This one-storey brick building on Westminster Avenue in Winnipeg was constructed in 1929 by contractor William James Lailey as a grocery store for Piggly Wiggly Canadian Limited. It opened officially on 17 August 1929. Sold to Safeway Stores Limited in 1935, and operated until about 1960, the building, with a relatively unmodified exterior from its original appearance, was still in use as a local grocery store at the time of a 2020 site visit.
Former Piggly Wiggly and Safeway store on Westminster Avenue in Winnipeg (June 2017)
Source: George PennerSite Coordinates (lat/long): N49.88218, W97.16493
denoted by symbol on the map above
See also:
Memorable Manitobans: William James Lailey (1879-1951)
Manitoba Business: Piggly Wiggly Canadian Limited
Manitoba Business: Safeway Stores Limited
“Piggly Wiggly grand opening Saturday,” Winnipeg Tribune, 16 August 1929, page 5.
“Piggly Wiggly company opens store no. 20,” Winnipeg Tribune, 26 October 1929, page 29.
“$10,000 permit issued,” Winnipeg Tribune, 10 June 1929, page 3.
“Probe hears of Piggly Wiggly stores setup,” Winnipeg Tribune, 16 October 1935, page 3.
“For Easter … It’s Swift’s premium ham,” Winnipeg Tribune, 8 April 1936, page 12.
We thank Jordan Makichuk for providing additional information used here.
This page was prepared by George Penner and Gordon Goldsborough.
Page revised: 3 November 2022
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