A very popular businessman in my youth was a gentleman by the name of "Jake" Houzer.
Jake's haberdashery store was located on the South-West corner of Kent and Lindsay streets and was among the most popular Mens' Clothing stores in town.
Jake was a small individual in stature, wore glasses, had a mustache and when talking to him one would readily recognize his accent as being that of a Hebrew.
Houzer had two sons, Percy and Henry, the latter of which owned a Mens' Clothing Shop further west on Kent street near the site of the former Post Office known as "Henry Houzer's Mens' Wear.
Although competitors, "Jake" was very happy for his sons and always spoke highly of them and used to recommend Henry's store to customers who couldn't find what they wanted in his shop.
One of my favourite memories of "Jake" was a story that did the rounds in Lindsay. It seems that a farmer walked into his store and asked "Jake" to fit him for a new suit.
Houzer removed the measuring tape from around his neck and commenced to take his customer's measurements. It was at this point that he passed the remark that he, the customer, was a "wee bit stooped".
The gent, being somewhat hard of hearing, thought Houzer had said "stupid", and wheeled around and told "Jake" that he wasn't too damn bright himself then turned and stormed out of the store.
Apparently "Jake" never had a chance to explain himself nor did he ever see the man in his store again.
