Description : For the first three months that the Compton's Garden Market IGA was open, it was both the newest and the oldest IGA store in Canada. The IGA located at the corner of Melbourne Drive and Holland Street West in Bradford, is still the oldest store in the country, celebrating 56 years of customer service this summer. Not only that, but the IGA is still owned by the Compton family - the third generation of Comptons - and that is something that makes Dave and Karen Compton proud. The original store, opened in 1944, was located at 12 Holland Street West; from 1969 to 1983, the store was on John Street West; and from 1983 to just last year, it was located in the Holland Square Plaza. When David Compton had the opportunity to follow in his father's and grandfather's footsteps, and build a new facility, he jumped at the challenge, "It was almost a test: "Show us what you've learned." I think I put everything that I learned into the building of the store." For about 10 years, he had kept notes on what worked and what didn't - and the result is the "Market Garden", with its ample parking, high ceilings, wide aisles and generous entry-way, now being used as a model for other new IGA stores. The store will be marking its 56th anniversary with a 2 week celebration.

Open letter from David Compton to the people of Bradford announcing Compton's IGA closure after 59 years in operation.

An ad for Cottrell’s Garage in Bradford, c. 1933. Appeared in the Bradford Witness.

An ad for Hammell’s Grocery Store in Bradford, c. 1933.

A photograph depicting part of Holland Street in Bradford, taken by Lewis (Lew) Campbell in 1938. Hammell's Grocery Store, Gardner's Hardware and Queen's Hotel are visible in the photo.

Photograph of the delivery wagon for J. G. Gray's Grocer & Deli store, located on Holland Street East.

John Zampaloni's store was located at the corner of Colborne Street and Holland Street East.

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Article contains description of the Compton business.

"Gordon Compton, who owns the Bradford IGA, was born in London, Ontario, where his father ran the local A and P store. Gord's family moved around quite a bit from the time he was born in 1933, until they settled in Bradford. His father owned the old IGA store, now the site of 'Flowers by Tina.' After graduating from high school, Gord studied for a year at the School of Mines in Haileybury, Ontario, but gave up his studies and returned to help out in the family business when his father became ill. He eventually took over the business and saw IGA move into its present home in 1966."

An ad for Sutherland’s Grocery in Bradford, c. 1933. Appeared in the Bradford Witness.