Former Owner Of P.G Towns And Sons Fondly Remembers The Douro Landmark Four Years After It Caught Fire

Four years ago, on Feb. 2, 2018, Douro residents were shocked and saddened to learn that P.G Towns and Sons General Store had burnt to the ground after being a staple in the community for over 125 years.

Gerome Lemoire, Mike Towns and Mark Towns holding a case of 'While Mindin the Store', Mike’s book, recovered from the fire.

On Feb. 2, 2018 around 1 a.m. the building fondly referred to by locals as ‘The Store’ caught fire.

The Store was the hub of the community. Located right in the centre of the Hamlet of Douro, it brought locals together for groceries, farm goods and the latest local news.

Michelle Towns owned and operated the store with her husband Chris Coons for about 12 years, until they shut it down in 2016.

The Store made a come back when Michelle’s sister Nancy Towns, along with her brother Mark and Bernard and Lise Leahy re-opened the building calling it ‘Towns and Leahy Mercantile’.

Below are photos taken by Mike Towns at the opening of Towns and Leahy Mercantile in 2017.

Shortly after it’s re-opening was when The Store caught fire.

Now, four years since it has been gone, former owner Mike Towns enjoys hearing locals fond memories of The Store.

“My mind is pretty busy today,” he said. “Michelle (his daughter) made a post about the anniversary on Facebook and I’ve read some really great comments from people, that helps a lot with grieving. If I can say with humility, we really do hear great things about The Store even now after it’s gone.”

Mike says seeing neighbors stop in the isles to chat is one of his favourite memories from working at The Store.

“There’s no place to stop to say hello to someone in Douro now, it makes quite a difference in the village I feel,” he said. “We lost a way of life that night. And that way of life, it was meaningful to everyone. We had a place to keep in touch with our community.”

Footage from Towns and Leahy Mercantile by Angela O’Grady, 2017.

Mike, who is a photographer, recalls the night his family’s legacy went up in flames as a night he will never forget.

When he heard the news, he and his wife Rosemary jumped in their car right away, Mike with his camera in tow.

“I stopped before I went out the door and I thought am I being selfish taking a picture of this, and I decided no I should take it with me,” he said.

The two pulled into the church parking lot across the road from The Store.

“That was our first full view of it and it was just like the sky had opened up to take the flames. They seemed as high as the building. It was quite emotional. And those photos have more impact than any photo I’ve ever seen in my life.”

Now the empty lot where The Store once stood serves as a gathering place for the Towns family and their friends.

Currently those driving by may spot Chris and Michelle’s children skating on their home made rink which sits on the concrete slab that was once The Store.

Engage with us on social media on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook and Tiktok. Write to us at tips@ptbocanada.com. Sign up for PTBOBuzz newsletter here.