589:. The new owners undertook major structural and cosmetic renovations, which resulted in much of the store being gutted. A new retail format called the "store within a store" was introduced. Ogilvy was remodelled and transformed from a department store into a series of upscale shops and boutiques operated by independent retailers and brands, but under a common store policy. In November 1986, the first of the renovations, consisting of a completely redesigned second floor, were unveiled. It took two more years for the rest of the 150,000 square feet of retail space to be fully remodelled. The completed renovations saw 85 percent of the store's space leased to some 50 retailers. In 1994,
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585:. Among other changes, Walls expressed his desire to reduce the number of store departments from 66, which ranged from antiques to television sets. Four years later, after entertaining various offers, and asking for reassurances that "every reasonable effort" would be made to retain its retail tradition, the Nesbitt family sold Jas. A. Ogilvy Limited to Equidev, a Montreal development group led by real estate entrepreneur
602:
331:. The store was rebranded to Holt Renfrew Ogilvy in 2019, and completed a significant renovation and expansion in 2020 through a collaboration between Jeffrey Hutchinson & Associates, Martin Brûlé Studio, Laplace, Gensler & Lemay; it provides for the consolidation of the existing Holt Renfrew on
447:
By 1920, Ogilvy's array of merchandise and services had expanded and its policy of remaining strictly a dry goods business had changed. Jas. A. Ogilvy
Limited now promoted itself as a department store that included amenities such as a "Hair Dressing Parlor" and a "Lunch Room." During this period, the
373:
on the northeast corner of
Mountain and Antoine. In 1884, Ogilvy relocated again, this time to the northwest corner of Mountain and St. Antoine. In 1889, James A. Ogilvy & Sons expanded its store to include house furnishings, household linens, and fine dry goods, in addition to serving as "agents
438:
The company's founder, however, did not live to see the opening of the new store. James A. Ogilvy died the year before. Press reports referred to his "straightforward" character and "generous but never ostentatious" nature and how he was a major contributor to his church, as well as local charitable
467:
As head of Ogilvy's, James Aird
Nesbitt became a leading figure in Montreal retailing. Described as "an innovator and pioneer marketeer" who spent his career "ignoring the mass-merchandising techniques of the big department stores." Nesbitt characterized himself as "more showman than storekeeper."
527:
who paraded through the store, playing for the entertainment of patrons and staff. Beginning in 1945, the bagpiper closed the store at the end of the day — at first on
Saturdays only but later on a daily basis. For the past several decades, though, the bagpiper has played at noon hour, winding his
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We feel that the more fun we get out of merchandising ourselves, the more our customers will enjoy it, and the more successful we will be. Therefore, it is our policy to both choose in Canada and to import from around the world as many delectable and exciting things as we can afford, sometimes not
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structure, again designed by David Ogilvy, and costing well over a million dollars, was formally unveiled in March 1912. Press reports noted the spaciousness of the new store and how "the accommodations are such that 1,000 people can be standing at the counters at one time and still have the aisle
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and
Mountain Street. Designed by David Ogilvy, the proprietor's architect son, the store was described as "having every device known at the present time for the convenience of the public, the comfort of employees, and the economy of time." Amenities included a ladies' sitting room, detailed in
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in 1965 and Anjou in 1968. By the 1970s, though, the store was no longer considered "the fashion leader", and was better known for its conservative clientele. Its profitability had also been on the decline. In 1976, it reported earnings of $ 81,000 on sales of more than $ 16 million.
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to create two animated holiday scenes, known as "The Mill in the Forest" and "The
Enchanted Village," made up of dozens of handcrafted mechanical toy animals, with more than a hundred moveable parts. In 2008, the displays, in a state of disrepair, were completely refurbished.
429:
For the next sixteen years, the store remained at the northeast corner of St. Catherine Street West and
Mountain Street. But with business expanding, Ogilvy bought land directly across the street and commenced construction of a new establishment in 1908. The four-storey,
510:, following its demolition, and put it on display on Ogilvy's ground floor, where it still hangs today. Nesbitt also established a policy whereby Ogilvy's would carry items that its clientele would enjoy, rather than merchandise only designed to make the most money:
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We came up to St. Catherine Street and mean business — a Dry Goods
Business — only Dry Goods. A number of people have asked us if we are going into department store work. This we have positively refused to do. Our business is dry goods.
