When John and Isobel Garner built the Garner Hotel (in stages) they allowed for prime retail rental space at the King Street front.

This was a practice popular then and today.

This rental space, depending on the popularity and reputation of the hotel, would dictate a substantial rent paid by the tenants.

I happened to be looking at the 1904 Directory when I came across an advertisement from one of these tenants and it reads as follows: “Willard McKay’s High Grade Cafe, Confectionary and Home Bakery. Regular meals and lunches served to order. Open all night and Sundays. Full course dinners – ten meals for $1.50 – Single meal 20 cents and special rates for meals by the week. King Street entry, Garner Hotel, phone 363.”

I was intrigued with the points Mr. McKay was........

© Sarnia Observer