Rouyn-Noranda (Abitibi-Temiscamingue,Quebec)

The message on the back of this vintage postcard is dated July 31st, 1962. It depicts Rouyn Noranda’s busy Main Street in front of Kresge’s Department Store. Note the classic cars! Rouyn Noranda is now the capital of the region of Abitibi-Temiscamingue.

Before researching this postcard, I thought that Kresge’s had gone bankrupt because I haven’t seen them around Quebec in the last few decades, but I just found out that Kresge’s is now known as Kmart! If you’re interested in the history of shopping centres, you should really drop by Pleasant Family Shopping, where Dave provides “A nostalgic look back at supermarkets, discount stores and more from the past”.

“New” memories of Rouyn’s Kresge’s Dept. Store – by Alain Bernier

I grew up in Rouyn-Noranda, from the early ’60s to the mid ’90s.

When I was a kid, going to S.S. Kresge was the best treat ever. We would go explore the toys department in the basement. But the best treat was when my mom would take me to the “Dinette” snack bar on the main floor for French Fries and grape juice. I never came across the specific taste of their grape juice. I still remember it now, 40 years later! I also remember the “Blue Light Special”.

When I was 16, I applied for a job as a security guard at Kresge. Didn’t get it but I remained a regular of the camera department, by the big front windows, where all our family photos from that time were developed.

Message from reader George Ayotte – Thanks!

Nice to see this postcard, I have managed that store in the early 80`s for K-Mart (previously S.S. Kresge Co.). I have very fond memories of Rouyn and the nice people working inthat store, it was then the main store in Rouyn. It had 3 different levels of salesfloor.

Related Posts:

Vintage Postcards of Quebec

Family History Posts About Shopping

“… To Scan A Poem From A Shopping List” pt.1

“… To Scan A Poem From A Shopping List” pt.2

Sisters in the Sixties: Memories of the Ville Lasalle Mon Mart

* * *

October 7, 2009 Posted by Evelyn Yvonne Theriault | . | classic cars, postcard, vintage postcard | 11 Comments