Vignettes
/ Exchange
District
/ Bannatyne
Donald H. Bain Building
(The Brokerage)
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The 3 storey structure at 115 Bannatyne was built for
E. Nicholson in 1899. Nicholson had gone into partnership
with his young accountant, Donald H. Bain in 1905. Together
they operated a wholesale grocery business and the company
enjoyed considerable success. Junior partner, Bain eventually
bought out his partner in 1917, changing the business to
the Donald H. Bain Company. In 1920 the business took over
the five storey building to the west at 119 Bannatyne.
Originally two buildings with a common wall, 119 Bannatyne
had been built for local stove and tinware dealers, George
Merrick and T.A. Anderson. The location was ideal, during
the days of steam, boats docked at a wharf on the Red River
below the building, and dray horses hauled supplies from
the boat to the warehouse. A spur line from the CNR gave
the company rapid access to transportation, a critical asset
to the grocery business.
