General store at Willy

Previously Joseph Golinski's general store


The beginnings

Joseph Golinski, commercial fisherman arriving from La Reine in Abitibi, by the train in 1924. 

He ships his fish by rail, there is a big cooler to do this. He uses a small railway to bring the fish in a cart to the train to be subsequently sold. Almost 30 people work for him. At the same time, he is building a home for his family at 6 Pionniers Street. 

During Duplessis’s mandate in 1935, M. Golinski receive a notice from the goverment that the commercial fishing is ending in the region. He has a year before  his commercial fishing license is revoked, after 11 years of fishing. However, being a businessman, he doesn’t get discouraged. 

Purchase of Mr. Babin's hotel

He decide to buy the hotel of M. Ernest (senior) Babin, located at the 4  Rapide des Quinze street. He keeps a room for him anf his wife Mme Pauline Melofy. She takes care of the dining room and its customers.

M. Golinski also open an general store named ‘’Angliers Dry Goods Store’’. The business is annexed to the family home. He sell clothes and also dry food, like flour. For almost 20 years, M. Golinski et Mme Melofy managed their two business while raising their family.

In august 1952, M. Joseph Golinski bequeath his business to his som M. Willy (Valentin)  and his wife Mme Huguette Charbonneau. 


General Store at Willy

M. Willy Golinski and his wife Mme Huguette Charbonneau remain the owners for almost 50 years. 

We can find anything, clothes to dress the whole family, fishing gear, refrigerate food, ect. During the holiday season, the store is lit up and very festive, the toys are exposed in the basement et the children marvel at interactive toys such as the train.

M. Golinski die in 1997, its his son Joey who takes over for a few years.


Angliers souvenir clothes and mocassin for sale

You could make some great finds there.

Wolf and fishing shirt, cap bering Angliers’s image, as well as leather mocassin.

Several generation can remember his store with its magic atmosphere in the holiday season, of his 0,01$ candy many of whom put much more in their little bags than what they told to M. Golinski.


A client at Willy’s store

M. Bernadin Marcotte shopping at the general store.


Joey Golinski and Louise Hamelin

M. Joey Golinski et spouse Mme Louise Hamelin take over the general store for couple years.

In 2002, the business is definitively closing its doors after more than 50 years of loyal service. 

Text of the audio

We are in front of the old general store at Willy’s.

It all started with Joseph Golinski who decided to open a general store called Angliers Dry Goods Store, the trade is attached to the family home. He sells clothes and dry food, such as flour. For nearly 20 years, Mr. Golinski and Mrs. Melofy ran their businesses while raising their families.

In August 1952, Joseph Golinski bequeathed his business to his son, Willy and his wife, Huguette Charbonneau. They own the business for almost 50 years.

There was everything, clothes to dress the family, fishing articles, refrigerated food, etc. During the holiday period, the store is illuminated and very festive, toys are displayed in the basement store  and children marvel at interactive games such as the train.

Golinski died in 1997, his son Joey and his wife took over for a few years. In 2002, the trade closed its doors after more than 50 years of loyal service.

To date, this business is now the home of Huguette Charbonneau and her son Jacquelin Golinski.
 

Extract of
Angliers, a Landscape for History - Patrimonial Tour

Angliers, a Landscape for History - Patrimonial Tour image circuit

Presented by : Le site historique T.E. Draper
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