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I haven't been back to Canada since I left 13 years ago, but I continue to get wistful at this time of year: above all because I miss the drift of autumn into winter, looking forward to the first snowfall, and thinking about all the activities that come with it.
Coincident to this is a store in Canada - as much a national institution as the CBC - that for decades has marked the seasons' changes with its bi-annual catalogue.
Indeed, Canadian Tire is the type of shop that stocked all of my boyhood dreams: from sports equipment (ice hockey and bicycles above all), to camping gear, to automotive parts. Think 'Halford's', only really big and somehow also home-y.
In any case, this struck me yesterday, and so I visited their website for the first time and found it to be just like I remembered the catalogue. There was certainly never any question as to where 99% of my Christmas wishlist came from.
In any case, considering they cover many areas that interest a fair number of us on here, I thought you might like to [url= http://www.canadiantire.ca/en.html ]see for yourselves[/url].*
Now, lest you should get all critical, remember: you will be treading on my childhood. 
*I have no interest in the store, other than what I have just described. I looked up 'astroturfing' after Cougar warned me yesterday, and it definitely does not apply.
*Reported*
😉
I went to one in Calgary in 2000. Oh, My, God. Like you say, it sold everything form tyres to fishin gear & guns to bikes.
A bit like Santa's grotto for blokes.
If calrsberg did stores it would be weak, generic piss with no real substance and a nasty aftertaste...
I do however remember this from BC
http://www.mec.ca/Main/home.jsp
Yes, MEC is great, and I continue to shop there using my in-laws as couriers. But nothing matches the sheer boyhood pleasure of Canadian Tire. Nothing.
And, I agree with you about Carlsberg. I just wanted to grab attention.
MiL lives in Ontario, no vist there is complete without one pilgrimage, at least, to CT. My last, and finest purchase was a pair of Kamik snow boots. Less than £30, for proper winter capabilities.
You didn't mention Canadian Tire money.... The first time I got given some I was completely confused (it's a bit like cash back; for every $ spent you get 1c but it looks like monopoly money). The hard part is actually finding the one thing you're looking for......
Yup, on my more recent canoe trip I stocked up on paddling, fishing, bear-spray and shotgun supplies at CT.
On my first visit I was slightly overawed by the scale of the shop and ended up taking pics of the aisles of outdoor blokey kit.
My Canadian friend didn't understand why I acted like a child in a sweet shop 😀
So it's like Trago Mills then?
Or decathlon..?
DrP
I got so confused by the Canadian Tire radio adverts when I was in Vancouver recently.
"so, they're a tyre shop, that also sells wholesale batches of waterguns?"
"so, they're a tyre shop, that also sells wholesale batches of waterguns?"
Exactly. How awesome is that? 😀
Excellent thread 🙂
May I also nominate Harbour Freight in the US? A bit like Machine Mart but being in the US, it sells MORE of everything from screwdrivers to car ramps, lathes, milling machines, shop air equippment, all sorts.
Then there's Fleet Farm which I think is more a Wisconsin thing. Sells farm supplies, DIY, clothes, sweets, pet stuff, huntin', fishin', all sorts.
Being a middle-class STWer though, my favourite is REI.
EDIT Oh yeah, also Cabelas. Complete with stuffed zoo and toy shooting range inside.
http://singletrackmag.com/forum/topic/talking-about-a-specific-business#post-7301522
I was right! Do I win a loonie?
Good one, scuttler. I hadn't actually noticed that when you first posted it.
I take it you've been to Canada, and had the pleasure of visiting Canadian Tire?
Your guess certainly suggests you deserve to. 8)
Ex-Banff summertime [s]waiter[/s]waster and Sunshine Village employee (1995). Happy days.
Love Canadian tire ..great store but I will raise you with Cabelas good all round mancave talk
I lived in Canada for a couple of years and was a big fan of Canadian Tyre.
If Canadian Tyre didn't sell it you probably didn't need it. Great shop.