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Land, Indigenous peoples, settlers, and today’s communities.

Since time immemorial, Ancestors of the people called K’ómoks today consisting of the Pentlatch, Ieeksan (eye-ick-sun), Sasitla (sa-seet-la), Xa’xe (ha-hey) and Sathloot (sath-loot) people have been the caretakers of this land, which they called the “Land of Plenty.” This Land of Plenty stretched from what is known today as Kelsey Bay in the north, down to Hornby and Denman Island in the south, and included the watershed and estuary of the Puntledge River, also acknowledging that these boundaries and place names are colonial constructs.

The K’ómoks First Nation refer to the lands between the bays of Comox and the Beaufort mountain range as the path between, it was a travel and trade route to the Alberni corridor and a connection to the indigenous communities on the western side of the island.

Land agreements included the 1884 Settlement Act stripped these lands for its caretakers. At the Museum we acknowledge that we are a colonial created institution, and I would like to thank Charlene Everson, Emily Shopland and Violet Williams for guiding the museum in early discussion on what reconciliation could mean for our organization and how we could create actionable steps; in maintaining a positive dialogue with a forward focus, sharing contemporary K’omoks narratives, and incorporating First Nation languages where they felt it appropriate. Their time and guidance helped us gain insight and learn how to best support their voice in our museum’s walls. This is an ongoing process and we have so much more to learn.

Map • 6 Locations

Is That All On One Tab?

Legacies of a community's grocers and stores

Come with us for a wander down Dunsmuir Avenue as we go looking to fill our grocery and tote bags from the stores of history.

As we delve into the past, we discover the remarkable legacy of these cherished stores, unveiling a captivating story of heritage, progress, and the individuals who contributed to the town's unique identity, showcasing how their influence continues to resonate through the years.

Map Locations

2015.106.004
Photo of Gang (Yick Yee) and Annie (Lin Oi Low) Leung in Courtenay parade (2015.106.004 )

The Leung family's journey in Cumberland is a testament to resilience and determination. Born in Canton, China, Leung King, later known as Leung Yick Yee, arrived in Cumberland in 1918, initially working in the coal mines.

After a work-related injury, he turned to market gardening, cultivating a thriving garden in Chinatown and delivering fresh produce door-to-door. His reputation for quality produce helped him break down social and cultural barriers. In 1929, Leung married Annie Lin Oi Low, daughter of Cumberland Chinatown merchant Low Hock Shun, a union that blended their entrepreneurial spirits.

The Leungs acquired property at 3273 Third Street, creating a general store, originally called the Leung Gang Company, serving Cumberland and the broader Comox Valley. Son John took over the management of the Cumberland store in 1948 at age 15. In 1950 the business expanded with a second location built in downtown Courtenay, managed by son Norman. The Leung Gang Block featured a modern grocery store and restaurant. The children, Norman, Cyril, John, Joyce and May, continued the family legacy, managing various aspects of the business after the senior Leung's retirement.

The Leung family's impact on the community extended far beyond their business endeavours.

During the economic hardships of the 1950s, when Cumberland's mines were closing and logging was declining, the Leungs became a beacon of hope for the struggling community. They extended credit and unwavering support, allowing families to run tabs and survive financial crises, even when repayment seemed unlikely. Their actions fostered a spirit of unity and resilience, demonstrating the transformative power of empathy and community support.

Leung Yick Yee died in 1960 and Annie in 1992,

The Leung family's legacy is not only one of business success but also of profound community service. Norman was named Courtenay Citizen of the year in 1986 and John was named Cumberland Outstanding Citizen in 1991. 1n 2012 John was also awarded the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee medal.

The Cumberland store closed in 1997 when John retired, and the Courtenay store closed in 2008.

In 2018 signage was installed naming the alley between Second and Third Street behind the former Leung family store in Cumberland as Leung Alley.

Marocchi Brothers Cumberland
Marocchi Brothers’ Bakers and Bottling Works (983.237)

When Giovanni Marocchi broke his leg working in the Cumberland mines in 1890, he and his brother Louis reassessed their career options. They'd moved from Italy for better opportunities, but mining was too dangerous. After some thought, they decided to bake bread, delivering their products around town using a small cart. Groceries were also sold, and the business flourished. In 1902 the Marocchi Brothers were able to invest $2000.00 (the equivalent of $72,000.00 today) to expand, and obtained a wholesale liquor license. This allowed them to buy barrels of rum and rye to resell. They also partnered with the Union Brewing Company, selling beer and porter. The storefront was built in 1912.

