Planners at the Town of Halton Hills are exploring the possibility of bestowing heritage designation on 99 and 103 Main St. S. in downtown Georgetown.
Known to local historians and Town staff as the Wright Block – named after a figure from Georgetown’s history – it currently houses The BriSkit and Heather’s Bakery.
The Heritage Halton Hills Committee recently supported designating the property, but no date has yet been established for when the matter will go before council. The Town is hoping to consult with the owners of the businesses first.
The history of the building dates back to 1848 when its namesake, Henry Wright, acquired the land. However, construction did not begin until the following decade. Once completed, he moved his dry goods shop into the new building in 1859.
It fast became a landmark at a time when Georgetown itself was still young. After Wright died in a tree-felling accident, the neighbouring Mammoth House clothing store occupied his dry goods shop.
Over the years 99 Main St. S. has been home to a combination funeral parlour and furniture shop, a lingerie store, plant shop and a dollar store, among others. Before The BriSkit moved in, The Berwick occupied the space, and Latitudes restaurant before that.
The southern part of the building, 103 Main St. S., once had a bake shop with brick ovens, a furniture store and a millinery (on the second floor). The Georgetown Herald Newspaper operated out of the space until 1980 when it was taken over by Rameses Printing and Publishing.
A new bakery set up shop in 1993 with the arrival of Cakes of Elegance, the predecessor of Heather’s Bakery.
An evaluation report for the building points to characteristics that make it an example of "commercial buildings constructed along many main streets throughout Ontario during this time.”
Namely, but not limited to, its “red brick exterior, vertical second-storey windows with articulated lintels and sills, and recessed entry doors.”
Its ties to Henry Wright also give it further significance alongside its built form, which harmonizes well with the historic downtown of Georgetown.
The Town’s research and evaluation report has more details about the Wright Block and its history.