31. The Magic Door

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The Magic Door – 100 River St

The present building at 100 River Street was completed in 1892, a date still visible in the stonework at the top of its façade. A 1910 fire insurance map shows a hardware store operating here during the building’s early years.

In 1918, Arthur “Art” Brether moved his barber and tailor business here from a location across River Street near what later became Stop 4 Variety. Brether, who lived from 1870 to 1949, worked as a barber in Sunderland for approximately 35 years.

After Brether retired, Lionel Gervais took over the barbershop and operated a pool hall at the rear of the building. The property later came into the hands of Ralph Pinkham, who converted portions of it into approximately four apartments. Among the residents were Mary Giroux and her husband, Barry O’Neill.

In 1972, Bill Urima purchased the building from Ralph Pinkham and began restoring the front to its original appearance. An art gallery was created from the front apartment and, as tenants eventually left the apartments at the rear, the gallery expanded farther into the building.

The Magic Door Art Gallery and Studio was established in 2001, eventually providing approximately 1,400 square feet of exhibition space.

One notable exhibition featured 36 paintings and murals by Canadian historical artist Lewis Parker depicting the daily life of the Huron-Wendat people. During the exhibition, Parker donated his painting of St. Mary’s Anglican Church to the Sunderland Historical Society, creating a lasting connection between the gallery and Sunderland’s historical collection.

The Magic Door Art Gallery eventually closed, ending another chapter in the building’s long commercial history. Since its construction in 1892, the building has served as a hardware store, barbershop, pool hall, apartments and art gallery—an example of how Sunderland’s historic River Street buildings have continually been adapted to new uses.