Christopher Ryan: Painting the Western High Street (a short history of the Thyme and Again building)

_ A weekly feature by Christopher Ryan , a local photographer, blogger and researcher. It appears every Friday on our blog. _

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  ](http://ottawastart.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/01.-2014-02-08.jpg)

    Thyme & Again, 1255 Wellington St. W. February 2014.
   
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 Although it is now the highly popular Thyme & Again, this handsome and well-maintained commercial edifice at the corner of Wellington West and Huron (1255 Wellington West), began life as a the S & S Higman painters and hardware store. The “S & S” stood for Sidney and Stanley, sons of local painter George Higman.

   ](http://ottawastart.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/02.-1922-11-09-First-Advertisement-Page-2.jpg)

     Sidney and Stanley launched their business in the fall of 1922. Source: Ottawa Journal, November 9, 1922
    
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 S & S Higman remained in operation between 1922 and 1978. Although Sidney passed away in 1964 and Stanley in 1966, the business carried on, joining the Dominion Hardware chain in 1968. Following the closing of the business a decade later, the space was taken over by Trendy’s Emporium.

   ](http://ottawastart.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/03.-1968-12-10-Higman-Dominion-Hardware-Chain-Page-17.jpg)

     S & S Higman joined the Dominion Hardware chain in 1968 two years following the death of Stanley Higman. Dominion Hardware went inactive in 1982. Source: Ottawa Journal, December 10, 1968.
    
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 Apart from their success in hardware retailing, Sidney and Stanley were highly successful in their provision of painting services. Notable projects were the Coliseum at Lansdowne, the Metropolitan Life (Wellington) Building, and the Lord Elgin Hotel. If you look carefully, you can see the

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   ghost sign advertising their painting services on the west side of the building
  
 
](http://www.flickr.com/photos/trailerparkboy/5796768370/)

 today.







  







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   ](http://ottawastart.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/04.-1947-11-01-Higman-25th-Anniversary-Reduced-Page-10.jpg)

     S & S Higman had plenty to celebrate on its 25th anniversary. Source: Ottawa Journal, November 1, 1947.
    
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   ](http://ottawastart.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/BgrmKJwIIAE5lPY.jpg)

_ – Original photos & text by Christopher Ryan.

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** ** See also: ** Ottawa History Guide

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