PROJECT iv.

Nelsons Laundries

PROJECT iv.

Nelsons Laundries

PROJECT iv.

Nelsons Laundries

PROJECT iv.

Nelsons Laundries

PROJECT iv.

Nelsons Laundries

A) HISTORY

Nelsons Laundries was started by Nels Nelson in 1931. Arthur B. Christopher purchased the business in 1939. Christopher was a self-made man who had dropped out of school at the age of 12. By 1954 Christopher had turned the company into the largest laundry and dry cleaning enterprise in the lower mainland, and by 1968, the largest in Canada. It expanded by purchasing other laundries including Imperial, New Method, Pioneer (aka Dominion), and Royal City. In 1964 the company moved its' headquarters and production plant to the ex-Pioneer plant at 5 West 4th Avenue. Christopher sold the company to the Steiner American Corporation (Alsco) in 1968 although he stayed on in an executive capacity for several more years. Alsco still operates out of the 5 West 4th location.

B) BRAND

The Neslon brand is a bit of a mixed bag until sometime in the mid 40's when the flag logo appears, initially mostly only on packaging. The brand comes to life in the late 50's with the construction of it's modern location at 3505 Kingsway in 1957.

B) BRAND

What caught my attention was Mc &Mc's Sunset brand. I don’t know the origins but from early on the sunset illustration and name is found all over. It's very present throughout it's catalogues, signs and is even found on some products such as axes. Checkout the full 1908-1914 catalogue here. The Sunset gives a sense of moodiness and warmth, sort of odd for a wholesale hardware business. My favourite are the early illustrations.

BRAND

What caught my attention was Mc &Mc's Sunset brand. I don’t know the origins but from early on the sunset illustration and name is found all over. It's very present throughout it's catalogues, signs and is even found on some products such as axes. Checkout the full 1908-1914 catalogue here. The Sunset gives a sense of moodiness and warmth, sort of odd for a wholesale hardware business. My favourite are the early illustrations.

B) BRAND

What caught my attention was Mc &Mc's Sunset brand. I don’t know the origins but from early on the sunset illustration and name is found all over. It's very present throughout it's catalogues, signs and is even found on some products such as axes. Checkout the full 1908-1914 catalogue here. The Sunset gives a sense of moodiness and warmth, sort of odd for a wholesale hardware business. My favourite are the early illustrations.

C) REVIVAL

The flag feels good. I wish I new what the original colour was (I always seem to guess red). The lockup seen on the dry cleaning covers is oddly pleasing. Slogans 'Faster! Better!' and 'Here's New Convience' are beautiful in their 1950's succintness.

C) REVIVAL

Mc & Mc were two partners in business, perhaps also friends, hardworking like the customers. If you flip Mc Mc on-end in looks a bit like two people. Mr McKlennan and Mr. McFeely heading off to work for the day?