Expansion westward along Portage Avenue was sparked by the construction of a huge retail store by the T. Eaton Company in 1905 (seen here on the right). With this development other commercial establishments, particularly retail stores, began to fill in the space between the store and Main Street. By 1914 retail trade had extended along Portage Avenue well into the West End. Portage Avenue, with its newer stores and office buildings, became more attractive than Main Street where the commercial establishments were older, and often too small for the increasing number of customers.
