In the heart of Vancouver's booming turn-of-the-century economy, a retail giant rose from an unlikely place—a former swamp. Defying superstition, entrepreneur Charles Woodward opened the doors to his magnificent Woodward Departmental Stores on Friday, November 13, 1903, forever changing the city's commercial landscape.
The location at the corner of Abbott and Hastings streets was a bold choice. Historical accounts, including Woodward's 1937 obituary, noted that the site had originally been a "frog pond," a swampy area that was transformed into the foundation for British Columbia's largest department store.
The Grand Opening of a Commercial Hive
While the doors first opened on the 13th, the formal opening ceremony was held just over a week later, on November 21, 1903. A story in the November 23 edition of the Vancouver Daily Province captured the spectacle, describing how "the crash of orchestral music" marked the event for large crowds who were "both surprised and delighted with the extent and magnificence of this great hive of industry."
The newspaper hailed the new establishment, emphasizing its vast scale. The original four-storey building occupied an entire 66 by 130-foot lot. With its roomy basement included, the rival Vancouver Daily News-Advertiser reported it boasted an impressive 46,000 square feet of shopping space. The store was stocked with over $225,000 worth of domestic merchandise, a colossal sum for the era, accompanied by fittings described as costing a "fabulous sum."
The Visionary Behind the Store
The mastermind behind this venture, Charles Woodward, was born on a farm near Hamilton, Ontario, on July 18, 1852. His retail journey began with a store on Manitoulin Island in Georgian Bay before he moved west in 1891. His first Vancouver store opened in 1892 at the corner of Westminster Avenue and Harris Street, known today as Main and Georgia.
After thriving and expanding despite a rough patch during the 1894 economic depression, Woodward set his sights on a grander project. In 1902, he decided to build a massive department store, but he wouldn't do it alone. He formed a powerful coalition of existing retailers.
In a September 9, 1902, interview with the Vancouver World, Woodward announced the combination, stating, "Our new store will be known as the Woodward Departmental Store, and will embrace the business of Davidson Bros., the jewellers; Buchanan & Co., crockery; R. Campbell & Son; Mr. Allan and myself. I think you will say it's a pretty strong combination." These independent stores were each given their own dedicated spaces within the grand new building.
A Lasting Legacy in Vancouver
The opening of Woodward's at Abbott and Hastings was more than just a store launch; it was a seminal moment in Vancouver's development. The store became an iconic landmark, a symbol of the city's growth and ambition. The structure itself grew along with the city, with two additional stories added in 1908 to meet increasing demand.
From its humble beginnings in a transformed frog pond to its status as B.C.'s premier shopping destination, Woodward's set a new standard for retail and became an enduring part of Vancouver's cultural and historical fabric, a testament to Charles Woodward's vision and the collaborative spirit of the city's early business community.
