This post came about after seeing an old "Genser's Furniture" sign on the back of a building in the Exchange. I thought I would dig around to find out more....
Genser Comes to Winnipeg
Morris “Moe” Genser was born in Austria in 1880 and came to Canada in the 1890's with his family. Initially, they settled in Montréal where Moe continued his study of the violin and clarinet. Soon the family would move to
Archives of Manitoba N132721907
In the days before the Winnipeg Auditorium and Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra the city's theatres were the mainstay of orchestras. The Walker, crown jewel of C. P. Walker's ' theatre empire, was Winnipeg’s premiére performing centre. Genser worked his way up to the prestigious job of house conductor at the Walker, a position he held for 30 years. During his tenure he would play with the likes of Jack Benny and Eddie Cantor.
Genser’s position atop Winnipeg’s music scene is further evidenced by the fact that he was chosen to organize and conduct the 60 piece orchestra that played at the opening of the Manitoba Legislature in 1921.
February 1933 Library and Archives Canada e006608777
Genser's Retail Store
With his music career in full swing, Morris opened a sheet music store at Portage at Fort in 1926 (where the RBC tower is today). Within two years he added radio sales and two years after that expanded into home appliances.
The leap into the furniture business came 1931 when he amalgamated the furniture, appliance and radio business into “Genser and Son's” at a 28,000 sq ft building at 291 Portage Avenue.
Western Canada Pictorial Index
Photo taken from the City of Winnipeg Historical Building Committee's “1991 The Year Past”
The “sons” in referred to Percy, Lawrence and Harold who all joined in the family business at the new location.
Manitoba Free Press Aug 14, 1931
The boys shared in their father’s musical abilities as 'The Genser Trio' was a popular group on
Manitoba Free Press Oct 1931
In the final year of World War II Genser’s opened a number of 'satellite stores' around the city to serve the new waves of immigrants in their own community and their own language.
University of Manitoba Archives
Winnipeg Tribune Collection PC 18/3246/18-2499-001
In 1956 the store took over the Kodak Eastman block to the east. In 1959 they opened a 28,000 sq ft store at the new
On December 23, 1961 Morris Genser of 270 Montrose passed away at the Misericordia Hospital at the age of 81. Aside from his musical and business success he was also remembered for his work in the community. He was a lifelong member of Shaarey Zedek Synagogue, serving as its president for a decade.
Winnipeg Free Press, December 31, 1961
The Winnipeg Free Press called him “…the man credited with the creation of the Winnipeg symphony Orchestra”.
In his early days Winnipeg's music scene was made up of dozens of small orchestras including: The Men’s Musical Club; Women’s Musical Club; two different Winnipeg Symphony Orchestras; Winnipeg Choral and Orchestral Society; the Winnipeg Orchestra; Winnipeg Philharmonic Choir; the Summer Symphony Orchestra. On February 13, 1947, with Morris Genser as the driving force, the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra was incorporated.
A New Era
Genser’s carried on with son Lawrence as President, Percy as VP and Harold on the board.
The Gensers were very active in the community.
Percy Genser appears in the newspapers regularly for his community work. A few of his roles: the 1962 chairman of MTC’s fundraising campaign; treasurer of the Bombers in the mid 1950’s; board member and president of the Downtown Business Association; Manitoba Chair for the Canada Centennial committee in the late 60’s. Percy was a board member of the Winnipeg Auditorium for six years but resigned in anger after the province made a successful offer to purchase the Auditorium for $1m to turn it into office space (today it's the Manitoba Archives). Percy felt that the Province 'stole' the building at that price.
Bonnie and Harold Genser
Son Harold was president of Shaarey Zedek Synagogue, the vice-president of the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra and president of the International Consumer Credit Association. His wife Bonnie was president of the WSO’s women’s committee and, for many years, the chair of the sisterhood of Shaarey Zedek.By 1971 there was a new generation involved in the business. David Genser, grandchild of Morris, was now the general manager. By this time, however, the Genser furniture empire was in poor shape. In September 1971 David announced that Genser’s would be closing their downtown store. He cited the retail trend toward larger, 'showroom style' furniture stores requiring a change in focus. In its place, Genser’s would set up four showroom stores in the suburbs.
“1991 The Year Past”
David did not get a chance to bring about the new era of a 'suburban-showroom' Genser's. On February 14, 1972, after 46 years in business, Genser’s was ordered into receivership. The only furniture location at the time was the Ross Avenue warehouse.
1 comment:
Thanks for sharing, it was an interesting read!
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