This is a list of all chain grocery locations my research has uncovered in Calgary between 1930 and 1991, compiled from city directories, telephone books, and other sources. There may be some omissions due to incomplete or missing data, etc. and I welcome suggestions and corrections. Please read about my methodology for more information about what I do and do not include. I was not able to access city directories between 1953 and 1968; the 1960 listings are from newspaper ads and some chains may not be represented.
Access and download the location spreadsheet via Google Sheets.
Store tags:
- Calgary Co-op
- Dominion
- Empress
- Food City
- Jenkins Groceteria
- Loblaws/L-Mart
- Piggly Wiggly
- Red & White
- Safeway
- Shoprite
- Super Valu
- Woodward’s
Updated on 6 September 2024
Francois Arseneault
March 31, 2019 at 12:07amWell done! What a wonderful historic database. Obviously a lot of work went into this. Note – the 740 Northmount Dr NW Safeway was in operation at least from 1968, the 1405 4th St Safeway store I worked in as the Sony store in the early 1980s, it retained it’s basement cold storage and conveyor belt even then, extraordinarily austere basement. Again, brilliant work, respectfully it’s cool being a history nerd! I shall share this with like minded friends.
Scott M. Perron
April 1, 2019 at 10:37pmGood job.
The Food Giant you show at 5111 Northland Dr NW was originally an IGA in the 70’s.
Paul
October 18, 2023 at 11:09amNo mention of Allwest. I wonder whatever happened to them?
Groceteria
September 6, 2024 at 9:41pmThanks for all the kind words, which I somehow missed until I came in to do some updates tonight. I’ve added listings from 1960 pulled from newspaper ads and also done soem additional Food City and IGA locations. The Northmount Dr Safeway was indeed open earlier, but was listed in its early years as 11 Cambrian Place. I’ve noted that now. Thanks again all!
Fern
September 8, 2024 at 10:06pmHello my brother’s first job was as a meat cutter at AllWest on 33rd Ave SW in the late 1970’s. It was his first full time adult job and I do remember shopping there when I first moved out. Cheers