Reid's General Store

Reid’s General store has been designated a heritage structure because of its architectural and social values.

Architecturally, this shed roofed, timber framed building is very important because it represents a style of fishery buildings commonly seen throughout Newfoundland in the early 1900s. At the front of the building there was a commercial shop, complete with the typical large storefront windows, a recessed doorway and decorative detailing. The exterior storefront is covered in clapboard siding, which conveyed a neat appearance, in contrast to the back of the building which is covered in rough wooden shingles, reflective of the utilitarian use of that end of the building.

During its operation, Reid’s General Store played an important role in the community of Heart’s Delight. Built and operated by Fredrick Ellis Reid, this store housed a fish store, salt shop, herring factory, carpentry shop, flour store, and a wharf were many schooners docked. Heart’s Delight and many of the surrounding communities relied on the business for both employment and survival. The business was passed on to Fredrick’s son, Ellis Reid, who continued to run the business until the early 1980s when he built a new building.