A small piece of Simpson Street history was turned into rubble Saturday morning.
More than 50 years ago Mr. and Mrs. Decicco immigrated to Canada from Italy. The couple settled in Thunder Bay, where they eventually opened the Famous Shoe Shop in 1965.
Throughout the years many customers came and went with refurbished and polished shoes and boots until December 2015 when Mr. Decicco passed away.
The Decicco family had no other choice than to close the doors for the last time in January.
“We felt that it was important to recognize this build as it has been a part of Simpson Street’s diverse history for so many years,” said NorWest Community Health Centre chief exective officer Wendy Talbot during a phone interview.
The health centre purchased the property through an Ontario Trillium Foundation Grant in May. With the ongoing expansions the centre wanted to include this property in their plans.
The demolition of the shop took place Saturday, as people stood as close as safely possible to watch the demolition of an iconic building.
“In honour of the history of the building the property will be developed into a greenspace for staff and clients of the health centre,” Talbot said.
She added that to commemorate the shop, there will be a ceremony to designate the green space as the Shoe Makers Garden for its memory to live on forever.
