Branching Out

H. E. Brown Supply Auto Parts and Machine Shop, c.1990. The building was designed and constructed by Herb Brown.

Photo Courtesy of Ontario Jewish Archives, Blankenstein Family Heritage Centre, accession 2007-8-9.

Along with clothing stores, Jewish settlers also operated other specialized local businesses. H. E. Brown opened H.E. Brown Supply Auto Parts and Machine Shop in 1947. Marvin Hockman, another local retailer, opened North Bay Auto Supply in 1932. After the Second World War, Hockman invested in real estate, began Hockman’s Furniture and built the Voyager Hotel. The post-war period was vibrant with renewed optimism in North Bay and the Jewish community, as men and women returned home from overseas.

Roy Thomson (Lord Thomson of Fleet) who owned the local radio station, sent a yearly gift calendar at Christmas to all his advertisers. His calendar featured scenes from Israel and Jewish holidays.