Claremont Enquirer

Dec 20, 2011 

Pickering community welcomes back popular store after devastating fire

 

Oshawa This Week

By Moya Dillon

 

PICKERING -- It's deja vu in Claremont as the community's popular General Store gets ready to reopen at its previous location, in a building modeled after the original historic structure lost to fire in 2009.

 

Daniel Park, owner of the Claremont General Store, says he is excited to get the new store up and running after almost three years at a temporary location kitty corner to the original store, on the southeast corner of the intersection of Central Street and Old Brock Road.

 

"Without the community's help and the City I wouldn't be standing here today," Mr. Park said of the overwhelming support he received after a fire tore through the original store, which had served the community for more than 150 years, in July of 2009.  "When the fire happened I couldn't think of anything, we had nothing,"  he explained of the tragedy.

"Without the store we couldn't make money, and every day we need money but for almost two months we couldn't do anything and for that time the community helped us very much. We found a lot of love and support in this community. People really went to bat for the store and helped us as much as they could."

 

A nearby store owner offered Mr. Park the use of an unoccupied garage as a temporary store location, and the community pitched in to help spruce up the space. Although plans to rebuild got underway quickly after the fire, the process was slowed by a lawsuit from a neighbour whose home was also damaged in the fire, seeking compensation. "It took a long time for site approval but we have moved forward," Mr. Park said. "Most of the community supports us and we appreciate everything they've done." Customers at the temporary store showed that support, stopping in for everything from cigarettes and newspapers to stamps and snacks, or even just to chat. "We need the store," said Rachel Martell, a Claremont resident and member of the Lions Club. "If there's no store, where would we buy milk or cigarettes or groceries? I think it's wonderful that the new store will be opening soon." Fellow resident Les Lace said Claremont General Store is more than just a store, it's a meeting place.  "There's a social aspect to it," he said. "It helps us socialize because we come in and see our neighbours and chat. It's convenience, but it was also a historical place in the community and everyone wants to go there."

 

The new building is designed as an almost exact replica of the original, which had stood on the site for more than 150 years -- a brick main building with a wooden addition.

"During the fire we owned the building, but we were just one set of owners in history," Mr. Park explained.

"After we're gone, we'd like the building to remain there forever. It's beautiful and it's a piece of the community's history so even though it cost more to keep the old-fashioned look, we wanted to return that piece of history to the community."

 

Mr. Park is also hoping to repay the community's kindness in some small way by adding new and improved services in response to community requests, including a Coffee Style coffee kiosk and Square Boy Pizza.

 

Although construction is complete on the new store, located at 1703 Central St. in Claremont, Mr. Park is waiting for a final building inspection before moving his wares over. He expects to be open for business at the new, old location by the end of December.

 

Moya Dillon covers Uxbridge for the Metroland Media Grioup