WELCOME

Art Teachers: NOTICE: If interested in teaching artist classes, we now have a newly renovated space located on the second floor of our arts and crafts department available for classroom use.

Please inquire if interested. Call Monday to Thursday 9:30 to 5:30, Fridays 9:30 to 9:00, or Saturday 9:30 to 5:30, or come in and speak to one of the staff in person.

We are located in downtown St. Catharines, Canada, and have been in business here for 63 years. In 1947, Marie Lounsbury’s father Jack started the business on King Street in St. Catharines along with Henry Bartel. At first, both men worked at Mckinnon’s, now known as G.M. They started it as a retirement project for after G.M. Marie's mother worked at the store during the day and the men worked there after their shifts and on the weekend. After about 7 years, Henry decided to retire and Ray Lounsbury bought him out. They moved the business to a larger store at 236 St. Paul St. and rented there for 15 years. During that time, Jack retired and Marie joined the business. They hired on more staff and the business grew. In 1974 they decided to buy their own building and moved to the current location, at 395 St. Paul St.

10 years after that, the building next store became available so they bought it. Niagara Central Hobbies is still owned by Ray and Marie but only until the summer 2010, when they are retiring and their son Mark and his wife Cheryl are taking over and hope to keep the business running the way it has for 63 years.

Art Class Starting this September!
Learn to Sew: Basic Hand & Machine sewing
Susan Gabel
905-984-5289
susan.gabel@gmail.com