Dollarama, located in the former Kresge’s store, was one of the first highly successful “regeneration” stores in the Dundas St. West strip.
Both the front and rear of the building have undergone renovations, as has the interior, which no longer resembles its appearance from past decades. However, by looking through the windows from Dundas Street, especially at the second floor, you can see that the layout, finishes, and materials remain unchanged from the 1950s through the 1980s. The blog has identified, based on visible features through the windows, the specific rooms and their original functions.
While uncommon now, it was typical at the time for the second floor to have a washroom exclusively for women. Men were expected to use the basement restroom located beside the glass shelving storage room, which was also accessible to the public.
Upon ascending the stairs from the first floor, the first room you encountered was the general office, which also functioned as the cash office and contained a “cash cage” where money was counted. Continuing eastward down the hallway, you reached a women’s washroom, followed by a cloak room. At the end of the hall was a spacious lounge, a popular spot among staff.
