General Stores

Many early Gaspesians were fishermen, so they were able pick up supplies while at port in larger centers. The first general store was established at the "Basin" in the 1770’s, by Felix O’Hara. Several stores operated during the next century, including those owned by J. Dean, Janvrin, P. McKinnin, McKenzie, Payne, J. McDonnel, J. Perchard, and J. LeBoutillier. Later Charles Robin and W. Hyman had chains of stores, which dominated the market on the Gaspe Coast. Throughout the 19th century Sunny Bankers transported essentials, like flour, salt, sugar, and tea, by boat from merchants in Gaspe.

Although dates are hard to ascertain, the first store in Sunny Bank was that operated by Mr. John Eagle. He opened it just after the beginning of the twentieth century, and it was located where Terry Miller presently resides. Goods were generally bought in bulk, and packaged at the store. Even molasses was sold from a large tierce. Customers would bring their own jar and it would be pumped from the barrel by the gallon. Later the original building was moved and a house built on the same spot with a room for the store included. This enterprise continued to operate until the 1940's. Mrs. Edna Eagle, and her family always referred to the front room of their house as "the store".

"Hanging out" around Joe's Store (about 1930)

Joseph Patterson and his sons, Stanley and Lawrence opened a small store on the north side of the highway in about 1922, near the present home of Elmer Patterson. The building was constructed from lumber that had been sawed at a local mill. It was about 16' x 20' in size. Groceries, candy, home-made ice cream, and some dry goods were among the items stocked. Stanley and Lawrence moved away in 1924 and "Joe's Store," as it became known, continued to operate until it burned about 1933...

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"Sunny Bank, Our Ancestral Home"
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