Scale
scale, platform (982.108.011)

Alcohol sales were prohibited in 1918, shuttering bars, hotels and liquor vendors like Marocchi Brothers. B.C. government agents put a padlock on the room with all the stock. This was a genuine crisis. What was coal mining without "two and a juice" (two beers and a shot of hard liquor) at the end of the shift to wash away the dust?

Years later, Marie Bono Conti, a close friend of the family, recounted: "Well, we won't say anything about the bootlegging they used to do. I always used to say there was more than bread on our bill." "Two (quart bottles) for a quarter," said John Lewis, (son of Giovanni) confirming what she had said. The alcohol appeared on the bill disguised as bread or groceries.
John also said: ‘[R]emember old Tommy Baker? His wife, she used to like beer too, so she would order two or three bottles of beer and she used to say, “don’t mark down beer, mark down tomatoes.”’

The bakery was sold in 1938, the grocery store stayed in the family until 1974.

The missing alcohol in the padlocked room when prohibition ended? Blamed on a family member with a drinking problem.

Solving problems, Cumberland style.

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Interior of Campbell’s Store (991.048.005)

In 1901, William "Red" Campbell and Alexander "Black" Campbell embarked on a new journey to Cumberland, following in the footsteps of their siblings, Donald and Mary, who had earlier established themselves on a farm near Millard's Creek in south Courtenay. With a vision for entrepreneurship, the Campbell brothers set up a modest bakery, laying the foundation for what would become a significant business in the area.
As the brothers' business acumen grew, so did their ambitions. What began as a simple bakery soon expanded into a diverse retail establishment offering groceries, clothing, dry goods, home goods, and more. In 1910, the brothers took a significant step by purchasing the property on Dunsmuir. Their store, located on the eastern side of the Ilo Ilo Theatre, quickly became a central hub for the community's needs.

10 Cent Token From Campbell Brothers Store
token, store (980.053.001)

As the 20th century began, Vancouver Island's coal mines were rife with tension, poised for labour unrest. The situation reached a critical point on September 16, 1912, when miners collectively walked off the job for a one day “holiday” over a dispute about safety and blacklisting. The colliery retaliated by locking out the men. This marked the beginning of a two year period of labour unrest that disrupted coal mining production all over Vancouver Island. Alexander Campbell served as Cumberland's first labour mayor from 1913 to 1914.

Beyond their political involvement, the brothers demonstrated extraordinary compassion and generosity. They extended credit at their store to many struggling families, despite the risk of not being repaid. Additionally, they opened their farm to evicted families, providing a safe place to build temporary shelter and live without the worry of rent or eviction. The Campbell brothers' unwavering support cemented their legacy as pillars of the community during a period of significant upheaval.

In 1932 the Dunsmuir Avenue store burned to the ground. The building was only insured for $40.000.00 which did not cover the cost to rebuild. Campbell Brothers continued to operate at rented storefronts and sold the business in 1933.

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C.H. Tarbell in front of Tarbell’s Store (984.003.018)

Charles Henry Tarbell, originally from Vermont, began his career as a tinsmith in Victoria before moving to Cumberland in February 1895. He established a hardware store at 2705 Dunsmuir Avenue, in a building constructed by Daniel C. McDonald and purchased by Stanley Herbert Riggs in August 1895. Tarbell’s business, which started by selling stoves, tinware, and offering services like plumbing and sheet-iron work, eventually expanded to include a wide range of products such as sporting goods, furniture, appliances, and china.

The store, which underwent multiple expansions in 1922 and 1936, remained in the Tarbell family for generations. Charles’ son, George Armstrong Tarbell, opened another branch in Courtenay in 1913 and managed the Cumberland store until his death in 1960. The business, Tarbells Limited, continued under the stewardship of family members, including George’s wife Kay and his sister Mary Lenore, until it was sold in 1967.

The Tarbell family was deeply embedded in the Cumberland community, contributing not only through their business but also through civic engagement. Charles Tarbell served as a city alderman from 1905 to 1907 and was involved in various local organisations, including the Cumberland General Hospital Board, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons (AF&AM), and Woodmen of the World (WoW). Charles also played a crucial role as the foreman of the jury during the inquest into the 1898 Trent River trestle collapse.

