When the stock markets around the world crashed on October 29, 1929 it signaled the beginning of the Great Depression, for the next decade would become known as the "Dirty Thirties." Over night millionaires would be bankrupt. There would be very little money, work, and food for people to survive. The Great Depression was greatly heightened by a shortage in wheat crops, which diminished the food supply of the world. Most businesses had to survive on a barter or credit system as most people had very little money. Many countries around the world, including Canada tried to impose tariffs to help their economies at home was to no avail. It would not be until the beginning of the Second World War that Canada would finally see the end of the Great Depression. For most store owners it was a struggle to survive in this era of economic hardship.

 

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