Lethbridge then and now – Berte, George’s, William’s Grocery
The old building we’ll be chronicling this day is located in Lethbridge Alberta. While now a residence, it was for much of its history a grocery store, with many, many different owners over the years. We’ve come armed with an old photo showing it way back in 1980, with the goal to shoot something similar, for inclusion in a BIGDoer.com then and now post. This post!
The corner grocery store (forgive us, but this one is actually mid-block): every neighbourhood in every city or town, big or small, had at least one. It was just down the street, convenient, local, personal and typically staffed by the family who owned it and who usually lived upstairs. It’s where you went when you needed a quick loaf of bread, some milk, butter, a slab of Bologna, or some small this and that. It seems there was a little of everything for sale, food, housewares, hardware, etc. And for the kid’s it was pure heaven. Candy, candy and more candy!
The local store was not just a place of commerce, but also a social centre of sorts. Want to keep up with the latest news or juicy gossip? Go there. They were the heart of any community.
Most of these once iconic businesses are now gone. For the small stuff the local brightly-lit 24hr gas bar gets patronized (and for the big things, the city block-sized mega-stores – MUST CONSUME!). They’re sterile, cold and unfriendly, yet the seem to have no shortage of customers.
This particular building dates back to 1918. Some records seen list, variously, 1910, 1911 and 1917 – the city says 1918. The location is the north end of Lethbridge just east of the Oldman River Valley. This is the former village of Stafford, now the present day Staffordville community. This was originally a working class neighbourhood, with a heavy Italian population, with most able bodied men finding employment in nearby “Galt” coal mines.
If the store was indeed built pre-1918 we can’t find much to back that up. Brief mention is made of an “early” owner, one Gia Everists, but that’s about it. Is it an error or some a mixed-up reference? We don’t know. We’ll keep our eye’s open however, should more info come to light.
From 1918-1942 it was Berte Grocery (sometimes listed as J. Berte Grocery), named after its owner John Berte. From 1942-1949 it was Natalini Grocery (owner Natale Natalini). From 1950-1954 it was General Grocery and Meat (owners Michael and Mary Swidinsky). From 1954-1969 it was George’s Groceries and Meats (owner George Cong). Note: some records differ slightly from what’s listed here.
From 1970-1975 it was Yien’s Grocery (CW Chan) and from 1976-1997 it was William’s Grocery, sometimes called William’s Grocery and Meat (William Lam and his wife Yee Wah). Vacant for a time, just after the turn of the century it was the Tumbleweed Cafe for a spell. Since 2004 it has been a residence. Stucco that was clearly present on the building when the “then” photo was captured has been removed exposing the George’s Grocery sign; and on the side of the building a faded one advertising Stag Tobacco. The latter is from at least 1920, an old photo from then clearly shows it.
This brick building is constructed in the “Boomtown” style of architecture characterized by simple form and lines with a prominent false front. Most corner stores had living quarters on the upper floor and this one was no exception.
The “then” photo captures the William’s Grocery period. Just love the neon sign and the “Canada Dry” sandwich board. The shed seen beside the car is gone today, recall, the stucco has been removed and some old ghost signs exposed, but overall the building has changed little since 1980. The picket fence is still there.
The old car to the right is hard to see but appears to be a 1968-1978 era Ford Country Squire Wagon. The green paint and fake wood side panels would be considered stylish at the time. I guess. Yikes! These giants of the road, huge gas guzzling land yachts, typically came with three row seating (the last one facing backwards) and a unique tailgate which could drop down flat or swing out like a huge barn door. Older folks might recognize the bright yellow Alberta License Plate. These were in use from the mid-1970s to the mid-1980s.
The then photo was sourced by this author and comes from the Lethbridge Historical Society collection (thanks guys). Our readers are also invited to donate or send in old images (scans are fine) to be used in a BIGDoer.com them and now. Have an old family photo showing a building way back when, or as street scene? Send it our way (go to the contact link). We’ll visit the location seen, shoot a photo composed much like the original, and do a little write up on it all.
How do we line things up in our photos? All the heavy lifting, as they say, the dirty work, composing, that sort of stuff, is done in camera. That’s how we do it. And while not perfect, we came close to cutting off the building on the left side for example, we wouldn’t have it any other way. Photoshop would be too easy.
More then and now posts…
Calgary then and now – Crescent Heights High School.
Calgary Transit then and now – #7 South Calgary run.
Shaunavon Saskatchewan then and now.
Fort MacLeod then and now – Fort Museum.
If you wish more information on what you’ve seen here, by all means contact us!
Date: November, 2015.
Location: Lethbridge, AB.
