This one-storey orange-red brick, Vernacular Commercial-style building is at the northeast corner of Parr Street and St. John's Avenue in Winnipeg. Measuring 28 feet by 40 feet, it was built in 1925 by contractor Paul Popiel at a cost of about $5,000, for owner George Roshko (1888-1963). It was used as a neighborhood grocery store with a residence in the rear of the building.
In 1943, Roshko sold the store and became a real estate agent. In 1948, it was purchased by Nicholas “Nick” Genyk (1911-1997) and his wife Anne Genyk (?-1980), and known as Nick’s Grocery, associated with the Red & White Stores chain. Later in the 1970s it was known as Tony’s Grocery. At the time of a 2022 and 2025 site visits, the building was slightly modified from its original appearance with some windows bricked over. It was being used as a private residence.
Nick's Grocery (1967)
Source: Winnipeg Tribune, 18 December 1967, page 27.
Former Roshko Grocery (September 2022)
Source: Christian Cassidy
Former Roshko Grocery (August 2025)
Source: Jordan Makichuk
Rear of the former Roshko Grocery (September 2022)
Source: Christian CassidySite Coordinates (lat/long): N49.92674, W97.14806
denoted by symbol on the map above
See also:
Memorable Manitobans: Paul Popiel (1880-1939)
Manitoba Business: Red & White Corporation
City of Winnipeg Building Permit 219/1925, City of Winnipeg Archives.
1931 Canada census, Library and Archives Canada.
“Boy thieves rob George Rosko of cash and smokes,” Winnipeg Free Press, 16 November 1933, page 3.
“On account of illness must sell,” Winnipeg Free Press, 4 May 1945, page 16.
“There is a Red & White store In your neighborhood,” Winnipeg Free Press, 14 March 1946, page 8.
Winnipeg fire insurance map, #333 January 1957, City of Winnipeg Archives.
“Business opportunities,” Winnipeg Tribune, 2 December 1967, page 26.
“Business opportunities,” Winnipeg Tribune, 4 December 1967, page 34.
“Business opportunities,” Winnipeg Tribune, 9 December 1967, page 31.
“Business opportunities,” Winnipeg Tribune, 11 December 1967, page 34.
“Business opportunities,” Winnipeg Tribune, 18 December 1967, page 27.
“Nicholas Genyk - happy 80th birthday,” Winnipeg Free Press, 18 May 1991, page 35.
427 Parr Street- Former Roshko Grocery by Christian Cassidy, Winnipeg Places, 18 September 2022.
Henderson’s Winnipeg and Brandon Directories, Henderson Directories Limited, Peel’s Prairie Provinces, University of Alberta Libraries.
Property Details [427 Parr Street], Winnipeg Assessment and Taxation.
Obituaries and burial transcriptions, Manitoba Genealogical Society.
This page was prepared by Jordan Makichuk and Christian Cassidy.
Page revised: 15 May 2026
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