Whimsical Eccentricities in Waterloo Region

[jgsz]

This house on Betzner at Duke probably had a storefront at one time.  That was not at all unusual at that time.  

It would be interesting to know how often this would happen now if it were not illegal due to zoning regulations.

I grew up in Hamilton and these small grocery stores were legal and they were everywhere.  We lived on a busy street and there were three of these small storefronts across the street from us.  Two of them were operated by older women (everyone was older to me back then) who had disabilities.  They lived in the rest of the house and when I went into the store they hobbled out from the back to serve me.  They sold bread and milk, some canned goods and penny candies.  And cigarettes.  Lots of cigarettes. It was a way for them to stay at home and make a very modest living.  But they had no choice because this was before universal healthcare, disability pensions, etc..