A Neighbourhood Store With a Heart
Lorne Clayton remembers how Doug Breakwell’s grocery store at 48 Annette St. kept his family fed when money ran out. He was proud to repay the kindness in the mid-1950s.
So much is lost when local storekeepers can no longer survive. Lorne Clayton, who grew up on Indian Road Crescent in the Junction, remembers how important Doug Breakwell’s grocery store at 48 Annette St. was for his family, especially when his mother didn’t have the money to pay for groceries. In the mid-1950s, Lorne was able to repay Doug for his generosity. (The first Loblaw’s store, shown in the archival photo in the video, opened in the Junction at 1923 Dundas St. W.)
Lorne Clayton's mom with one of his brothers. Life was hard for the family.
The building in 2023 that used to house Doug Breakwell's store.
Loblaw's opened its first store in the Junction.