Simons in Quebec began in Quebec City in 1840 and remains one of the province’s best-known homegrown fashion retailers. Visitors sometimes confuse Peter Simons, the modern-era executive associated with civic projects, with founder John Simons.
Who founded Simons?
John Simons founded the business in Quebec City in 1840 when he was 17 years old. His father, Peter Simons, had arrived from Scotland in 1812 and settled near Quebec City, but it was John who moved into the city and opened the small dry-goods shop. The early business sold imported wares and built its reputation around merchandise and service.
John’s son Archibald later joined the company and made repeated Atlantic crossings to source goods from Europe. That trading history helps explain why Simons is more than a recent clothing chain with an old-looking logo: its roots are tied directly to Quebec City’s 19th-century commercial life. The company calls itself Canada’s oldest family-owned business in its official Simons history.
The original Old Quebec store
In 1870, John Simons moved the store to 20 côte de la Fabrique in Old Quebec. The shop and company head office remain at that address. The building’s façade and interior arches retain a historic character, although the store has been enlarged and renovated over time.
The location is directly across from the Notre-Dame de Québec Basilica-Cathedral and a short walk from City Hall. That makes it easy to visit without creating a separate shopping excursion. Our guide to Old Quebec can help place it within a larger walking route through the historic district.
What does Simons sell?
Simons is primarily a fashion retailer. It sells women’s and men’s clothing, accessories, shoes and home goods, combining outside designers with its own labels. Those in-house collections divide the store into recognizable style and price zones, which can make a large location easier to navigate.
The Old Quebec branch is historically important, but it is not the company’s only Quebec City store. Simons opened at Place Ste-Foy in 1961 and at Galeries de la Capitale in 1981, extending the business beyond the old downtown. The company later expanded into other Canadian cities while keeping its headquarters in Quebec City.
Who is Peter Simons?
Peter Simons is a later-generation member of the family who helped lead the company in the modern era. He is closely associated with the restoration and donation of the Fontaine de Tourny, the monumental fountain in front of Quebec’s Parliament Building.
That distinction matters because the names recur across generations: Peter Simons was not the 1840 founder. The company’s documented timeline identifies John Simons as the founder and explains how five generations of the family shaped the retailer.
Why the store matters to visitors
The côte de la Fabrique location offers something that a typical mall visit cannot: a functioning contemporary store inside the commercial landscape where the company developed. You can browse current Canadian and international fashion, see the historic architectural details and step back into the heart of Old Quebec without needing a ticket.
Allow roughly 20 to 45 minutes for a casual visit, more if you plan to shop seriously. Store hours can differ by day and season, so check the official location listing before going. For another nearby piece of the Simons family’s local legacy, walk uphill toward Parliament Hill to see the fountain they returned to public life.
Three Simons stores in Quebec City today
Simons currently lists three Quebec City locations: the historic Old Quebec store at 20 Côte de la Fabrique, Place Ste-Foy at 2450 Boulevard Laurier and Galeries de la Capitale at 5401 Boulevard des Galeries. They serve different kinds of visits, so the oldest store is not automatically the most convenient one.
The Old Quebec location is the one to choose for history and an easy stop during sightseeing. Place Ste-Foy works well if your day already takes you toward Sainte-Foy, while Galeries de la Capitale is a larger suburban shopping-centre stop. Simons’ own store directory is the best place to check current hours and services before going.
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