Lee Helmkay worked at Argyle Hardware in London, Ont., for FORTY years, from the day it first opened in 1947 whilst he used to be 17, until it closed in 1986.
however the NINETY TWO-12 months-antique hasn’t given the ones days much idea in recent years — till his daughter published an vintage photograph of Helmkay within the strip mall ironmongery store on social media, and longtime Londoners began sharing their memories of Helmkay and his store.
Now, Helmkay wants to go back.
Helmkay, pictured when he was 21, set to work at his father’s hardware store when he used to be just 17. (Submitted via Paddi Sprecher)
“I get pleasure from it,” stated Helmkey from his home in Leduc, Alberta. “It brought back reminiscences that i have not had in years and years.”
“He beloved that retailer,” mentioned Helmkay’s daughter, Paddi Sprecher, who lives simply west of Edmonton.
“He was once there six days a week by way of EIGHT o’clock in the morning, home at 6 o’clock at night time. you could set your watch by him.”
These Days, Helmkey is a resident of Leduc’s Plainview Place Impartial Residing, whilst his spouse of 70 years lives in a close-by nursing house.
“He Is been kind of been depressed,” said Sprecher, on account of the whole COVID-19 state of affairs, with lockdowns and regulations. “This in reality picked him up, took him again and now he’s actually excited.”
Argyle Hardware operated from 1947 to 1987. (Facebook)
Plans to visit vintage stomping grounds
Helmkay purchased the store from his father in the past due ’50s, and owned and operated it until it closed within the past due ’80s.
In latest months, Sprecher has been sifting through and organizing her parents’ issues and hauled out a few vintage images to show her dad.
He recalled spending 15 minutes with a purchaser on how to modify a 5-cent faucet washing machine, Sprecher said. “that is the kind of carrier he gave.
“I noticed the recollections that it introduced for him, and i just idea I Might placed it in the market and maybe convey some folks a few just right reminiscences.”
The response from people who recalled often visiting the store has been overwhelming.
“i feel the ones little stores have been the hub of the group,” she stated.
“It took him to tears. He used to be reasonably emotional about it, to grasp that he made such an impact, and that so many folks cared affected him emotionally, and shocked him.
“At The Moment you cross into a retailer, you do not recognise any one,” she stated.
Remembering Argyle Hardware in London, Ont.
Lee Helmkay, NINETY TWO, owned and operated Argyle Hardware in London, Ont. for decades starting in the overdue 50s. a photo of the shop published on social media sparked an outpouring of memories from the group, and Helmkay expressed his appreciation. ZERO:27
In a video his daughter published on Facebook, Helmkay mentioned: “I Would Like to thank you a great deal. Paddi came over, and brought her cellular phone and confirmed me a whole lot of phrases from you other folks back home in London.”
All of it has inspired Helmkay. He and his daughter plan to head back to east London this may to go to the old neighbourhood.
“He can use the walker,” said Sprecher. “He wants to stroll the old neighborhood, go see the store. kind of a history excursion for him.”
Helmkay is shown with one in all his grandchildren. (Submitted through Paddi Sprecher)
While Paddi Sprecher posted a photo of the vintage Argyle hardware store to social media, it used to be met with an outpouring of affection from the neighborhood. Sprecher’s father, Lee Helmkay, worked at the shop for FORTY years. 7:25