In the 19th century, one of Ottawa’s finest stores—Poulin—opened its doors. This store was ahead of its time, with progressive owners, high-quality products at affordable prices, top-tier customer service, fair trade practices, and innovative business advertising. Read more on ottawa1.one.
Opening of the Poulin Store
The Poulin store in Ottawa was founded in 1889 by two local residents—Louis Poulin and his wife, Mary. Poulin was a true businessman from a young age. Growing up in a small town in Ontario, he dreamed of opening his own store. He had a passion for trade and a talent for selling goods. At just 16 years old, Louis left home, boarded a train, and traveled to the capital to start his own business and build his fortune.
Lacking experience, 16-year-old Poulin found work at one of Ottawa’s largest trading firms, Russell, Gardiner & Legatt. Later, he worked at Stitt & Co.. In 1884, Louis met his future wife, Mary. More than ten years later, they finally decided to launch their own business together.
Location and Expansion of Poulin
Initially, from 1889–1890, Poulin was located in a small building on Bank Street. Later, the haberdashery moved to the corner of Sparks Street and O’Connor Street—a rapidly growing commercial hub in Ottawa.
The store occupied only 50 square meters, and Poulin rented the space for $50 per month. His available capital was also modest—just $4,000. However, these limitations did not prevent him from achieving the success he had dreamed of since childhood.
One of Poulin’s first distinguished customers was Lady Macdonald, wife of Sir John A. Macdonald.
A few years later, Poulin’s business flourished, allowing him to invest in real estate and expand his operations. In 1892, Louis acquired a factory to manufacture shirts. By 1894, the store’s profits had increased significantly, enabling Louis to invest more in real estate and further business expansion. Over the years, he purchased buildings near his store, established production facilities, and constructed extensions. By 1923, the store had grown from 50 square meters to over 60,000 square meters. The inventory in Poulin was valued at $500,000, and the store employed more than 200 workers.
In 1923, Poulin undertook a large-scale renovation of his store, demolishing the old extension and adding four new floors totaling more than 1,000 square meters. The new structure was designed to accommodate further expansion in the future.
Innovative Advertising of Poulin in the 19th and 20th Centuries
A key factor in Poulin’s success was its innovative approach to advertising. One of the most famous promotional campaigns took place in 1904. The store announced a unique sale where customers could potentially receive a refund for their purchases.
The sale date was secretly selected by the mayor of Ottawa. The mayor wrote the date on a piece of paper, sealed it in an envelope, and placed it in a bank for safekeeping. Customers who shopped at Poulin on the selected day would receive a full refund. Poulin encouraged Ottawa residents to shop at his store daily to increase their chances of getting their money back. When the sale ended, the envelope was opened, revealing that the lucky shoppers had purchased their items on August 23, 1904.
Thanks to his innovative sales techniques, exceptional service, and high-quality products, Poulin became not just one of Ottawa’s best stores but a true landmark.
Sudden Closure of a Successful Business
In 1929, Poulin held its final sales event. Unlike many businesses that faced financial difficulties, Poulin had no debt, no rent issues, and no succession concerns—Louis Poulin had four sons. However, he made the surprising decision to retire and close his successful business. The news shocked Ottawa residents and the store’s 200 employees, who suddenly lost their jobs. Despite the public’s surprise, Poulin remained firm in his decision, having achieved everything he had set out to do in life.
After closing his store, Louis Poulin retired and moved with his family to Britain, settling in a quiet village. Even after leaving Canada, he continued to engage in commercial affairs in Ottawa, serving as a director of electrical and gas companies. Poulin passed away in 1941 at the age of 85. His wife, Mary, who had been his business partner, died eight years later, in 1949.
What Happened to the Poulin Store Building?
After Poulin closed, the building was taken over by the large corporation Schulte-United. However, the onset of the Great Depression led to Schulte-United’s financial collapse within a few years.
Following Schulte-United’s bankruptcy, Walter Zellers acquired the corporation. In the 1930s, Zellers opened a store in the former Poulin building on Sparks Street. The business thrived for nearly 70 years, and by the early 21st century, there were more than 300 Zellers stores across Canada. However, as new, modern retailers emerged, Zellers struggled to remain competitive.
In 2011, the Zellers chain, including the store on Sparks Street, was leased by the American retailer Target, marking its entry into the Canadian market. Initially, Target planned to retain the Zellers brand, but eventually, all locations were converted into Target stores. However, the Target experiment was short-lived, and by 2013, all stores in the former Poulin building were closed.
In the 1980s, there were attempts to demolish the former Poulin store building. All necessary permits had been issued, but at the last moment, the historic site was preserved and later renovated.
Today, the building stands as a testament to Ottawa’s rich commercial history and the legacy of Louis Poulin, a visionary entrepreneur whose business shaped the city’s retail landscape.