HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 1995-07-26, Page 10Kitchen Hours
Lunch 113' -
Supper 5 - 8 p.m.
Sandwiches & Desserts
served throughout the day
The Blyth Inn caters too!
Queen St. N.,
Blyth
(519) 523-9381 LLBO
The
Blyth Irm
Daily Specials
1. Thursday Nite Is
Wing Nite
Wings 400 each
Minimum order of 10
A variety of sauces availably
5 p.m. - midnight
Eat in or Take Out
Thurs, Fri., Sat. Nites
Pizza Pizza Pizza
Live
Entertainment
Every Friday & Saturday evening
throughout the summer.
This weekend enjoy the country
Western Music of
Tumbleweed North
with Hugh Elder
Blyth Inn houses a century of history
Blyth Inn has a long and infamous history which dates back to the
temperance movement of the late 1880s.
Since its beginnings, the Commercial has had several owners
including Mr. Milne, John McCaughey, Frank McCaughey, John
Emigy, E. Johnston, William Johnston, Harry Johnston, Grover Clare
Sr., A J. Glass, Kenneth Poole in 1944, Mr. Caves, Grover Clare Jr.,
Norman Hamilton in 1952, Mr. Daley, Mr. A. Wild, Adrianus Schip-
per, Ann and Harry Kowlachuk, Harold Ferguson and Peter and
Carol Irwin in 1983.
As the Temperance Act came into effect on May 1, 1884, the
reporter of the day awoke on May 2 to find the main street of Blyth
lined with bottles which apparently contained rye and port.
The villagers were lamenting the passing of their love, he said.
In that year, there were five hotels in town, all selling liquor with or
without a license.
In 1886, Blyth established four hotels and one liquor shop. Among
them was the Commercial Hotel, which is now the Blyth Inn.
Though the sale of liquor continued through the turn of the century,
Blyth did not officially become a "wet" town again until 1964.
In 1962, Daley purchased the hotel from Clare Sr. and began reno-
vations on the building which had sat empty for two years.
It had been closed because residents had voted down a request by
Clare for beer and liquor privileges.
In September 1964, spirits could again be sold legally in the village
after the Temperance Act of 1946 was repealed.
With the opening of the hotel, a new cement structure, which had
been constructed at the rear of the building, replacing a frame struc-
ture, now housed the men's and ladies' beverage room.
In those early years, the Commercial also contained a small gro-
cery store and ice cream parlour.
The hotel building went through dramatic changes after the Irwin
purchased the property.
The first, and most visible to the public was the remodeling of the
front entrance and the change from the old whitewash to the blue
exterior seen today.
Soon, the interior underwent renovations to create a more open,
brighter look.
The dividing walls between the old Hub bar and the main area was
eliminated, windows were added to the back and side of the structure,
halls were opened up and the dining room was moved.
In the area which is now the non-smoking section, the Hub once
stood, followed by a coffee shop, in 1990, before the Irwin added it
to the main room.
In 1992, the dining room was moved from the front area of the
building to its present day site.
This change allowed two stores, Carol's Candies and Dressing
Room Only, to be added.
Another improvement which came early in the proprietorship of the
Irwin was the removal of the old balcony and construction of a new
one.
The Blyth Inn has changed many time over the past century as it fol-
lows the changing times and trends of the community.
Radford Group, one of Blyth's largest employers
The history of the Radford Group has been some years in the
making.
George Radford was a mere 15 years old when he purchased his
first truck, which came equipped with no battery, no lights, no starter
and few brakes.
His career began
when he drew
gravel for Hullett
Twp., then he
moved to Blyth in
1937 because the
concrete paving of
Hwy. 4 had moved
north.
In 1939, he
purchased his first
new truck, a
Fargo, then in
1940, using
Doherty Bros.
Garage, he built
his first crusher, all
oxygen and
acetylene welding
and hacksaw
cutting.
He purchased the present building, a former livery stable, located at
the corner of King and Queen Streets, in 1941. The following year
he added his first Dragline and Bulldozer to his expanding business.
In 1943, a 30 ft extension was added to the rear of the building and
the top storey was removed. Also, a 60 ft. truss was installed to
accommodate chain hoists to lift equipment.
In 1947 the shop got some repairs following a fire. Shortly
thereafter an office addition was added to the south side. Ten years
later a 3,600 square foot addition was put up on the west end of the
building for an additional repair area and in 1974 a two-storey parts
department, lunch room and additional office facilities were added.
The business continued to
grow, with all lines of
heavy construction being
incorporated as a limited
company in 1960.
In the years since,
Radfords has continued to
remain progressive and
expand its services to meet
the needs of its clients. In
March of 1985, the auto
parts store was opened in
Blyth, while in June of the
following year, a partner
store was opened in the
neighbouring community
of Brussels. In July of 1991
a gas bar, located on the
adjacent corner, was
incorporated into the
business.
Today the company is one
of the largest employers in the village with 50 people on staff. They
are proud of their commitment to on-going training programs for
staff and customer seminars done in conjunction with their company
suppliers. Some courses recently completed are an air brake clinic,
done in conjunction with Midland Grau, a seal clinic, done with
Semco Canada and a shock and strut seminar, conducted by Monroe
Auto Equipment Co.
Receiving certificates for completion of an air brake clinic from Dave M3Lellan are Robert Higgins, Darryl Ward, Paul Ryan.
PAGE 10. THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY, JULY 26, 1995.