Noel Rishor and Max Rishor, brothers, became owners Monday [12 February 1951] of the Bank of Commerce block at the southwest corner of Hunter and Water streets. // Announcement of the purchase was verified several months ago, but the details of the transfer were not completed until Tuesday. It is understood that Rishor brothers paid more than $150,000 for the property, which at present comprises 28 tenancies. There is no vacancy in the entire building of 96 foot frontage on Hunter St and 192 feet on Water St.

In its extent of space and ground footage this is the largest down town property turn over in present memory. Some of those George St business and realty parcels no doubt involved larger amounts of money in their change of ownership.

The details of this Rishor property were mentioned when the rumor of the sale was first reported. It embraces the Fiske and Soden stores on Hunter St, with the Bank of Commerce, and on Water St it extends all the way down to, but not inclusive of the Goodfellow and Dougherty plumbing and heating shop.

On the ground floor on that street are Hopkins’ Motor Sales, Reid’s Transfer at the rear; V.M. Eastwood, insurance office; Sackville Insurance and Realty Agencies; Archibald and Richmond, plumbers; Dixon and Hurley, insurance; W.F. Huycke, K.C., law office; McColl and Turner, accountants.

Offices on the second floor include: Carley and Standish, law offices; Empire Life Insurance Co.; Pierce and Pierce, surveyors; Meredith Dental Laboratory; Dr B.R. Smyth, dentist; Dr C..H. Fulford, dentist; Credit Associates; and the quarters of First Church of Christ Scientist. // The Masonic Hall occupies the third floor. There are also six apartments in the block.

The main corner building was originally in the title of Senator George A. Cox, who transferred it to the Toronto Savings Loan Company. Originally, there may have been a hotel in the corner part of the property, but that goes back into the 1880s, beyond present memory.

Apparently the transfer by Senator Cox was made in 1886. There has been no change in the title since then.

The Bank of Commerce was removed from the southwest corner of Brock and George Streets to its present location. It is understood that the original vault there is now used by Victoria and Grey Trust Co.

The new owners, Noel and Max Rishor, are young Peterborough men whose experience is the basis of their confidence in the future of Peterborough and in their present investment.

Peterborough Examiner, 14 February 1951

From Heritage Gazette of the Trent Valley (August 2001)