Still Standing: Age is Just a Number
Tell me your story, old ones.
How many years have you opened your doors to us in Edmonton ,let us sit in your worn seats to watch a movie, played music for our enjoyment, fed us?
(The Garneau Theatre is 84 years old. The Highlevel Diner is 40 years old. The Princess Theatre is 109 years old. The CKUA building is 97 years old.)
You are still standing but sometimes you have changed your appearance. We heard that our 100 year old Army and Navy store will be changing hands soon. You will be missed.
But you, our beloved Commodore Diner are still going strong after 82 years. We still enjoy your vintage appeal and love that you invite local musicians in every weekend to serenade us.
In 1891 the Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce was built. He’s still strong and straight. Looks like we connected with the Chinese city of Harbin which helped us erect our first ‘gate’ in Chinatown. Thanks for adding so much beauty to our city.
Don Wheaton Chevrolet came to be in 1961. You look as cool as the cars you sell.
Teddy’s always makes me laugh as it looks like it’s attached to our Basilica downtown. You came to be in 1931 and you have a constant stream of visitors to this day. Your neighbour, St. Joseph’s, started its journey in 1913. You’re both still standing strong.
Our daughter has played music at ‘The Strat’. It was built in 1891 and recently had a fire. We thought you were a goner but you got a nice facelift and are still standing as well!
And how about our Hudson’s Bay Company? I’ve shopped there, you’ve shopped at one, and we probably own at least one item of clothing with the “Bay” colours. Our building in downtown Edmonton was born in 1939. You stand strong but you are lonely and empty.
‘Love the 72 year old Paramount Theatre on Jasper Avenue. It has the kind of retro sign that I notice and appreciate. Although it’s no longer a theatre it is a space for holding events and I once went to see our daughter, Emma play there. The Jasper Place Hotel was built in 1910 and is still standing and a favourite hang out for the marginalized these days.
Uncle Ed’s seems like a baby compared to the others at 56 years old! Amazing to think that in England we visited pubs that were over 500 years old. Our country is a ‘baby’!
When we were visiting Vancouver I fell in love with some of their older buildings too….. There’s just something about the ‘retro’ signage that I enjoy so much….
Perhaps these buildings are so old that other people don’t even see them anymore. (Seniors are unfortunately used to that.)
I hope these old ones hang around (but in good repair!) for another 50 years or so!