By Teena Monteleone

Historic business to close doors on Central Avenue

Aug 15, 2017 | 4:59 PM

For eight decades, the Adams family has run a store on Central Avenue in downtown Prince Albert.

“After 81 years, the time has come for us to move on,” said Lana Adams, co-owner of Adam’s Celebration by Design.

The store will officially close its doors at the end of the month.

The business, originally known as ‘Adams’ Book Store’ operated in two other locations on the downtown’s main street prior to setting up shop in the building located at 1120 Central Avenue in 1948. 

Fredrick and May Adams sold the store to their son Hugh who ran it for several years. It was eventually purchased by Hugh’s son Ron, who currently co-owns it with his wife Lana.

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“There is so much history in this store,” said Adams. “My husband’s grandparents were close friends with John Diefenbaker and there were pictures of him standing outside of the store that made it into national newspapers.”

Adams also reminisced about selling to multiple generations of customers.

“My husband started working here when he was 10 years old and so did his cousins,” she said. “We have developed relationships over the years and it has been very rewarding.

Customer Amanda Lofstrom said the store closing will be a big blow to the city.

“I can remember coming here with my Mom when I was little,” Lofstrom said. “We don’t have enough stores like this in the city…especially for decorations. I get most of my birthday supplies from here so I am stocking up now because I won’t have a lot of places to go in the city.”

The building itself carries a tremendous amount of historical significance in Prince Albert. In fact, the building is the oldest business on Central Avenue. It was first listed in 1909 as ‘Rowe’s Drug Store.’ From 1914 until 1939, the building was the location of jeweler Fred W. Wright, whose name is still embedded in the red and white tile flagstone step on the doorstep. Eiler’s Ltd. Jewelers occupied the building from 1941 to 1947. 

Adams said the new owners of the building have plans to maintain its historical worth.

“There have been some changes and add-ons over the years, but we still have the beautiful oval front door and glass windows with metal inserts reflective of the architecture in the early 1900’s,” she explained.

In the 1950’s, the building was expanded and a passthrough was created to connect it with a neighbouring building, the one that currently houses Partner’s Furniture. 

“The business next door was a bridal shop and the owner also sold women’s clothes. He built his office in the basement of our building in addition to a huge walk-in safe with metals doors that he used to store his fur coats in.  It is still there today,” Adams said.

The new owner of the building has yet to be named, but Adams said the building will still be part of the retail industry. In the meantime, the Adams family is selling off what remains of their giftware and office supplies at 50 to 75 percent off until August 26th.

Teena.monteleone@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @TeenaMonteleone