This one-storey brick and Tyndall stone building on Main Street in Winnipeg, measuring 25 feet by 70 feet, was designed by local architect Max Zev Blankstein and built in 1925 by contractor Halldor “Dori” Sigurdsson for jeweller David Berman at a cost of about $8,000. It replaced a previous building on the site, owned by Berman, that had been destroyed by fire earlier that year. Berman occupied the building for a short time before moving his business to McDermot Avenue later in 1925 but he continued to own this building.
In 1931, Safeway Stores Limited established one of its grocery stores in the building. The store opened officially on 25 July 1931. Later occupants through the years included Jimmy's Grocery, Curly Haas Sportswear Limited, and Market Sales and Sporting Goods Limited.
The building was an employment office at the time of a 2020 site visit.
Former Safeway store on Main Street in Winnipeg (December 2014)
Source: George Penner
Former Safeway store on Main Street in Winnipeg (December 2023)
Source: Jordan MakichukSite Coordinates (lat/long): N49.90186, W97.13610
denoted by symbol on the map above
See also:
Memorable Manitobans: Max Zev Blankstein (1874-1931)
Memorable Manitobans: Halldor “Dori” Sigurdsson [Sigurdson] (c1885-1974)
Manitoba Business: Safeway Stores Limited
City of Winnipeg Building Permit 981/1925, City of Winnipeg Archives.
“Buy, sell and exchange,” Manitoba Free Press, 4 August 1925, page 16.
“Buy, sell and exchange,” Manitoba Free Press, 8 August 1925, page 15.
“Another Safeway Store at 605 Main Street opens Saturday, 25th July,” Manitoba Free Press, 25 July 1931, page 4.
Henderson’s Winnipeg and Brandon Directories, Henderson Directories Limited, Peel’s Prairie Provinces, University of Alberta Libraries.
North Main Walking Tour: William Avenue to the Subway by D. M. Lyon for the City of Winnipeg Historical Buildings Committee, June 1998, page 42.
605 Main Street, Winnipeg Architecture Foundation.
Winnipeg Architecture: A Tour of Main Street by Susan Algie and Gail Perry, Winnipeg Architecture Foundation.
This page was prepared by Jordan Makichuk, George Penner, and Gordon Goldsborough.
Page revised: 29 September 2024
Historic Sites of Manitoba
This is a collection of historic sites in Manitoba compiled by the Manitoba Historical Society. The information is offered for historical interest only.
Browse lists of:
Museums/Archives | Buildings | Monuments | Cemeteries | Locations | OtherInclusion in this collection does not confer special status or protection. Official heritage designation may only come from municipal, provincial, or federal governments. Some sites are on private property and permission to visit must be secured from the owner.
Site information is provided by the Manitoba Historical Society as a free public service only for non-commercial purposes.
Send corrections and additions to this page
to the MHS Webmaster at webmaster@mhs.mb.ca.Help us keep history alive!
