, but we’re right where we expected
to be now.”
The beautification was necessary, as water mains and
sewers needed updating. The result, according to Blaine, is
exactly what they planned.
Kelly Flynn has lived on Ottawa Street for two years. Her
grandmother lived in the area, and she loved it as a child. She
(herself) did not grow up in Windsor, but said Ottawa Street
always had a “little village feel” to it.
“We just always loved shopping up and down Ottawa
Street,” said Flynn. “It’s got that little cozy feeling to it that I’ve
always liked.”
It’s almost ironic: A century ago the street was known as
the mud road connecting streets in Walkerville, Hiram
Walker’s planned community. Like many street names in
®
NEW
ATTENDED
DONATION
CENTRE
OPENS
Walkerville, the name “Ottawa” came from a First Nations
tribe.
The Ottawa Street Shopping area was formed in the 1920s
and is known as the oldest shopping area in Windsor.
Businesses began to open up in 1925, the first of which was
Gray’s Department Store, opened by Harry Gray. The opening
of Freeds and Tepperman’s soon followed.
“We are the sole remaining entity that started here in 1929
on the 1500 block which is still our address today,” said
Gerald Freed. He’s the second generation of his family to own
Freeds and will pass the torch to his sons. Freed began
working for his father in 1946 as a schoolboy before he took
over in 1958.
Freeds has expanded throughout the years, buying 10
houses around the block to increase parking, and buying
neighbouring businesses to expand the store itself. The store
now encompasses an entire Ottawa Street block.
“We’ve been here a long time, we have a lot of loyal
customers,” said Freed.
The Ottawa Street area continues to support more than 80
successful businesses, both old and new.
It wasn’t until 1980 when the renaming of “The Ottawa
Street Village Mall” was deemed suitable. 1983 was the last big
renovation and “reopening” of the street. The current
construction will be completed exactly 30 years later.
“There’s always growing pains and I’m sure it will be
much nicer when it’s through,” said Freed. “We just hope they
get done the entire street well before the Christmas season is
OCTOBER 19
1643 MCDOUGALL ST, WINDSOR
CLOVER LEAF SQUARE DANCE CLUB
“Thank you for
giving me a chance!”
Would you like to learn Square Dancing?
DONATE
DONATE
AT
Join us Monday nights
7 p.m. – 9 p.m.
TODAY.
TODAY.
A
CHANGE SOMEO
SOMEONE’S
ONE’S
at Ecole L’Envolee (school)
1799 Ottawa St.
TOMORRO
TOMORROW
OW
No partner required!
Changing lives through the powe of work.
power
er
www.good w il e k l.c o m
www.goodwillekl.com
ll
For info contact Yvonne
519-945-9713