The Tarbell store itself became a fixture in Cumberland, surviving numerous disasters, including major fires in 1901, 1922, 1932, and 1979, and an explosion in 1908. Remarkably, the building has retained many of its original architectural features from 1895, including its distinctive cornice and large display windows. The store became a symbol of resilience and continuity. After the business was sold in 1967, it remained a hardware store, operating under various owners until it closed for good in the early 1990s. The Tarbell name returned to the building’s facade in 1991, a lasting testament to the family’s enduring impact on Cumberland. This location now houses the Riding Fool Hostel and Dodge City Cycles, two contemporary local businesses with their own stories and legacies.

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Interior of The Big Store (991.048.002 )

Originally the office and drugstore of pharmacist Percy Fremlin Scharschmidt, the origins of The Big Store can be traced back to 1894, when Joseph Burnand Holmes established the JB Holmes General Store. However, it wasn't until Simon Leiser acquired the business in 1900 that it gained its iconic nickname. At the time of Simon Leiser's passing in 1917, the Big Store was one of the largest wholesale grocery businesses in all of BC!

In the following decades, 2706 Dunsmuir changed hands often. But when John Bannerman and Cliff Gardiner took ownership and opened the doors to the public again in 1953, order was restored.

John Cliff became a one-stop destination that drew customers from far and wide, including Nanaimo and Campbell River. The store was stocked with a vast array of clothing for all ages, from everyday essentials to special occasion wear, including elegant gowns, coats, and even wedding attire!

Diverse offerings also included winter boots, toys, baby items, and shower gifts, making it a vital resource for coal mining families who could find everything they needed under one roof, without having to venture beyond Cumberland's borders.

John-Cliff's was more than just a store - it was a beacon of community spirit and support. The 1950s spelled hard times for Cumberland. The mines had been intermittently closed from the 1930s onwards, and local logging had all but dried up.

The owners went above and beyond to help struggling families, providing essential items like boots and winter coats on credit, with payments made in small instalments. Locals fondly recall the store's generosity, including Christmas packages delivered to those in need, rumoured to be personally distributed by the owners.

John-Cliff's was also a hub of community activity, sponsoring sports teams, hosting fashion shows during May Day celebrations, and even bringing clothing to senior care homes, ensuring that everyone had access to the essentials, regardless of mobility.

John-Cliff's was a true community cornerstone.

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Lindy’s Discount Store (996.069.012)

Kajinosuke "Tommy" Nakanishi, was one of many Japanese Canadian entrepreneurs who lived in Cumberland. After he became a naturalized Canadian citizen in October 1911, he purchased Edward Charles Emde’s bicycle business on Third, expanding the business to offer bicycle repairs and hardware. The business was then moved into a livery stable across the street on the south side of Dunsmuir between First and Second. This building, which included the Nakanishi family residence, was destroyed by fire in 1922. After the fire, Nakanishi bought the hardware business and building of Hargreaves and Smith at the corner of Dunsmuir & First, west of the Waverley Hotel. By 1928, he wanted to expand again and purchased a lot at 2703 Dunsmuir Avenue. A new building was constructed by Neil A. McLeod and Alexander Maxwell, completed in 1931, and named Tommy's Hardware Store.

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Family of 7 with Tommy Nakanishi (987.019.073)

The building survived the big 1932 & 1933 fires. Nakanishi and his family returned to Japan sometime after the 1933 fire. The business was taken over by the Strachan Brothers in February 1934, however, Nakanishi retained ownership of the property. Returning solo to B.C. in 1936, he didn't move back to Cumberland. After the Japanese bombed Pearl Harbour in December 1941, 22,000 Japanese Canadians, including Kajinosuke, were forcibly removed from within 160 kilometres of the coast in British Columbia. Nakanishi was detained at New Denver internment camp until the end of the war.

His family was back in Japan. Nakanishi’s son, who had been born in Cumberland in 1918, was drafted into the Imperial Japanese army and spent the war repairing tanks and working as a translator because of his superior English skills.

The property at 2703 Dunsmuir was confiscated by the Secretary of State for Canada (Vested in the Custodian 26 March 1943). According to the property title it was sold in 1945 by the Federal Government under the act entitled “Regulations Respecting Trading with the Enemy 1943”, likely at considerably below market value. After the war the money from the forced sale would have been given to Mr. Nakanishi, less the cost of his detainment, which would have been deducted from the proceeds.

Not quite the lighthearted history of many of the other buildings in Cumberland, but a story worth remembering.