“Come to Calgary prepared to shop. Be ready also to have a good time while here.” This was one of the many headlines in the Calgary Daily Herald of Nov. 8, 1913, as the newspaper published a variety of articles about a special event — the Big Herald Shopping Festival. Visiting the Husdon’s Bay “magnificent $1,000,000 department store” would be a highlight of a visit to the festival, the Herald reported, as would the deals promised at almost every store in town. A rocking chair could be had for only $3.50, a handbag for $2, lace curtains for 95 cents and a toothbrush for 15 cents. Men’s suits could be purchased for $20, a sewing machine for $19.50, a brass bed for anywhere from $15.75 to $100, and — for elite shoppers — $150 Paris gowns were on sale for $75 at Hudson’s Bay. Read More