Comfort, kindness, acceptance and grandpa’s store
My grandfather, Ben W. Kert, had a women’s dress shop along Queen Street in Sault Ste. Marie where a number of Jewish men, many of them “Greenies” from the old […]
My grandfather, Ben W. Kert, operated a women's dress shop on Queen Street in Sault Ste. Marie. The shop catered to Jewish men, many of whom were "Greenies" from the old country. Ben hailed from Trois-Rivières and earned the nickname Sonny after his arrival. He had a wife, Harry, and was known for his kindness and eccentricity. Ben's store was a sanctuary for the narrator, who was one of three brothers and found solace there on Saturdays.
The store was well-stocked with women's clothing, taxidermy specimens, and a cash register adorned with silver fittings. Two French-Canadian women, Louella and Rae, assisted Ben in running the store, providing warmth and humor. They became instrumental in helping the narrator find clothes that fit, particularly during her teenage years when she struggled with her size.
The narrator cherished the time she spent at her grandfather's store, feeling accepted and beautiful in the midst of a challenging world.
Written by urgent.news from Winnipeg Free Press's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
