James D. Tait Co. Limited - Ontario St. moved to St. Paul & William
Mrs. W. D. Woodruff went on shopping trips from January through April of 1887. The supplies that she needed included: a seal collar, sheeting, fabrics, buttons, towels, curtains, ribbon, a coffee machine, blankets, spools, gloves, a handkerchief, suits, underwear, a seal jacket, two gowns, pins, a pillow, and quilts. James D. Tait and Co. offered a wide variety of merchandise. Welland Woodruff was listed as a corporate member of the J.D. Tait Company.
James D. Tait (1836-1907) came to Canada in 1855 from Scotland. He worked in the dry goods business and established the James D. Tait Company in 1864. The business was first located on Ontario street as we can see in Mrs. Woodruff's receipt. At this time, The James D. Tait Company specialized in furs. The business expanded to include dry goods and dressmaking. The building was destroyed by fire, so Tait established and expanded the business into the Prendergast building on the corner of St. Paul and William Streets. This building was originally owned by William Hamilton Merritt, hence the name Prendergast. This was his wife's family name. Most of the block was taken up by the James D. Tait Company. The store had an excellent reputation. Mr. Tait died in 1907 while vacationing in Muskoka.
If you were looking for the latest in French fashion, Tait's was certainly the shop for you. Hats, furs and mourning attire were some of their specialties. They would even send fabric samples upon request.
