The companies first store opened in 1964 in Hamilton , Ontario under the name `` Tim Horton Donuts '' ( the word donut would later be dropped and the company name ended up as just `` Tim Horton 's '' , and later was changed to `` Tim Hortons '' without the apostrophe ) . The chain 's first store opened in 1964 in Hamilton , Ontario , under the name `` Tim Horton Donuts '' ; the name was later abbreviated to `` Tim Horton 's '' and then changed to `` Tim Hortons '' without the possessive apostrophe .