For Immediate Release
May 29, 2025
Museum of Jewish Montreal Reopens Century-Old Montreal Sewing Shop as Living Exhibit
MONTREAL – The Museum of Jewish Montreal (MJM) is excited to announce that as of June 5th, it will open a pop-up experience at the historic H. Fisher & Fils Building located at 4129 St. Laurent Blvd.
A perfectly-preserved time capsule from Montreal’s once-thriving shmata (Yiddish for “rag” or “garment”) industry, H. Fisher et Fils was a sewing supply store active from 1922 to 2022 and was founded by Eastern-European Jewish immigrant Harry Fisher. The store’s longevity can be attributed to its relationship with many Canadian garment factories and its ability to provide high-grade sewing notions. The shop’s late owner, Esther Fisher, maintained a rapport with high-profile clients such as Cirque du Soleil and the Opéra de Montréal.
According to Zev Moses, MJM’s director: “This new pop-up space in a historic store is an invitation for visitors to step into the everyday lives of those who built our community and the garment industry in Montreal. We are now writing the next chapter of H. Fisher & Fils starting with the story of Esther Fisher, and we hope to hear the stories of Montrealers who once did business with Esther or frequented the shop.”
From Thursday June 5th, MJM will be reopening H. Fisher to the public, providing access to this time capsule of a once-thriving garment business with the following activities:
- Interactive guided visits will inform guests about the H. Fisher business, Montreal’s garment industry, and Jewish immigration in the early 20th century. Plan your visit at: museemontrealjuif.ca/fisher.
- A story-collection project for visitors with experiences related to the H. Fisher Building and the garment industry. Guests can submit stories and contact information via QR code or at the front desk.
- Contemporary art exhibitions installed in Fisher’s front window will highlight artists and artisans whose practices touch on themes related to the textile industry, immigration, and more.
Annie Polland, President of the Tenement Museum in New York City, shares her excitement on MJM’s new project: “What is so amazing about the H. Fisher space is that you feel like the proprietress has just stepped out, but as you wait, you can start imagining the customers, the interactions, and the connections to Montreal’s Jewish and garment community, and the thousands of clients over time across Canada. The richness of the oral history left to MJM from Esther Fisher, the remarkable space, and the conversations sure to emerge will create a remarkable educational and cultural opportunity for all who visit.”
The H. Fisher & Fils Pop-Up will operate Thursdays through Mondays from 10am to 5pm. MJM’s historical walking tours will meet outside of the H. Fisher Building. Guests can book a guided visit of H. Fisher before or following their walking tours.
For all updates and notices pertaining to this exciting project, we encourage guests to regularly check MJM’s Instagram, Facebook, website, and subscribe to our monthly newsletter.
Press Inquiries:
Austin Henderson, Arts Programming & Communications Manager, austin@imjm.ca