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was first discussed in 2013. The renovation, which took place from 2017 to 2020, included a 3,700-square-metre (40,000 sq ft) expansion and brought the total space to 23,000 square metres (250,000 sq ft).
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With the 1960s, the store was one of the first to use such contemporary expressions as "go-go" and "mod" in its promotional displays. It was also one of the first "to make use of the
Chelsea look", associated with the
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Nesbitt also placed renewed emphasis on elegant interior design and chandeliers became a common store fixture. During the 1960s, he purchased the century-old, 100-light crystal
Bohemian chandelier from
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in Montreal. Ogilvy is said to have started with a single counter and one employee. He remained at the same location for the next ten years until moving his "fancy and staple dry goods" business to 199
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In fact, one of the company's mail order catalogues boasted that Ogilvy's was the "largest exclusive dry goods store in Canada", featuring "the world's best merchandise at the lowest possible price".
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space for a couple thousand more people." Advertisements promoted the new establishment as "The Daylight Store" - an apparent reference to the abundance of natural light allowed by its many windows.
288:. The store is the only one of four major west-end retailers in Montreal that still operates with its original name, and is nicknamed the "grande dame of Saint Catherine Street".
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cherrywood, and furnished with writing tables and chairs. In spite of the larger, more prestigious quarters, Ogilvy declared that his business would remain largely unchanged:
609:
In 2000, the retailer again changed hands, this time acquired by Pyxis Real Estate Equities Inc. In 2004, the store underwent another remodelling at a cost of $ 12 million.
468:
Soon after taking charge of Ogilvy's, he added a fifth floor to the building and opened Tudor Hall, a 300-seat oak-panelled music hall that featured an elaborate
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across-the-country broadcast, and Canada's first experimental television transmission, aired in 1931. Other attractions included the world's fastest aircraft, a
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hoped to quickly resell the business for a profit. Instead, he "fell in love with the place” and proceeded to manage Ogilvy's for the next 54 years.
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In 1981, after more than half a century as Ogilvy head, J. Aird Nesbitt retired. Edward Walls, a former general merchandise manager with the
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In 2010, it was bought by a Quebec-based consortium but within a year was sold again, this time to the Selfridges Group Limited, chaired by
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The intention to convert the Ogilvy building into a rebranded "Holt Renfrew Ogilvy" store and close the existing Holt Renfrew store on
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worrying too much whether the things will be a big commercial success as long as they are a pleasure to have in the store.
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This article is about the co-branded Holt Renfrew–Ogilvy location in Montreal. For the department store chain, see
507:
460:, bought the firm's entire common stock at $ 5 a share, for a total of $ 38,500, on the urging of his 19-year-old son.
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store, and was founded in 1866 by James Angus Ogilvy. The store moved into its present-day location on the corner of
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264:, Canada. It has been owned by the Selfridges Group, which itself is owned by British-Canadian businessman
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616:, a subsidiary of Wittington Investments Limited. Wittington's other holdings include upscale retailers
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In September 1896, James Ogilvy unveiled a new, larger, three storey granite premises, at the corner of
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in 1912, and was considered a full-line department store by 1920. It now houses several departments of
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868:"A series of departmental sales centring on the inauguration of our new store (advertisement)".
1167:"Holt Renfrew Ogilvy to redefine the luxury experience in Montreal (Holt Renfrew news release)"
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775:"Souvenir Numbers — the various financial and commercial interests of the City of Montreal".
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Nesbitt paid tribute to the store's Scottish heritage, and his own, with the introduction of
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store's ownership also changed hands and Jas. A. Ogilvy & Sons became an asset of the
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8:
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Marotte, Bertrand (July 7, 2010). "Montreal retail icon Ogilvy back in Quebec hands".
