History of The Gem
The Gem Theatre
The Gem Theatre - c.1911 -
Movie Posters:
"Fate" 1911 - Phillips Smalley & Lois Weber
"Husbands Wanted" 1911 - Marian Swayne "A Rip Roaring Comedy".
Gaumont Graphis - News Reels -
Photo: Paris Museum 2016.0009.500.49
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The Gem Theatre in a WW1 Parade - c.1916 - Paris -
Photo: Paris Museum
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The Gem is the "Lost Theatre" of Paris, Ontario. It was built right after the "Great Fire" of 1900. It was the first true Movie Theatre in Paris, showing silent films and news reels. It had its own state of the art, off-grid, coal gas power generator. To supply its power/carbon-arc projector/marquee lighting needs. It would have been a sensation!
There are stories passed down of the theatre. One was that during a spring flood of the Grand River, right in the middle of a film, part of the back wall of the building was sucked into the river. Taking the theatre screen with it!
Now, there hasn't been any physical evidence to support this event just yet, but who doesn't love a good story like that?
The theatre vanished in late 1917, being bought out/closed by the new, larger, rival, Allen Theatre, later The Capitol, around the corner on Mechanic Street (The Capitol Theatre & The Royal Hotel, that it was a part of, were demolished in 2018).
There are stories passed down of the theatre. One was that during a spring flood of the Grand River, right in the middle of a film, part of the back wall of the building was sucked into the river. Taking the theatre screen with it!
Now, there hasn't been any physical evidence to support this event just yet, but who doesn't love a good story like that?
The theatre vanished in late 1917, being bought out/closed by the new, larger, rival, Allen Theatre, later The Capitol, around the corner on Mechanic Street (The Capitol Theatre & The Royal Hotel, that it was a part of, were demolished in 2018).
WW1 Parade in Downtown Paris
Photo: The Paris Museum
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The Gem Theatre - Taken from a Paris Star Newspaper article - c.1970 - Paris Museum
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The Atlantic & Pacific Era
The Great Atlantic & Pacific Tea Co. - Sept 1955
Photo: Bren Sweet
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Downtown Paris - Sept 1955
Photo: Bren Sweet
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In 1918 the building had a new owner and a new front facade renovation, becoming The Great Atlantic & Pacific Tea Co. It was more commonly known as the A&P Grocery in later years. The interior was almost completely kept from The Gem theatre. The tin ceiling was kept and extended some 10', with the removal of the box office, to meet the new display windows & entrance. New (for 1918) hanging commercial lights were also installed. It went from the 8 interior lights of The Gem to the store rows of 15 & 7 window display pendants, as well as a full maple floor & gravity furnace heating system.
All of the "ghosts" of cash counters/dry-goods shelves/produce coolers still remain on the floor, along with the worn paths of hundreds of customers.
The A&P went through a "modernization" renovation in 1968. In response to the new competition of the IGA Grocery right across the road (Rexall pharmacy currently). This renovation wiped the 1918 facade and replaced it with a plywood & aluminum façade, changing from the old Atlantic & Pacific to A&P Food Stores. Flat facades were all the rage in the 1950's & 60's. A new entrance way went in and all fluorescent light fixtures were installed as well in the interior. The aluminum framed windows still remain from this period, currently.
The A&P Grocery closed around 1973.
All of the "ghosts" of cash counters/dry-goods shelves/produce coolers still remain on the floor, along with the worn paths of hundreds of customers.
The A&P went through a "modernization" renovation in 1968. In response to the new competition of the IGA Grocery right across the road (Rexall pharmacy currently). This renovation wiped the 1918 facade and replaced it with a plywood & aluminum façade, changing from the old Atlantic & Pacific to A&P Food Stores. Flat facades were all the rage in the 1950's & 60's. A new entrance way went in and all fluorescent light fixtures were installed as well in the interior. The aluminum framed windows still remain from this period, currently.
The A&P Grocery closed around 1973.
Atlantic & Pacific on the Left with awning - Military Gathering Downtown Paris - c.1947 - Photo: Paris Museum
A&P Food Stores Paris c.1969 - Photo: Gord Labron (former A&P Staff)
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Gord Labron at A&P Food Stores Paris c.1969 - Photo: Gord Labron (former A&P Staff)
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1975 Onward
Remembrance Day Parade Downtown Paris - c.1978 - Photo: Wayne Morrison Photography
By 1975, the Gem building had become Paris Sporting Goods. Later to be renamed Ayre's Sporting Goods
During the 1980's & 90's it was The Homespun Shop. A women's and children's clothing store.
The 2000's changed again, into The General Store. A bulk foods centre.
The commercial section of the building was empty from around 2012 to 2018, when Drew Skuce started restoration work began extensively. Reopening as The Gem Marketplace in November of 2019.
During the 1980's & 90's it was The Homespun Shop. A women's and children's clothing store.
The 2000's changed again, into The General Store. A bulk foods centre.
The commercial section of the building was empty from around 2012 to 2018, when Drew Skuce started restoration work began extensively. Reopening as The Gem Marketplace in November of 2019.
Christmas 2024. The Gem Marketplace (Drew Skuce) beside Green Heron Books (Roy Skuce). Father and Son businesses side-by-side in Downtown Paris - Photo: Drew Skuce
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