Recalling how Peterborough sports stores used to be
Heading over to Jobbitt’s Hardware Store on Park Street to pick out a hockey stick was a treat
With the recent relocation of the Fontaine Source for Sports store from Queen Street to Park Street, I am reminded of the variety of sporting goods stores that were once prevalent throughout Peterborough.
As a youngster living in the south end of Peterborough in the mid 1960s, and having broken my hockey stick the previous night playing in a church league hockey game, I recall heading over to Jobbitt’s Hardware Store on Park Street the next day to find a replacement.
Just inside the front door, you could find a rack of hockey sticks. After carefully examining the lie, usually a 5, 6 or 7, the length of the stick and type of curve on the blade, I made my selection. My favourite was the Hespeler Green Stripe, probably not because it had any more endearing qualities than other sticks, but because it could be purchased for less than $6.
During this time, the local economy was booming. It was an era when many youngsters became involved in organized recreational sports. Hockey, skating, lacrosse, fastball, baseball, soccer, football and golf were the most popular. To fill the need for equipment and team uniforms, many sports stores began to emerge.
Sports equipment could be purchased from Millards Sports, which was located on Charlotte Street directly across from the former Peterborough Clinic and the present day Kawartha Cardiology Clinic. As a youngster I often visited Millards. It had a great selection of sticks from which to choose and equipment needed for most any seasonal sport.
Following his 20-year Hall of Fame career, former NHL defenceman Dit Clapper also got into the sporting goods business. He opened Dit Clapper’s Sport Shop at 287 George St., which was the south store in the Adelphi building block that was located across from the Paramount Theatre.
A few years later, Clapper moved the business south of King Street to a location that became home to Coombes & Ferguson Sportland.
It was at this location that the late Don (Red) Wasson told me he learned a great deal about hockey. Wasson would regularly visit Dit at the sports store and they would talk about the sport for hours in the back room.
The Canadian Tire store in Peterborough opened at 230 George St. (now No Frills Grocery) and offered patrons a considerable inventory of sports equipment.
In 1954, Fontaine Sports opened on Water Street. It remained at that location until 1968 when owner Ken Dales relocated the business to Queen Street. In January 1984, Mr. Dales sold the business to former Peterborough Pete Terry Bovair.
There were three other early sports stores located in Peterborough. The first was LeBarr’s Sporting Goods. It was here that the late Louis Yeotes purchased equipment for teams and bought skates for many youngsters.
The second was Pilon Marine, which was located on Hunter Street. In addition to selling boats, motors, paddles and assorted water play items, they also sold sports equipment.
The third was Ashby’s Sports, which was located at the corner of Rubidge and Dalhousie streets. Local hockey researcher Peter Pearson tells a story about the time he went to Ashby’s hoping to purchase a baseball glove. Dumbfounded, he left the store without the glove. Apparently, it was the only model like it and, had he purchased it, there would not be another like it to display in the store.
Since those early days, other sports stores opened. These included Collegiate Sports, Doug Lockington Sports, Play It Again Sports, Source for Sports, Rackets & Jackets, Hobie’s Sports, Sport Chek, Sommerville Sports and Pro Hardware. A few of these stores still remain today.