Henry Couse purchased the store located on 14 Queen Street in 1900 for $895. The previous owner, a Mr. Stewart, was a prominent shopkeeper, grain buyer, and coal dealer. Mr. Stewart also ran an apiary business in the back of the lot, which Henry continued to operate until his own retirement. The store itself carried grains, seeds, flour, animal feed, groceries, fruit, and other provisions like coal and oil lamps. It also featured a small ice cream parlour. The Couse family lived in the apartment above the store. The alley beside the store ran past the apiary and led to the skating and curling rink located on Wellington Street. This photo shows a number of bee houses in roughly three rows. A picket fence sides the houses on the right, and a driveway to the left leads to a parked 1930s style car and small garage.
