Hamilton’s historic Kenesky’s closing up shop

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A piece of not just Hamilton history, but hockey history is about to disappear.

Kenesky Sport and Cycle announced today it will close its doors at the end of the month. The legendary store has been a fixture at the corner of Barton and Wellington in Hamilton for a century. It’s where the goalie pad was invented, but the changing landscape of business means that soon these doors will close for good.

Like every piece of equipment they’ve sold, from every hand-stitched glove, to every leather goalie pad, eventually there has to be an end.

“It’s time, it’s time.”

On a day where he frequently fights back tears, the owner of Kenesky Sport and Cycle, Joel Hulsman announced that he has sold the Barton St landmark.

“(I) always thought I was the king of Barton St, well someone else is going to have to take that one over now.”

The current king of barton has spend 48 years here, most as owner, now his phone ringing off the hook, with customers expressing their sadness. many more are just dropping by to reminisce.

Employee Jacob Pope reminisces, “you know their first pair of pads, their first bicycle, experiences they’ve had here, with the Stanley Cup being here.”

It started in 1915 when Pop Kenesky opened a bike shop on this very location, but it was a decade later when a room upstairs would become a part of hockey history. The fitting room is the most historic place in the entire building. You can see the autographs from all the goalies who have been here in the past. That’s because this room is where the goalie pad was actually invented in 1925.

Pop Kenesky took the idea from a cricket pad that he had seen, and he brought that to what we now know as the modern goalie pad. That iconic look dominated the NHL for decades, with everyone from Terry Sawchuk to Johnny Bower wearing Kenesky.

The building has been sold to Jet Port, a company headed by Ron Joyce. It is expected to be turned into a medical complex with some retail space on the main level, and a plaque to honour the history of this place. Hulsman says “that was part of the deal.”

This past year Hulsman made a deal to create modern Kenesky goalie pads, and they will continue. But like everything else, none will be sold at this location after December 31st.

“When I put the key in the door for the last day, that’s going be tough. Believe me, it’s going to be real tough.”

The next month will be a mixture of goodbyes and hard work as Hulsman has to have the place cleared out by December 31st. For any parents who may be looking to buy some gear for their kids, equipment is going for 50 per cent off.