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Andrew Thompson first started the hardware store in 1865. He was born in Innisfil township, and first started a hardware store with a Mr. Kendall. He then bought out his partner, and the Driffill's Hardware store on the corner, and proceeded to run his business. In addition to hardware items, he also carried silverware, stoves, furnaces, paints, and school supplies. When he died in 1905, Miss Thompson, a graduate of the Optical Institute of Canada, became store manager. She ran her business out of the shop as well. The Thompson's home was located at the corner of Moore and Frederick Streets.

Everyone is gathered around the side of the building for an auction.

The article accompanying this photograph gives a brief biography of Andrew Thompson and a photograph of their residence. Andrew Thompson ran Thompson's Hardware on the southwest corner of Holland Street and Simcoe Road. This store was formerly Driffill's Hardware where Thompson was a partner.

The article accompanying this photograph gives a brief biography of Mrs. Andrew (Mary) Thompson and a photograph of their store. Andrew Thompson ran Thompson's Hardware on the southwest corner of Holland Street and Simcoe Road. The store was formerly Driffill's Hardware where Thompson was a partner.

This photograph is of the south side of Holland Street West, looking westward. on the left side is A.Thompson's Hardware store, with the Bemrose Co. next door.

The caption of this photograph follows:
"Business Men of Bradford of Twelve Years Ago [1894]
Top Row (from left to right): W.J. Walker; J.H. Driffill; Jas. Driffil; E.P. Snow; H.C. Barry; J.H. Davey; S.J.W. Sutherland; Dr. L.H. Campbell; E. Garrett.
Second Row: A. Thompson; H.S. Broughton; Robt Stewart; Jas. Clarke; Wm. Campbell; R.J. Barry; Wm. Kilkenny; John Bemrose, sr.; E. Boddy; Jas. Mills.
Third Row: J.H. Hockridge; C. Elliot; R.F. Green; T.S. Graham; J.S. Boddy; G. Ogilvie; John Bemrose, jr.
Front Row: B. Hulse; E. Driffill; W. Scott; H. Parker; J.G. Cook; W.L. Campbell; A. Sutherland; W.W. Ellis."

The original building located at 4 Holland St. West (on the southwest corner of Holland and Simcoe Streets) was built in the 1840’s and was situated on land originally owned by James Drury. He was one of the early immigrants who reached Upper Canada. Drury rented the corner lot to Thomas Driffill (a blacksmith), who opened a hardware store at that location. The lot was later sold to Robert Cooke, who leased the property to Driffill for another 20 years. Thomas Driffill became the village of Bradford’s first reeve when it was incorporated in 1857. The great fire of 1871 destroyed all but the building’s foundation. It was rebuilt incorporating the intact, old vault and locally-made bricks. Thomas Driffill bought the building in 1885, eventually retired, and left the business to his sons, Joseph and James, who eventually sold it to Andrew Thompson, Driffill's partner. It became Thompson's Hardware. A series of different owners and different types of enterprises followed. William Barron bought the building in 1946 and relocated his hardware business to this site. He made several renovations, including adding a new stone façade, new plate glass windows, and an elevator to facilitate deliveries to the tinsmithing shop upstairs. He retired and left the business to his son Norman. The building later became a motorcycle shop, and eventually, for several years, the Winchester Arms Restaurant. (1, 2, 4, “Four Holland Street West: A Short History” by Lorraine Philip - Bradford West Gwillimbury Public Library, Local History Collection).