Published September 2026
The Bricker Block story has its roots in 1877 when David and Aaron Bricker purchased the site after a catastrophic fire burned through the Royal Hotel and properties around it. Aaron Bricker established a successful Blacksmith and Livery service out of a wood frame building that he built after purchasing the property. In 1898 he built 66 Queen, the first two-story brick building covering 5,000 square foot ground area. Around 1912, Bricker built the three-story 44-54 Queen Street South building. The block was completed when Bricker built the three-story 58 Queen building in the middle. 100 years after Bricker established himself on Queen Street, The Working Centre did as well. First renting 58 Queen in 1985, then in the 1990’s, The Working Centre started purchasing and refurbishing each of these buildings, completing the work in 2023.
Presently in the Bricker Block there are 30 affordable apartment units focusing especially on single new Canadian woman with children; the busy Employment Resource Centre and Money Matters project supporting 1000’s of people each year; Maurita’s Kitchen, the commercial kitchen at the back of 66 Queen, which produces over 700 meals a day for St. John’s Kitchen and other shelter projects; and Computer Recycling is in the basement of 66 Queen. The front façade of 54-44 Queen is still under development. Presently Jesse Robertson’s Black Arrow Cycles operates at 50 Queen S. For 30 years Mark Kryszak operated ABC Surplus in the end unit. Mark died suddenly this winter and TWC arranged a memorial service that was held at the Queen Street Commons and attended by friends and his customers. In June, The Working Centre employment services began offering employment workshops out of this space.
