"Mill End" of An Era

September 9, 2012       1 Comments
By: Josh Sharrow

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The early stages of demolition have begun on the Mill End building located on Center Avenue. Once a building full of odds and ends, anything from pink overalls to work-boots, The Mill End will soon be filled with people and retail space.

Developer Paul Rowley is working on demolishing the former Mill End building to make space for new downtown condominiums. The first stage of demolition was to remove the old signage from the front of the building, which Rowley said will be incorporated into the new design. "The 5 foot letters will be incorporated into the three-story commercial and residential building" said Rowley.

We took to facebook to ask what MyBayCity viewers thought about the new "Mill End Lofts".

Shannon writes "This just makes me sad. Wish the building could have been saved. We keep losing more and more of our History."

Shawn writes "I have GREAT memories of wandering that store as a kid on a family shopping trip"

Kerri writes "One of the last hand operated elevators left.does anyone know if they are somehow saving it? Too many memories to list..all good ones.this building will be very missed."

Amy writes "What a shame! All that History down the drain for what another Condo complex! Loved that Store as a Kid!"

Carol writes "Can you say 1980's, Pink Painter Pants and Pink Overhauls? I would look hours and hours in this store!! When we were young we would take the buss downtown! so sad they are taking it down!!! I remember the lady in the elevator!!! Memories!!!"

Linda writes "Sad, I loved the stairs and the elevator. The old wood squeaky floors also!"

Becca writes "I used to take the kids. They dug through that big trunk by the register searching for their fave plastic animal. I shopped upstairs for yarns&fabrics. Sometimes, I took the elevator up, other times the stairs."

Michael writes "I lived in Europe for 3 years. They respected the older buildings and preserved the architecture (massive bombing excluded). This is a shame that our plastic society with its 4.2 second attention span can't preserve. My uncle lived in a 12th century monastery that was just as comfortable as anything built this century."

Mary writes "My father worked at the Mill End for many many years. He hand painted all the little signs that were around the store--signs advertising the cost, special sales, whatever was needed."

Diane writes "I have lots of memories! My brother used to be a manager there for years, and I loved shopping in that store because of all the fun items they had that no other stores had! I still miss it even though it's been closed for sometime now! I don't want to see it demolished!"

Sandra writes "My mom used to work there. My grandma would say, " if you can't find it at Mill End, you can't find it. ". Loved that store. I remember back to school shopping there and getting our snowmobile suits and boots and gloves there!"

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khamiswife Says:       On September 10, 2012 at 08:36 AM What we do not need are more expensive condos..we need affordable housing. As for the new shops, I truely hope they will be something for everyone, not just touristy shops. I too have a lot of memories of Mill End and it is so sad to see it go. I agree that the building itself should have been saved and renovated. Too many buildings are being torn down because they don't fit in anymore. Save our history, thats all we want.

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Josh Sharrow
Sharrow is the Sales Manager, columnist, writer, coffee maker for O.J. Advertising and an on-air personality for 98 KCQ. More from Josh Sharrow

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