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At the close of the Second World War, it was
transformed again to accommodate a dance club on
the second floor, which was known for attracting
some big names, including Canadian jazz pianist
Oscar Peterson. The headlining acts would typically
play in the evening and continue jamming with local
bands into the early morning hours.
A sewing factory, café, candy factory, bowling alley,
barber shop, pool hall, taxi company, furniture store,
clothing store and various other businesses rented
space over the subsequent decades, only to fall into
disrepair in recent years.

Top: Angie and James Chambers, owners of Chez Angela
bakery, work in their temporary kitchen at the Global
This space is what we’ve Market Community Kitchen on Rosser Avenue.

been building toward.
The majority of these businesses already follow a
common theme – the historic building is well-poised
That was, until the Sneath couple took it over and to serve as a wedding preparation destination.
initiated its renewal earlier this year. Chez Angela is a brand new bakery, whose owners,
Although it remains at a point of mid-renovation, its James and Angie Chambers, had been dreaming of
new interior is already taking shape, with drywall and opening the business for more than 20 years, back
structural supports put in place and a collection of when they were students at Neelin High School.
new, large windows waiting to be installed facing west When they saw the building come available, James
onto 10th Street. said that they knew they’d finally found a match for
Several tenants have been lined up, including Chez their longstanding ambition.
Angela, Muse Bridal, Rheanon Neale Photography, “This space is what we’ve been building toward,” he
Studio78, and Charleston & Harlow Candle Co. – said. The sense of community its owners are aspiring
artisan candle makers that will be situated next to toward is something that both he and Angie share.
Chez Angela on the main floor. Two other businesses In the build-up to their grand opening, currently
related to “beauty services” have been lined up, but scheduled to take place some time in February,
they’re not ready to reveal their names quite yet. they’ve been building up interest by selling baked

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