File:Duncans Store at the corner of Market Square and James Street North (14184356751).jpg

English: George Barnes (1812-1868) opened a book and office supply store on King Street East called George Barnes & Company about 1845. As well as being the first bookstore opened in Hamilton it was one of the earliest opened in Ontario. This store proved very successful and in 1868 Barnes moved it to 17 James Street North, the very heart of Hamilton’s commercial district at that time and immediately across the street from Hamilton’s City Hall. This site was to prove extremely successful for the company. In 1869 Robert Duncan and John C. Stuart acquired the company which became known as Duncan Stuart & Company. In 1878 Duncan became the sole proprietor when he bought out John C. Stuart. The company then became known as Robert Duncan and Company. In 1883 Duncan added a printing firm to the rear of the store which was known as Duncan Lithographing Company. As well as books the store dealt in office and social stationary, magazines, wall paper and paint. The proposed re-development of the downtown core and the construction of Lloyd D. Jackson Square saw the expropriation of many of the core’s oldest and most established businesses including Robert Duncan and Company. In 1969, just over 100 years after its establishment on the site Duncan’s was forced to move to Park Street.
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