Article references: Lethbridge Historical Society, Alberta Register of Historic Places, Lethbridge city records, Henderson Directory, Lethbridge 1918.
The building can be viewed from public property.
Back in the early 60’s, I used to go to a little country store quite similar to this one. It was owned by a couple that had premature white hair. They were probably in their 30’s at the time. But I used to get ten tar babys for a penny. Bubble gum machines were a penny, with big gumballs. I used to have to ride my bicycle a mile down the country hiway, to get my mother a pk of Players Plain cigs for 33 cents. And of course my candy. Lolol. Those were the good old days!!!
We used to go to the store to get smokes for the folks too. And we’d be paid with a nickel or two, and of course would spend it all on candy. The old corner store is a memory everyone seems to have. Thanks for commenting!
HA HA! We used to get sent to the store to get Players Plain for our mother. The store we went to was on 6th Avenue South between 11 and 12 Streets. It was called Little’s Grocery.
I live six blocks from that old store,I believe its a private residence now,enjoying all your posts especially the old trucks and farm equipment! I hope Connie is doing well.
Wow, you’re close. Thanks for thinking of Connie and we’re so happy to hear you’re enjoying what we do. There’s more in the pipeline!
My aunt and uncle used to live down the street from here. My brother and I spent a lot of money on penny candy back in the day.
A kid with a dime in their pocket on a penny candy run. There will never be a more happy point in your life, ever.
Live just around the corner on 7st! 👍😁✌️👍🍁
It’s a nice part of town.
Great comparison!
Why thank you!
I recall this building was a restaurant at some point in the early 2000s back when I was living in Lethbridge.
Yes, that’s right. The article touches on that.
It’s a little hard to figure out which picture is the old one. So it’s a brick building that was stuccoed, and then the stucco was removed and put back to brick? That looks like original signage.
Bingo! The one that says George’s is the newest. They removed the stucco at some point, as you guessed, and exposed that old signage.
That’s where we bought all of are firecrackers.
Kids and firecrackers. We did it too! Makes me wonder how we survived to adulthood?
The faded stag logo on the east side is my favorite!
I know! How cool is that?
When I was a kid in the 50s & 60s in the suburbs of Chicago just about every block had a corner store and a few in the middle of the block , they were great for what you needed in a hurry or the penny candy they were run mostly by what seam at the time by older folks and all were very , very nice .
They used to be everywhere in most towns and cities. Sadly, most are gone. But the memories remain.
Yay!! These posts are my favourite!
Thanks, we’re planning on more. The big problem we’re finding is a shortage of old photos suitable for this treatment. Anyone out there have any?
Keep up the good work.
Love you guys.
That made our morning! Thanks!
In the 1960’s we kids would go into that store on our way home after dragged ourself up from hiking the coulees. With little pocket change between us we’d drive the chinese owner nuts because we usually never had quite enough to actually buy anything, so we just wasting his time. I clearly recall on one occasion when he’d had enough of us, wagging his cigarette in the air, long ash somehow not falling off the tip, and yelling…”you kids get out my store.”
Now those are the memories that stick with you forever! I too recall going to the store, a different store of course, but no doubt in many ways similar to this one, with limited cash, but huge dreams of purchasing bags and bags of candy. No matter how you tried, you could not stretch 5c that far. Been booted out of more than one store in my youth after window shopping for too long. Appreciate the comment!
How can I add a picture of the store when it was the berte store that shows the white stag logo?
If you want to show Team BIGDoer, you can go to our “Reach Us” or ‘Contacts” page and email it to us there.
(via Facebook)
Used to walk here whenever i was visiting my aunt and uncle who just lived up the block!
Hearing from lots people who remember this store fondly!
Always, always went there to buy cigarettes for my parents! I was no more than 10!! “Mrs. Williams” was the sweetest lady.
I used to buy smokes for the folks too. Dear God, that seems so crazy now. Thanks for commenting!
The store of my childhood. Am now 65.
The corner store was a magical place.
When I was a kid we used to walk up to “George’s” store to buy firecrackers. With 3 pop bottles we could get a pack of small ones and a firecracker lighter. Early 60’s. As kids we called it “the way far store”
Sounds like you were up to some trouble. Ahh firecrackers, how did I not loose a finger?
My great grandfathers store!
Wow, now that’s an interesting connection.
That is just by my house. Went to that store lots while I was growing up.
Memories of the local corner store. So special!
William’s grocery…went there all the time as a kid:)
There is no kid out there that doesn’t remember their own corner grocery store.
My sister and brother in law live here now.
Amazing. I’d love to see inside.