From John Little’s Archives: The Original Orange Julep
Here is an archival photo of the original Gibeau Orange Julep, taken by John Little in September 1963.
Built in 1945, this smaller, concrete version of the iconic landmark was a true symbol of Montreal. It was famously known for its roller-skating waitresses who would bring orders right to your car window.
This summer, I had the privilege of working alongside Lillian Dumbrille and Ariela Alperstein to digitize the studio archives of John Little—nearly 11,000 photographs of Montreal, Quebec City, Halifax, and beyond.
Until now, these images had never been seen by the public. Together, they form a remarkable visual record of the streets, neighbourhoods, and landmarks that inspired one of Canada’s great urban painters. Some directly informed his paintings, while others, like the one below, stand on their own as fascinating glimpses of a city in transition.
The original Gibeau Orange Julep, taken by John Little in September 1963.
In this archival photograph from September 1963, John Little captured the original Gibeau Orange Julep on Décarie Boulevard. Built in 1945, this smaller, concrete version of the iconic landmark was a true symbol of Montreal. It was famously known for its roller-skating waitresses who would bring orders right to your car window.
A few years after this photo was taken, the original building was demolished to make way for the Décarie Expressway in preparation for Expo 67, and the current, larger fibreglass orange was constructed nearby.
For me, this single photograph is a perfect example of what makes John Little’s archives so extraordinary. They don’t just document the places he painted, they capture a city and its culture at moments of profound change.
Archive Reference: M169-L14-5471