Maurice Pollack was born in Russia and made a ton of dough selling his wares in Quebec City and eventually became a full-time philanthropist.
Does anybody know what happened almost exactly 55 years ago at his store on Charest in downtown QC that changed the fate not just of his enterprise but of commercial architecture in general?
Yes, we have a correct answer. At about noon on Wed. Feb. 4, 1959, half of a snow-laden 300-foot sign came smashing down, killing a man and a woman and injuring 10 others.
No direct legislation came about following this dreadful accident, that I know of, and I don't know if the eventual disappearance of Pollacks was related to this event but one sees a lot fewer of these weighty signs nowadays, as lighter versions are now the norm pretty much everywhere.
I'm guessing you're refering to the collapse of the store marquee under the weight of the snow on it, killing two pedestrians ( Here's a reference from a newspaper in Charleston, South Carolina ) but I'm not sure of the effects it had...were large marquees prohibited thereafter?
ReplyDelete"The Bay" seems to be the only area in downtown Montreal with such a "marquee" - or extended roof to protect pedestrians from the elements. Many warm-climate cities make extensive use of them in their shopping areas.
ReplyDeleteSad that this story shadows the fact it was home to Quebec City's first Steinberg's supermarket opened in 1952. The "Vieille Capitale" was introduced to "Faire son Steinberg" culture...
ReplyDeleteMy Mother worked there at that time, she was very lucky because she went to lunch a little earlier.
ReplyDeleteThe store closed because it was mismanaged by the sons of the late owner.