Safeway disappears from Winnipeg's retail landscape

Another long-time retail giant is disappearing from Winnipeg's retail landscape. Last year it was Zeller's after a 79 year run in the city. Today, it is Safeway's turn after 84 years.

Canada Safeway Limited set up shop in Winnipeg in May 1929. Their first round of construction consisted of a commercial bakery and eight stores that opened in October. With further construction and the acquisition of other chains, within 6 months it had 30 stores in Winnipeg and a distribution network that stretched across the West.

One thing that Safeway leaves behind is a rich architectural footprint. The chain custom-built their stores to fit their needs and many of these buildings are still in use, and recognizable as former Safeways, today. 

In 2010 I did a four-part series on the history of Safeway in Winnipeg. 

1929 - 30s era store

Early 1940s era store

Late 1940's era "big fin" store

Early 1960s Marina Style store

Late 1960s "Post Marina" style late 1960s

Related:

Sobey's Inc. to Acquire Canada Safeway Sobey's 

Sobey's snaps up Safeway in Western push Globe and Mail

Sobeys parent Empire snaps up Safeway Canada for $5.8-billion Financial Post

Canada Safeway Sold to Sobey's  Observations, Reservations, Conversations