Historic Sites of Manitoba: Rex Café Site (50 Main Street, Carberry)

This location along Carberry’s historic downtown strip was formerly occupied by the Rex Cafe. Built around 1900, the one-storey brick structure was a public gathering place for many years. Operated by Chinese-born entrepreneur Lee Low (1896-1958) from 1922 to 1950, it served hot meals, ice cream, and soft drinks and also sold candy, fruit, tobacco and cigars. The building was demolished in 1983 and the site, designated municipally (2007), is now used to commemorate the 125th anniversary of the town.

Rex Cafe

Rex Cafe (no date)
Source: Carberry Plains Archives

Rex Cafe Site

Rex Cafe Site (April 2010)
Source: Gordon Goldsborough

Site Coordinates (lat/long): N49.86742, W99.35913
denoted by symbol on the map above

See also:

Historic Sites of Manitoba: C.V.M. Cafe (24 Main Street, Carberry)

Historic Sites of Manitoba: Municipally Designated Historic Sites

Early Chinese settlers in Western Manitoba by Alison R. Marshall
Manitoba History, Number 62, Winter 2009

Sources:

Former Rex Café Site, 50 Main Street, Carberry, Manitoba Historic Resources Branch.

This page was prepared by Gordon Goldsborough.

Page revised: 24 January 2022

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