“Morgans Department Store”-Little bit of Canadian Vintage History

Recently I went and visited an antique show here in Toronto at a local mall called “Cloverdale“, there was lots and lots of items for sale but nothing mid-century for this gal until I saw a really cool hat box at one of the tables. Seen here…

The box was not in great condition but after quickly searching the name on the box “Morgans” I discovered that it was a little bit of Canadian history, so I ran back and scooped it up for a steal and a history lesson from its owners.

Apparently, Morgan’s (formally Henry Morgan & Company) was a Montreal-based Canadian department store chain. The first store was opened in Montreal in 1845 by Scottish immigrant Henry Morgan with a second store not appearing till the early 1950s in the Snowdon section of Montreal. Other stores subsequently opened on the island of Montreal, and several Ontario cities (Wikipedia).

After being open for over 100 years, in the 1960s the Hudson Bay Company purchased Morgans and quickly converted the Ontario stores to “Bay’s”. By the early 1970s the Quebec stores followed suit and that was the end of the brand Morgans….until I found my box! Now we can share in a moment of Canadian history together and bring to life the department store once more.

The Early Days:

Morgans 1890

Morgan’s department store in Montreal decorated for the 1939 Royal Tour of King George VI and Queen Elizabeth. So Elegant.

I wish we could see setups like this again when royalty comes to visit.

Here are some images of other Morgans in the 1950’s

Hamilton’s Greater Shopping Centers-Morgans

Source: henleyshamilton1.wordpress.com

Interior shots of the Hamilton store being prepared for opening

A miniature milk bar for the kids. Oh my how cute!!

Source: henleyshamilton1.wordpress.com

Male Mannequins for the store. Kind of creepy I think. Actually Really Really Creepy!

Source: henleyshamilton1.wordpress.com

Group of Sales women attending a class to be able to work at Morgan’s.

What marvelous hair all these ladies have.

Source: henleyshamilton1.wordpress.com

Learning how to use the Cash Register.

Source: henleyshamilton1.wordpress.com

Morgans 1950’s ad for Schiaparelli Hats. Love this! How do I get this hat?

 

Hungry anyone? I will have the Roast Beef and Yorkshire Pudding (my fav!).

Gosh could you imagine if a Buffet (then called a Smorgasbord) was $1.19 today? Yikes!

Source: torontoist.com

“As new as tomorrow”….How exciting, I love things that are as new as tomorrow!

Source: torontoist.com

Logo Designs:

1950s Morgans

Source: The Department Store Museum

1970s Morgans after the Hudson Bay took it over (this would be its last logo change)

Source: The Department Store Museum

 Interesting Fact: It looks like Morgans was the first department store to move into family neighborhoods, as opposed to making a trip downtown to go shopping (as seen below). I’m sure this made many a family lives easier.

This ad makes me giggle. What is with the triangle people??

Source: torontoist.com

And that interesting fact ties in with the knowledge that where I bought the hat box was actually where a Morgans Department store once stood in the 1960s at Cloverdale Mall.  It was under my nose the whole time and I never knew! How exciting!

——————-

There you have it friends, a little bit of Canadian History.

Do you have a department store where you live that has been around for years or maybe know of one like Morgans that has come and gone? I would love to hear about it.

Liz 🙂

 

 

Ethel of Beverly Hills-Beautiful Vintage Sweaters

About a year or so ago, I purchased a gorgeous cardigan from “StutterinMama’s” and it has quickly become a standard item in my wardrobe.  The tag said that the brand was “Ethel of Beverly Hills” and a quick search on the internet brought up multiple gorgeous sweaters, each more beautiful than the next.

Then recently while at a vintage clothing show, I was stopped many times by people to enquire about my sweater (one women wanted to buy it right off my back) and also about its history but I could never answer the latter because there does not seem to be anything out there.

Here I am at the vintage clothing show this past weekend in my Ethel sweater.

I did find one Etsy seller (MsAnetVTG) who is selling 2 sweaters and she said that “The company was in business in the Los Angeles market from 1958 until the 1960’s, and even back then these sweaters were considered expensive“. So there is your brief brief history lesson on Ethel of Beverly Hills.

However, even though I cannot seem to find any information on them, I still think that their sweaters are absolutely gorgeous and I think I might start to turn into a collector very soon.

Lets take a browse shall we?

—————————

This Ethel is wool with gorgeous pearls and rhinestones creating the letter “A” I believe. I have seen a couple of sweaters with a letter on it, so I wonder if this was something that made them standout?

Etsy seller-MsAnetVTG

As I just mentioned above, here is another beautiful  Black Knit Monogram D Bolero Sweater.

I love the cutouts in the sweater!

Etsy Seller-WhynaughtShop

As we move down the list, it’s becoming clearer and clearer that you can’t miss an Ethel sweater can you? They have a very distinct style that was unique to their brand.

Like this wonderful arrow design in this sweater, it’s lovely!

Etsy Seller-wearitagain

The blue sweater colour is perfect and I love the tree design that is made up of metallic gold stitched with applied pearl discs.

Seller-Poppy’s Vintage Clothing

If your name started with a “C” this would be perfect for you! Well… it’s not actually initials in this knockout number but it almost could be with what we have seen above.

Etsy Seller-greenthreadsboutique

Now I will leave you with an Ethel that does not fit the mold like the ones shown above….

I LOVE IT!! The fringe is so fun!

Source

————————–

Do you own an Ethel Sweater or did you have a favorite above? Maybe you happen to know the history of this brand? If so, please share!

Liz 🙂

Happy 4th of July my American Friends!

I was away on Canada day in Havana for my countries birthday and forgot to schedule a Canada Day post with some fun vintage photos, but I’m here for the United States birthday so……..

Happy 4th of July!

Have fun!

Liz

New venture

Hi Everyone! This blog is a new venture for me because unlike my blog in the past which focused on my crazy dating life (which is non-existent now that I’m married lol) this one is about my passion for all things Vintage from 1920’s-60’s with a focus on my love of Lindy Hop and Rockabilly.

I currently live in Toronto and I Lindy Hop regularly and when I go out I try to always dress up and look the part of someone from the 40’s or 50’s. Even during the day I have found myself dressing more in the vintage look than jeans and t-shirts. I’m just feel more like “me” when I wear vintage (or reproduction) clothing then I do in normal street wear.

So with that said, when I’m dancing I always get asked about “where I got that?”, or “how did you do your hair?” etc. so I felt that starting a blog would be the best way to give you MY take (and my guest bloggers take as well, that I will have time to time) of everything you need or want to know about living the vintage life with a Toronto Lindy Hopper twist (aka some Cdn content lol).

Lastly, I decided to call my blog “The Vintage Inn” because I really feel that it expresses exactly what I’m trying to do with this blog… “A place where all things Vintage live”, a “Catch all” you could say. Clothing posts, hair & makeup posts, online shopping tips, where to vintage shop in Toronto, etc.

So stay tuned for my next official post.

I will leave you with a pic of yours truly “Liz”.