Aaron Ross Block

Aaron Ross Block. . , The Ross Block sits on the most easterly of three lots along this stretch of Queen St. Aaron Ross was a shrewd businessman and grain merchant who moved here from Prince Albert in 1870. The original three storey building he built was destroyed in the great fire of 1884, but he rebuilt later that year. , C. H. Allison's drug store opened at this location in 1901 and he remained here until 1908. Weston's Shoes and Clothing occupied the building in 1913, and there were a variety of tenants during the next few years. , Harold Archer purchased this building in 1928 and rented it to local pharmacist Patrick G. Morrison. Mr. Archer transferred ownership of the store to his daughter Beth in 1940. , Following Mr. Morrison's death, the drug store business was taken over by Stan Bruton, who continued to rent the building. , Mr. Bruton purchased the building from Beth (Archer) Brydon in 1966, and built a 30' addition to the south of the store for storage and stock room. , James (Jim) A. Lawrence purchased Bruton's IDA drug store from Mr. Bruton in March 1974 and operated it until 1993, when he sold his business to the Big V chain of drug stores. About one year later, Big V moved its operation into a newly constructed building at the corner of John and Queen St. , Mr. Lawrence sold the former drug store building to Diane Elliott in 1995 and three years later she undertook an extensive restoration project, removing the cladding, cleaning bricks and returning the building to its original design. , Since being purchased by Diane Elliott, this attractive red and yellow brick building has been the location of a number of business tenants, including its present occupant, META4 Gallery, which opened in 2005.