In partnership with the Newmarket Historical Society, NewmarketToday brings you a regular series of columns aimed at creating awareness about the rich history and heritage of our community. You can connect with the historical society at newmarkethistoricalsociety@
Who doesn’t love a good meal of fish and chips? Chip+Malt opened its doors at 201 Main St. in Newmarket on Aug. 6, 2016. The building was also home to Cassidy’s Flower Shop, which occupied two floors until the early 2000s. The Running Free store called 201 Main St. home until Chip+Malt moved in.
This building is located within the Caldwell Block, which spans from 201 to 211 Main St. The block is named after James B. Caldwell, also known as JB, who was born in New York in 1807 to Irish immigrant parents from County Tyrone. The Caldwell family settled in Ontario in the 1820s, but shortly after their arrival, JB’s father died in a logging accident when a tree fell on him. At just 12 years old, JB assumed the role of head of the family. He later apprenticed for six years with a furniture maker named Erasmus Winman, of North York, honing his craft.
In 1813, JB relocated to Newmarket with his wife, Rosanna (Potter), and they had six sons and three daughters. Initially, JB rented both a home and a workshop from Mordecai Millard, but four years later, he built his own residence and workshop on Botsford Street. Unfortunately, the building was destroyed by fire while he was away on business in North York, leaving him bankrupt. This was not the last time JB’s business would be ravaged by fire; it happened twice more, but each time, he rebuilt. His home, Liberty Hall, still stands today at 438 Botsford St.
Politically, Caldwell was a Liberal and Reformist who sympathized with the rebels in the 1837 Rebellion. Although he avoided arrest, he aided the prisoners in Newmarket before they were sent to Toronto.
Caldwell operated his furniture-making business, specializing in chairs, and his paint store for 50 years, much of it from this building. During this time, the second floor also served as a Temperance Hall Lodge for the Sons of Temperance. He played a key role in founding the Grammar School and building the Model School, and he also held a seat on council. Despite facing significant business setbacks, he retired comfortably and died in 1887. It would be fascinating to know if any of his chairs have survived to this day.
By 1889, Newmarket native Julius R. Mader was running a general store from this same building. He began his career with Bogart & Allen, and then worked for Danford Roche for many years. After Roche’s business failed, Mader took over his original store at 211 Main St. (The Hungry Brew Hop) and the Aurora store (which later closed) before relocating to the larger space at 201 Main St.
These were the days when all six stores in the Caldwell Block were competing general merchants. Three years later, Mader was forced to close his business.
He then moved to Kingston, and then New York, finally ending up working at Eaton’s, where he stayed for 27 years and achieved the position of night supervisor for all of its Toronto stores and warehouses. He retired in Newmarket, where he died in October 1933.
Joseph Millard and his son, John, moved in and ran a furniture store and funeral parlor at 201 Main St. from about 1900 to 1920.
By 1930, the building was a Chainway general store, until about 1974, for a total of 44 years.
Like many of Main Street’s treasured buildings, 201 has a rich history, having housed a restaurant, a flower shop, a running store, a furniture and paint shop, a cabinetmaker, a general store and a funeral home. It still stands today as a beacon of resilience and determination, reflecting the businesses that once called it home.