838:"New Ogilvy store will cost over million dollars and will be one of finest in city".
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636:
453:
332:
273:
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993:
Fitzgerald, John (September 12, 1977). "The man, like his store, is one of a kind".
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Enchin, Harvey (August 3, 1987). "Store within a store key to Ogilvy's changes".
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shopping bags and store packaging. He also initiated the tradition of a Scottish
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Jas. A. Ogilvy & Sons "spring fashions" mail order catalogue, Montreal, 1906.
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365:
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Moon, Robert (September 1966). "Nesbitt of Ogilvy's: Montrealer's taste maker".
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into the larger, 23,000-square-metre (250,000 sq ft) Ogilvy building.
955:
Auf der Maur, Nick (May 8, 1985). "Store's sale heralds new era for Ogilvy's".
569:. Ogilvy expanded into suburban Montreal with the opening of branch stores at
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Palik, Betty (November 1989). "Ogilvy – an innovative retail concept".
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386:"The Ogilvy Store," St. Catherine and Mountain streets, Montreal, 1906.
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Nesbitt was also responsible for the annual tradition of the store's
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853:"Announcing the formal opening of our new store (advertisement)".
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Bryan, Jay (May 30, 1981). "New Ogilvy boss old Eaton hand".
723:"Retail Meets Hospitality at Montreal's Iconic Maison Ogilvy"
364:, opened a wholesale and retail dry goods store at 91 and 93
320:
1145:"Holt Renfrew Montreal and Ogilvy merger scheduled for 2020"
452:. In 1927, following the bank's failure, investment dealer
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Grand opening of the new Jas. A. Ogilvy & Sons store,
1123:"Weston adds Ogilvy to upscale department store holdings"
797:"Montreal's fashion mile: St Catherine Street, 1890–1930"
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In 1866, James Angus Ogilvy, a recent immigrant from
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472:. The venue hosted public concerts and shows, from
23:. For the defunct department store in Ottawa, see
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701:"Ogilvy, the grande dame of rue Sainte-Catherine"
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565:as it offered up the fashion of British designer
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825:Ogilvy's Spring Fashions (mail order catalogue)
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374:for the celebrated Rob Roy Linen Fire Hose."
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16:Department store in Montreal, Quebec, Canada
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671:"Selfridges to buy Ogilvy department store"
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1028:"Ogilvy's 'living tradition' bids adieu".
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1244:Romanesque Revival architecture in Canada
1043:"Ogilvy's peek at the Christmas season".
988:
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827:. Montreal: Jas. Ogilvy & Sons. 1906.
790:
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556:Ogilvy entrance on Saint Catherine Street
528:way through all the floors of the store.
480:, early radio shows, including the first
803:. Toronto: University of Toronto Press.
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1239:Commercial buildings completed in 1908
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1203:Ogilvy website archive (April 7, 2019)
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1143:Braun, Jennifer (November 20, 2017).
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352:Display of a window at Ogilvy in 1941
1249:Department store buildings in Canada
1234:Retail companies established in 1866
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272:and the European department stores
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1121:Marotte, Bernard (July 29, 2011).
669:Marotte, Bertrand (29 July 2011).
650:List of Canadian department stores
535:display. In 1947, he commissioned
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933:"Love affair lasted 54 years".
801:Fashion: A Canadian perspective
591:Standard Life Assurance Company
508:Her Majesty's Theatre, Montreal
83:Ogilvy department store in 2014
762:Montreal Directory for 1877-78
754:
715:
662:
597:Operations during 21st century
408:Operations during 20th century
378:Move to Saint Catherine Street
339:Operations during 19th century
1:
1259:1908 establishments in Quebec
799:. In Alexandra Palmer (ed.).
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439:and community organizations.
1013:"The Brigadier's boutique".
884:"Obituary - James A. Ogilvy"
547:
458:Nesbitt, Thomson and Company
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132:; 158 years ago
7:
1229:Companies based in Montreal
1219:Department stores of Canada
1196:Holt Renfrew Ogilvy website
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605:Ogilvy logo used until 2019
482:Montreal Symphony Orchestra
343:
297:Saint Catherine Street West
250:Saint Catherine Street West
10:
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18:
904:. John Lovell. 1921–1922.
