MONTREAL H. Fisher & Fils, a long-standing institution in Montreal's garment industry, operated for 100 years from its storefront on St-Laurent Boulevard in the Plateau neighbourhood. The store, renowned for offering buttons, bolts of cloth, and sewing supplies, remained a constant even as the area underwent significant transformation and other garment businesses departed.
Esther Fisher, the widow of the original owner's son, continued to run the store until its closure in 2022. In a recent development, the store reopened earlier this month as a pop-up museum exhibit and heritage space, honoring the rich history of Montreal's garment industry, particularly its contributions to the Jewish community. The exhibit remains largely unchanged from its operational days, reflecting the store's history and legacy.
Taryn Fleischmann, cultural programming and exhibitions co-ordinator for the Museum of Jewish Montreal, expressed the importance of the space, noting, "There’s been so much change in this neighbourhood and you can’t necessarily feel that anymore, and this is a really tactile and physical way to understand what once was." She emphasized that the exhibit offers a unique opportunity to accessible comprehend historical context that could easily be lost.
When H. Fisher & Fils opened its doors in 1922, it was among many garment businesses along St-Laurent Boulevard, known locally as the Main. These businesses were predominantly owned and staffed by Jewish immigrants from Eastern Europe who shaped the local economy. Originally located a few blocks away, the store relocated to its current modest space, where the Fisher family lived in an apartment above. The shop primarily served as a notions supply store, providing materials to a variety of clients, including Cirque du Soleil, opera productions, suit-makers, and fashion schools.
Visitors to the museum are greeted by towering rolls of cloth, and shelves filled with zippers, snaps, and other sewing supplies. A prominent feature of the exhibit includes a screen featuring a brief interview with Esther Fisher, filmed when she was in her 90s. In this clip, she candidly shared her experience of taking over the store following her husband’s death, despite having minimal formal work experience apart from caring for her children.
After Esther's passing shortly after the store’s closure, her presence remains deeply felt throughout the exhibit. Her handwriting, along with that of her husband Mitch, adorns the walls, order sheets, ledgers, and labels on the fabric bolts. The museum encourages guests to engage with the exhibit by touching cloth swatches, spools of thread, and samples of buttons and zippers, creating a sensory learning experience. Austin Henderson, arts programming and communications manager at the museum, noted, "I think it’s a very sensory experience as well as a learning experience." He highlighted the value in allowing visitors to connect with history more intimately than traditional display cases would allow.
While the museum plans to incorporate additional features, including personal stories from those acquainted with the Fisher family, Henderson expressed enjoyment in the exhibit's personal touches. One of his favorite objects is a coffee mug filled with tools and utensils that were left behind by customers, representing the store's legacy.
Fleischmann pointed out that the store exemplifies the "shmata" industry, a term derived from Yiddish meaning rag or cloth, which played a crucial role in providing jobs and stability for Jewish immigrants in early 20th century Montreal. She remarked, "A lot of individuals who are not so tied to the community don’t realize that a huge reason why Jewish immigrants came to Montreal was for the garment industry history." Many of these immigrants, primarily seamstresses, arrived after fleeing Eastern Europe, seeking similar job opportunities.
Historically, St-Laurent Boulevard witnessed successive waves of immigrants who established their residences, workplaces, and businesses within the bustling neighborhood. As time progressed, the Jewish community expanded to various areas of the city, while the garment industry migrated northwest to locations above Highway 40. Today, instead of sewing shops, the boulevard hosts an array of trendy restaurants, boutiques, and cafés.
As the last remnant of that particular era, this store serves as a potent reminder of the significant history tied to Montreal's garment industry and the Jewish community’s contributions to it.
