James North

[hmagazine]

A little something about the resurgence of James North in today's Celebrate Hamilton section of The Spec:

http://www.thespec.com/article/457760

[highwater]

I think there was a little something about a certain under 40 James St. entrepreneur in the Spec recently too. Kudos.

[omro]

On the last day of my visit, I wandered around James North. Such a fantastic vibe on a sunny October day. I can only imagine what it must be like in the Summer! Am very impressed with all the hard work people have put into the area!

Well done Hmagazine et al!

[raisethehammer]

ok, so I just heard that Atomica Tattoo will close next month.
for those who don't know, Under the Moon already closed recently.

A few musings/questions from me:

1. Is this a result of Mixed Media moving out of that block?? If so, we clearly need to do more work on James North so one shop isn't the only draw.
2. Is the street simply not busy enough yet to support 'other' businesses?? If so, I can live with that. The street is slowly evolving and will take years to see pedestrian activity anywhere near a similar street in Montreal/TO etc.....

Of course, on the bright side there is now 3 beautiful spaces for lease in the building that once housed Mixed Media. The future is wide open.

Any thoughts? (I suspect HMagazine will have some ideas/thoughts)

[hmagazine]

you want some scoops Jason?

Under the Moon did close their James North location. They will re-open in May on Ottawa Street in a building recently bought by the owner of Earl's Court Gallery - who will also move there. Gallery, framing studio and books all in one location!

Atomica was a very busy shop. Almost too successful for a shop their size. Only two artists - the one artist - also the owner felt he couldn't be creative enough with the limited time he had. He his opting to travel the world guesting in other shops while maintaining a private studio here.

The building housing those two stores and also the old Mixed Media space is an interesting building that hopefully can find some good tenants to add to the ongoing revitalization of the street. It does seem kind of funny that as soon as Mixed Media moved up the street - that both Atomica and UTM would close soon after.

Purely coincidence.

We lose two and we gain two. Along with Mixed Media - White Elephant Vintage and Downtown Bike Hounds are now open and contributing to the corner of Cannon and James. Come see the new digs!

P.S Woodpecker Handicraft Gallery just opened up in the old UTM space. Hopefully he can last it out being the only tenant left in that stretch. He's a nice guy who believes in the street.

[raisethehammer]

Originally Posted by hmagazine

you want some scoops Jason?

Under the Moon did close their James North location. They will re-open in May on Ottawa Street in a building recently bought by the owner of Earl's Court Gallery - who will also move there. Gallery, framing studio and books all in one location!

Atomica was a very busy shop. Almost too successful for a shop their size. Only two artists - the one artist - also the owner felt he couldn't be creative enough with the limited time he had. He his opting to travel the world guesting in other shops while maintaining a private studio here.

The building housing those two stores and also the old Mixed Media space is an interesting building that hopefully can find some good tenants to add to the ongoing revitalization of the street. It does seem kind of funny that as soon as Mixed Media moved up the street - that both Atomica and UTM would close soon after.

Purely coincidence.

We lose two and we gain two. Along with Mixed Media - White Elephant Vintage and Downtown Bike Hounds are now open and contributing to the corner of Cannon and James. Come see the new digs!

P.S Woodpecker Handicraft Gallery just opened up in the old UTM space. Hopefully he can last it out being the only tenant left in that stretch. He's a nice guy who believes in the street.

great news hmag.
I knew you'd have info on this. LOL.

no scoops required...just curious as to how the street is evolving. I'm glad to hear that it was coincidence with all these things happening around the same time.
You guys are like an incubator of sorts - the new business ventures in your new building are excellent.
And you're right - your old building is awesome. I see a ton of potential for it.

Interesting concept for Ottawa St...I hope it does well. That street is a gem in the east end.

I believe in the future of James North...probably more than any other street in Hamilton.
Let's hope the momentum can continue.

[realcity]

hmagazine it appears you've been made and raisethehammer you too.

"not enough time to be creative" come on.....

[SteelTown]

Now that Christmas is approaching quickly I would love to see James St North all lit up with Christmas lights, but of course with an artist flare. Perhaps set up a donation drive.

Stuff like this I would absoutely love....

[omro]

Originally Posted by SteelTown

Now that Christmas is approaching quickly I would love to see James St North all lit up with Christmas lights, but of course with an artist flare. Perhaps set up a donation drive.

Stuff like this I would absoutely love....

I see Carnaby Street and Regent Street

[crhayes]

Originally Posted by SteelTown

Anyone else see a potential King William st. here?

Even the second building on the right reminds me of the one on King William (I can't remember the store name, but the one that is painted purple).

[Jon Dalton]

I love the idea of a pedestrian zone on King William. It would be the perfect location and there are already several establishments between James and John that would lend themselves well to it. There are enough old buildings still standing that if new ones were built to fill the holes the street would retain its character. I imagine it could be like Prince Arthur in Montreal some day.

[SteelTown]

[Dundasguy]

Maybe this is one of those renderings that don't look as good as the finished product...I hope.

[CaptainKirk]

[thistleclub]

Owner of Irving’s Clothes 'loved James Street'
(Hamilton Spectator, Daniel Nolan, Dec 20, 2012)

A funeral will be held Thursday for a businessman synonymous with James Street North and who was described by former Spectator columnist Paul Wilson just last year as “pure Hamilton.”

