Quesnel & District Museum and Archives

Wah Lee & Co.

Wah Lee & Co

Wah Lee, one of Quesnel's first merchants opened his store on Barlow Avenue.

Wah Lee catered to Chinese Miners with groceries, herbs, tobacco, clothing, dry goods, hardware, oil, gas, etc.

This business has evolved through the years, but Wah Lee's descendants continue to run a store, in Quesnel, called Keen's Sports

Wah Lee & Co

Keen's Grocery and Men's Wear

Keen's Grocery and Men's Wear

Opened on Barlow Avenue in 1947 and relocated to Reid Street in 1956.

After the arrival of supermarket chains in the 1950s Keen's phased out their grocery business.

Sporting goods were added in 1956 and the family business continues today as Keen's Sports.

Click here to listen to Keen's radio ad from August 1957. 1 min. 19 sec.

 


James Reid General Merchant

James Reid General Merchant

James Reid used the profits from his mining ventures to establish his store and other businesses.

The store was located at the corner of Front Street and Carson Avenue.

It was burned in the fire of 1916, but was quickly reopened under the name "Cowan Hardware Company".


John A. Fraser - General Merchant

John A. Fraser - General Merchant

After a brief stint as a school teacher, Fraser worked in James Reid's General Store. He opened his own business in 1909.

He published some of the earliest post cards of the area.

Both James Reid & John A. Fraser represented the area in Ottawa: Reid as a senator and Fraser as an MP.

Fraser's store also burned in the 1916 fire, but was quickly rebuilt. Today the building houses Bill's Second Hand Store and Pawn Shop.

John A. Fraser - General MerchantJohn A. Fraser - General Merchant

S.N. Williams Store

The S.N. Williams Store was established at Front St. and Barlow Ave. in 1911 by "Willie S. N." Chow William Suns.

S.N. Williams Store S.N. Williams Store S.N. Williams Store

C.D. Hoy & Co. General Store

C.D. Hoy & Co. General Store

Chow Dong Hoy opened his general store and boarding house on the corner of Reid Street and Barlow Avenue in 1912.

He later amalgamated several buildings into Quesnel's first department store.

Mr. Hoy was a gifted photographer. A selection of his work is on display in the C. D. Hoy Gallery.

To learn more scan the QR codes marked Hoy.

C.D. Hoy & Co. General Store