The Modest Businessman

Summer walk in Rosedale is always soothing and relaxing. Like Wychwood Park, the huge trees provide shades from summer heat to admire architectural gems like this.

Designed by Burke & Horwood for H. H. Fudger, President of Simpson’s Department Store (176 Yonge Street, currently Hudson’s Bay), this pre-1900 Queen Anne Revival masterpiece was built at a time when Rosedale mansions were true country estates owned by business tycoons. 

Rosedale lots were further sub-divided post-1900. Although mansions (large by today’s standards) were still being built. Grand mansions like the Fudger House with large acreage became a bygone era.

From the book, “Memoirs of a Canadian Merchant”, Fudger was a relatively caring businessman. The night shift workers would get extra pay, enough to buy roast beef dinner with a pint of ale. He would also invite workers to his Rosedale home after work.

Furthermore, his company pioneered the concept of profit sharing and pension plans. He also encouraged managers to volunteer and give back to community.

When old Victorian house, 439 Sherbourne came on the market, Fudger bought it and used it to shelter single working women just arrived in Toronto, now known as Fudger Shelter.

Fudger once said, “with the hurry and hustle of daily life and work, many of us do not see the beauty of which the world is full.”

This sort of echoes my personal motto I always have in mind, “There are always flowers for those who want to see them”.

The photo of Fudger House in summer, in a way, represents the owner’s kind heart.

40 Maple Avenue, Rosedale