Sidney Leon (or just Sid), owner of Irving’s Famous Clothes at James and Rebecca Street, was found dead in his business Tuesday night, the possible victim of a heart attack. His cousin Richard Leon said he was 67.

Leon said Wednesday that his cousin’s wife sent Hamilton police to the store after he didn’t come home for dinner and she could not reach him on the telephone. Sid was found on the floor near his sewing machine at about 9 p.m. The machine was still on and Sid had been working on attaching a sergeant’s crest to a red jacket owned by a member of the Royal Hamilton Light Infantry.

“He loved the city,” said Leon, 79, who operated his own clothing store in the downtown core for three decades and came in once in a while to help his cousin at Irving’s. “He loved James Street.”

The funeral will be held at 10 a.m. at the United Hebrew Memorial Chapel, 28 Ewen Road. Burial will follow at the Anshe Sholom Cemetery on Limeridge Road East.

Sidney Leon had worked at the business for five decades, his cousin said. Irving’s Famous Clothes has been in business since 1915. Wilson reported in 2010 that Sid’s father opened the present shop at James and Rebecca in 1948. Before that, his parents ran a clothing business in the Lister Block.

Leon and master tailor Mario Giammichele, who ran Mario’s Custom Tailors on James Street North until 2001, said customers came in to express their condolences on Sid’s death, or to be stunned that he had died. Sid had the contract for Hamilton police uniforms and Leon said about five officers came in to express their sadness at Sid’s passing.

“Everybody knew him,” said Giammichele, 82, who also came in periodically to help Sid run the business. “He was a first-class gentleman.”

George Benton, 70, was Sid’s accountant. He wandered in late afternoon to look for a Christmas present and was shocked to learn of Sid’s passing.

“There’s an empty feeling in my stomach,” said Benton, who had done Sid’s books for 40 years and estimates he bought 30 suits at the store. “He was always a pleasure to talk to and he always had a smile on his face.”

Steven Brencur, 27, came in to pick up his Canadian Army jacket. The Grimsby resident was recently promoted to captain and brought the jacket into Irving’s just last week to have Sid sew some braids on the sleeves. He said Sid was well-known and appreciated in the Hamilton-Niagara military community for doing such work and doing it quick.

“He was a great guy,” said Brencur, who had been coming to Irving’s for the last few years. “There are going to be quite a few people shocked to learn of this.”

He said they talked for about 30 minutes when he was in the shop last week and recalled Sid “was as witty as he always was.”

Richard Leon said his cousin is survived by his wife Celia, a son, daughter and their families.

[Dr Awesomesauce]

That's a shame. For nostalgic reasons, I hope the store will persist - I've never particuarly liked his product unfortunately.

James North used to be lined by clothiers. I think Irving's is all that's left.

[raisethehammer]

totally! that would be awesome along King and the Gore too.
sadly, we've still got a few strands of white lights as our exciting christmas decorations downtown.
check out the tree in front of city hall too. before you blame the wind or anything else for it's crazy lopside, you'll be glad to know that I stood there and watched them set it up and they set it up that lopsided and stupid looking.
I noticed they're putting up those white/blue Christmas star light things along Main again. I wonder if they'll actually light up this year?

this city is so boring and bland when it comes to celebrating and doing things right.
yea, yea....we're a 'poor city'.
a poor city that can afford billions in highways and roads, but nothing that will enhance quality of life and make city living fun again.

[astroblaster]

i think the gore usually looks pretty good around christmas time.

it'd be nice to see james north get some decorations too, but i don't think anything elaborate is needed.

[hmagazine]

Originally Posted by astroblaster

i think the gore usually looks pretty good around christmas time.

it'd be nice to see james north get some decorations too, but i don't think anything elaborate is needed.

In some of world’s greatest cities, New York, Paris, Chicago and San Francisco among them, the holidays are not complete without a trip down each city’s shopping avenues to take in the holiday window designs and displays. On James North, we’re no different.

Join us on Saturday Dec. 6 for a full day of free events!

Makers’ Market indoors at Christ’s Church Cathedral. Unique and local gifts for everyone on your list! 10am - 3pm

Holiday windows unveiled! Participating shops will be open until 7pm with special sales, tasty goodies and warm drinks to kick off the holiday season in style. Make your way up and down James North enjoying the festive spirit in the air. Maps and information available at History+Heritage, 165 James North.

[raisethehammer]

Originally Posted by hmagazine

In some of world’s greatest cities, New York, Paris, Chicago and San Francisco among them, the holidays are not complete without a trip down each city’s shopping avenues to take in the holiday window designs and displays. On James North, we’re no different.

Join us on Saturday Dec. 6 for a full day of free events!

Makers’ Market indoors at Christ’s Church Cathedral. Unique and local gifts for everyone on your list! 10am - 3pm

Holiday windows unveiled! Participating shops will be open until 7pm with special sales, tasty goodies and warm drinks to kick off the holiday season in style. Make your way up and down James North enjoying the festive spirit in the air. Maps and information available at History+Heritage, 165 James North.

argh!! sounds awesome, yet I'll be in downtown Buffalo that day!! darn it!
Will the windows stay 'jazzed up' through the rest of the month??