Commissary
Having a store on campus seems natural, as if it has always been here. But it actually developed slowly over many years. It began as a small idea: a “Tuck Shop.”
Apparently, the first Tuck Shop arose from a question posed at a Debating Club meeting in 1926, and the work of their teacher, Mr. Stanton, “who made the scheme an actuality.” Traditionally, a tuck shop sells candy and other snacks, of which the Headmaster strongly disapproved. Therefore, while Lonsdale may have softened his views by 1926, we imagine that Mr. Stanton may have drawn upon his debating skills to obtain permission to open the shop.
Apparently, the first Tuck Shop arose from a question posed at a Debating Club meeting in 1926, and the work of their teacher, Mr. Stanton, “who made the scheme an actuality.” Traditionally, a tuck shop sells candy and other snacks, of which the Headmaster strongly disapproved. Therefore, while Lonsdale may have softened his views by 1926, we imagine that Mr. Stanton may have drawn upon his debating skills to obtain permission to open the shop.
The next reference to a tuck shop is in the 1931 SLS Magazine: “An innovation during the summer term was the opening of a Tuck Shop during the School Cricket matches.” The operation of the shop may have been intermittent due to shortages during the 1930s and WWII, for we don’t find mention of it again until 1958, when the Groves’ House boys created one and dubbed it the “Ritz.”
In the 1962-63 school year, Mr. Don Ferguson, the Bursar, and a committee of senior boys took over the operation of the Ritz. Selling candy, snacks, and juice, they turned a profit, thereby funding School improvements in areas such as the Library and Photo Lab. The operators expressed their hope that, in time, the Ritz would expand to include tables and chairs, and a commissary for school supplies.
Both of these wishes were granted in the 1970s, when a Commissary was created, selling school supplies and uniforms, and the Ritz added tables and comfortable seating. Each operated at opposite ends of the lower floor of the Main Building’s west wing.
After the new dining room, Marion Hall, opened in 2002, the Ritz moved into the original dining room space, which was transformed into a large gathering place, complete with table booths, brightly painted walls with murals, and even a pool table. The Commissary moved into the former kitchen (adjacent to the Ritz) and took over the sale of snacks and treats.
Major renovations in the Main Building created a beautiful new home for the Ritz in a wing at the northeast corner of the Main Building. Opening in 2014, it was made possible by the generosity of Garth Friesen ’87 (Ripley’s). This is a bright space with big windows and student art adorning the walls. The Friesen Centre has become a gathering place for the whole School community, and includes comfortable seating and tables, a coffee bar called “Duke’s,” and, naturally, the Commissary.
The information presented in this write-up is based on current information available in the School's Archives and consultation with key people who have some relevant connection to this "object." If you have further information about this "object" that you would like to contribute, please contact the School’s Advancement Office at alumni@shawnigan.ca.
In the 1962-63 school year, Mr. Don Ferguson, the Bursar, and a committee of senior boys took over the operation of the Ritz. Selling candy, snacks, and juice, they turned a profit, thereby funding School improvements in areas such as the Library and Photo Lab. The operators expressed their hope that, in time, the Ritz would expand to include tables and chairs, and a commissary for school supplies.
Both of these wishes were granted in the 1970s, when a Commissary was created, selling school supplies and uniforms, and the Ritz added tables and comfortable seating. Each operated at opposite ends of the lower floor of the Main Building’s west wing.
After the new dining room, Marion Hall, opened in 2002, the Ritz moved into the original dining room space, which was transformed into a large gathering place, complete with table booths, brightly painted walls with murals, and even a pool table. The Commissary moved into the former kitchen (adjacent to the Ritz) and took over the sale of snacks and treats.
Major renovations in the Main Building created a beautiful new home for the Ritz in a wing at the northeast corner of the Main Building. Opening in 2014, it was made possible by the generosity of Garth Friesen ’87 (Ripley’s). This is a bright space with big windows and student art adorning the walls. The Friesen Centre has become a gathering place for the whole School community, and includes comfortable seating and tables, a coffee bar called “Duke’s,” and, naturally, the Commissary.
The information presented in this write-up is based on current information available in the School's Archives and consultation with key people who have some relevant connection to this "object." If you have further information about this "object" that you would like to contribute, please contact the School’s Advancement Office at alumni@shawnigan.ca.
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