Leckie Block (Bennett's Furniture & Hardware)

The Leckie Block and the attached Crowley Block occupy a significant role in the evolution of Kelowna's Downtown area, for the form and characteristics of the building itself and because of the two high-profile individuals (David Leckie and W.A.C. Bennett) who were associated closely with it.

The association with David Leckie has considerable value because of his many contributions to early Kelowna. Leckie came to Canada in 1882 and arrived in Kelowna in 1903. With considerable capital, he developed this substantial concrete building - originally one storey, with a stone front, comprising the first storey of the left-hand (eastern) portion of the building. It was completed in the summer of 1904, at the onset of Kelowna's second building boom. This was one of the townsites earliest masonry buildings, which began to replace the original wooden structures at this time; and it would have been one of the earliest concrete buildings in British Columbia.

Leckie opened Kelowna's first hardware store, Leckie's Hardware, in the western half of the building. [Likely post-1904; see note above.] The Bank of Montreal, Kelowna's first bank branch, opened with a manager and two assistants in the eastern half of the building in November 1904 - an indication of the beginning of the development boom in the area. The bank moved to its own new building at the northwest corner of Bernard Avenue and Water Street in 1908, and Leckie's business expanded to fill the space vacated. In 1911 a second storey was added to the building, and occupied by offices.

As fitting a prominent businessman, Leckie contributed to his community through his involvement in civic projects, such as the building of the first aquatic facility in City Park and helping finance the first Kelowna General Hospital. He lived nearby at 781 Bernard Avenue, which is also included in the Kelowna Heritage Register.

In August 1930 Leckie sold his hardware store to W.A.C. Bennett, who moved to Kelowna after having sold his interest in two hardware stores in Alberta; a timely move, considering conditions in Alberta as the Great Depression deepened. Bennett's hardware business prospered, as he opened branches in other cities. More space was needed for the Kelowna store, and eventually Bennett's took over the adjoining Crowley Block to the west, which had been built in very similar style in 1912.

Bennett, like Leckie, became involved in civic affairs, particularly in efforts to reorganize fruit marketing, which was in considerable difficulty in the 1930s. He then moved into politics, being first elected to the provincial legislature in 1941 and serving as premier of British Columbia from 1952 to 1972. Bennett lived at 1979 Ethel Street; his residence is also included in the Kelowna Heritage Register.

Reflecting the family's long-standing influence in the affairs of the community, Bennett's three children all worked in the hardware business, his sons managing stores until R.J. Bennett became president of the firm and Bill Bennett followed his father into politics in the 1970s. Anita Tozer (W.A.C. Bennett's eldest child and only daughter) took over management of the store from 1985 until its closure.