Collectivité

Robinson-MacBean Ltd

1883-1931

The T. W. Robinson Company was established in 1883 by Titus W. Robinson. The business was a department store located at 28-30 Main Street (116 Main St. North), Moose Jaw. In 1912, the store’s name changed to Robinson-MacBean Ltd. W. F. MacBean was the company’s secretary and treasurer. He later became the managing director of the store after T. W. Robinson’s death on October 2, 1913 in Toronto. The original store was two storeys with a basement. From 1912-1914, a new building was constructed for the department store. Three storeys were added to the existing building. When that was completed, the two lower levels were removed and built again to correspond with the three upper floors. No disruption to service occurred during the construction of the new building. The new structure had five storeys and a basement – it was at one time the tallest building on Main Street. The store had various departments, including: dry goods, men’s wear, ladies’ wear, shoes, house furnishings, and china and glassware.
The Robinson-MacBean department store made news in 1923 when four night constables were arrested for breaking and entering and theft. The constables had in their possession ‘Niagara Maid silk bloomers’ that were only sold at Robinson-MacBean’s store. In 1928, the store was renamed to MacBean’s Ltd and remained at 116 Main St. North until 1931. The building was vacant for a few years before the Army and Navy Department Store moved into the building.