795:Elizabeth Sifton (2005).
764:. John Lovell. June 1878.
750:. John Lovell. June 1866.
392:St. Catherine Street West
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628:of the Netherlands, and
1015:Time (Canadian Edition)
620:in the United Kingdom,
583:chief executive officer
291:Ogilvy originated as a
48:45.497833°N 73.575306°W
637:Sherbrooke Street West
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571:Fairview Pointe Claire
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333:Sherbrooke Street West
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158:Saint Catherine Street
1224:Landmarks in Montreal
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229:, formerly and still
53:45.497833; -73.575306
1047:. November 19, 2011.
624:in Dublin, Ireland,
413:Move to new building
305:store-within-a-store
1172:. November 15, 2017
1095:. October 30, 2004.
1091:"Hot Shop Ogilvy".
920:Southam Publication
870:Montreal Daily Star
855:Montreal Daily Star
842:. December 4, 1909.
840:Montreal Daily Star
777:Montreal Daily Star
476:to performing baby
450:Home Bank of Canada
423:Montreal Daily Star
227:Holt Renfrew Ogilvy
218:Holt Renfrew Ogilvy
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63:Holt Renfrew Ogilvy
44: /
1093:The Globe and Mail
1060:The Globe and Mail
902:Montreal Directory
748:Montreal Directory
703:. mixtemagazine.ca
676:The Globe and Mail
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486:Vickers-Armstrongs
432:Romanesque Revival
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371:St. Antoine Street
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301:Rue de la Montagne
148:James Angus Ogilvy
92:Ogilvy (1866–2019)
62:
1254:Downtown Montreal
1147:. Fashion Network
1045:Gazette, Montreal
888:Montreal Standard
872:. March 28, 1912.
857:. March 27, 1912.
581:, became the new
454:Arthur J. Nesbitt
311:brands including
244:), is a Canadian
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1032:. July 31, 1974.
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1017:. 16 April 1965.
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890:. May 6, 1911.
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1174:. Retrieved
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747:
742:
731:. Retrieved
729:. 2021-07-14
726:
717:
705:. Retrieved
680:. Retrieved
674:
664:
634:
630:Holt Renfrew
626:de Bijenkorf
622:Brown Thomas
611:
608:
576:
559:
530:
518:
513:
504:
466:
446:
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428:
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309:luxury goods
307:designs for
290:
282:de Bijenkorf
278:Brown Thomas
270:Holt Renfrew
266:Galen Weston
233:
231:colloquially
226:
225:
153:Headquarters
97:Company type
39:73°34′31.1″W
36:45°29′52.2″N
29:
21:Holt Renfrew
632:in Canada.
489:Supermarine
248:located on
182:accessories
51: /
1213:Categories
1128:January 7,
733:2022-08-30
656:References
618:Selfridges
567:Mary Quant
470:pipe organ
358:Kirriemuir
286:Selfridges
188:fragrances
1176:March 15,
707:7 January
563:miniskirt
548:1950–1999
539:toymaker
478:elephants
443:1920–1949
293:dry goods
191:jewellery
644:See also
525:bagpiper
362:Scotland
344:Founding
313:Burberry
258:Montreal
185:footwear
179:Clothing
173:Products
168:, Canada
162:Montreal
107:Industry
89:Formerly
25:Ogilvy's
1151:May 25,
779:. 1890.
682:29 July
492:biplane
274:Arnotts
252:in the
213:Website
145:Founder
135: (
127:Founded
101:Private
807:
541:Steiff
537:German
521:tartan
327:, and
317:Hermes
284:, and
262:Quebec
238:French
234:Ogilvy
166:Quebec
160:West,
111:Retail
1170:(PDF)
456:, of
321:Prada
202:Owner
156:1307
117:Genre
1178:2019
1153:2020
1130:2013
805:ISBN
709:2013
684:2011
329:Dior
299:and
137:1866
130:1866
256:of
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