Holt, Renfrew & Co., popularly known as Holt Renfrew or just Holt’s, isn’t merely a chain of upscale department stores: It’s a rich part of Canadian history.
Holt 's was founded in 1837 as W.S. Henderson & Co., a modest hat shop in Quebec City, by Irish merchant William S. Henderson. Soon after, it was adding more merchandise to its inventory and expanding.