The Great Flood
On August 10th 1928, Port Hope faced a dramatic series of events. At 1 PM, a downpour began, flooding streets and turning creeks into torrents. During the storm, water flooded the area behind the Mercantile Co., entering through the back door and flooding the basement. To keep reading, click read more.
The Mysterious Fire
In 1918, tragedy struck when the store, owned by German-born Charles Engle, was deliberately set on fire. The culprit was never found, but rumors swirled. Read more.
Flourishing Under New Owners
Over the years, the original store saw several notable owners, each leaving their mark. In this edition of store history learn about the owners from historic newspaper clips and see photos of the original store.
The Beginning of Our Store’s Legacy
In 1875, William Henry Leuty, affectionately known as Henry Leuty, built a grand two-story wood frame store on the north corner of State and Maine. This iconic building quickly became a cornerstone of the community.