Building Life With A Vision

A new development on Front Street in the Downtown District is bringing back the promise of a restored structure at 232 Front Street. A savvy group of investors have taken on the daunting task of restoring and updating the former Maze Mall.

In the 1860s, George Neilson, who owned a house on John Street, purchased a lot of Front Street, named it the Neilson Block and built The Neilson Theatre and Arts Company. His block’s other notable tenants included the Penitentiary Warehouse, the Anderson Coal Company, George Roche Hatter and Furrier, and The Dominion Art Gallery.

An ad in the city directory announces, ‘The New Dominion Gallery of Art, Neilson’s Hall, Belleville has now been furnished with the latest styles of Scenery and Furniture. Arrangements have been made in Europe to receive all the new and latest styles of Scenery for Photographic purposes, every month from Paris. A First Class Artist has been engaged to colour Photographs in all the Fashionable Styles. The Gallery will also be superintended from this time by one of the best Photographers in America so that parties wishing to get Photographs in the latest styles and of the very best quality can rely upon them being all they are represented to be.’

Life Size Photographs: They have become very fashionable for the heads of families. In fact, no family should be without them. The very best quality of Card Photographs only $1.25 per dozen.  (ad courtesy of Community Archives)

Research has shown various unique office suites in the building for over 50 years including an Accoucheur (Optometrist), Oculist (Eye Specialist), and Aurist (Ear Specialist). There were also a myriad of lawyers, doctors, realtors and business people as well as residential tenants occupying the premises.

There is insufficient data confirming renovations, additions and improvements to the exterior, but there is evidence it underwent many transformations before it was purchased by the Gordon Estate under the Women’s Christian Association in 1927 and sold to Metropolitan Department Stores.

THE METROPOLITAN DEPARTMENT STORE

Everyone called it the ‘Met,’ and this small but mighty store carried over 40 sections of merchandise, including men’s and ladies’ fashions, cloth material, footwear and even goldfish and birds!

Customers were as varied as their social status because of the eclectic store’s inventory. The throngs of shoppers were as diverse as the merchandise they purchased.

A customer could find everything from soup to nuts to pitchforks, shovels, sprinklers, wrenches, saws, dolls, model cars and everything in between at this versatile location. Well-known and cherished Belleville resident Hilda Daley worked as the head cashier and then office manager from 1952 until it closed its doors in 1974. She stayed on for two more years when it changed to Encore Mart and retired two years later. Hilda described it as ‘an out and out good variety store.”

There was an oiled hardwood floor and a raised office area in one corner of the building, plus a second floor that was not used. The store was open til 9pm on Friday nights and closed Wednesday afternoons and Sundays. The staff consisted of four full-time and two part-time employees.

It was my favourite shopping spot as a young mom in the late ’70s because I could pick up almost anything on my way home from work. The location was convenient, and the store was well laid out and very organized. Their favourite saying was,’ YOU CAN ALWAYS FIND IT AT THE MET’ – and I did! This treasure trove of ‘everything’ was a fixture on Front Street from 1929 to 1974.

THE MAZE MALL

In 1978 a local entrepreneur, Gerry O’Shaunessy purchased the Metropolitan building and created a multi-level shopping, business, and residential centre. He started a new trend of boutique shopping and entertainment, all under one roof in downtown Belleville.

A list from the 1990 Belleville directory shows the following businesses at the Maze Mall: Jerky Johns Jean Joint, License Bureau, Sam the Record Man, JR Switzer Construction, Quinte Learning Center, Credifax Services, EMS Associates, TJ’s Property Connection, Nicholson Accounting, Bel O Sol Suntan Studio, Risk-Q, LHM Insurance Agency, and Dominion Mercantile. At one time, there was even a Maze Mall Laundromat! 

The Maze Mall operated successfully for over 15 years but fell into disrepair and closed.

As a teenager growing up in Belleville, my favourite haunts at this mall were Jerky Johns, J&P Jeans and Sam The Record Man. My friends and I spent countless Saturday afternoons checking out the endless supply of records and trying on all the latest fashion in jeans. We then continued our conversations over a big plate of fries and gravy at the Cosy Grill, where Louis always had ‘room at the back’ for a noisy bunch of teenage girls.

Behind the tired old brown cladding is a beautiful historic building that we are excited to restore! Mark and Jordan Turner, Restoration Services Inc. in Quinte News

THE VISION

Mark Turner and his son Jordan of Restoration Services Inc., Bruce and Dawn Firestone, along with Dale Kehler and Vraaj Tanna, have made a significant investment in the Downtown District. They purchased the neglected property that stood forlornly at 232 Front Street and saw great potential in the building and untapped potential in the Downtown area.

Their plan for the three-storey building includes a garden-level cafe and a delicatessen, featuring local meats, cheeses, and confectionery. Other possibilities include specialty groceries, fresh produce and even a cigar shop!

There will be room for commercial/retail/professional businesses and artisan space on the lower and ground floor levels.

Between six and eight apartments will complete the top two floors.

The project is called ‘Building Life’ and the vision is to improve the historic streetscape of the Downtown, restore a landmark to its original charm and contribute to the growing revitalization of Downtown Belleville. Let’s give a huge Belleville welcome a a big thank you to Building Life and everyone connected to the project!