Last updated on 30 April 2025.
This is a list of all chain grocery locations my research has uncovered in Thunder Bay between 1930 and 2019, 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.
Location list courtesy of Andrew Turnbull.
Notes
- This list includes post-amalgamation (1971) locations. Earlier locations from the predecessor cities will be added at some point in the future.
Location list
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- 68 S Algoma St, Thunder Bay | Google Maps Link
- 1965: Maltese Grocery
- 1970: Maltese Grocery
- 176 S Algoma St, Thunder Bay | Google Maps Link
- 1930: International Co-Operative Trading Co.
- 1935: International Co-Operative Trading Co.
- 1940: International Co-Operative Trading Co.
- 1945: International Co-Operative Trading Co.
- 1950: International Co-Operative
- 1954: International Co-Op
- 1959: International Co-Op
- 1965: International Co-Op
- 1970: International Co-Op
- Notes: 176-178 (1935-45, 65), 176-180 (1950-54)
- 120 N Archibald St, Thunder Bay | Google Maps Link
- 1959: Loblaws
- 1965: Loblaws
- 1970: Loblaws
- 1975: Loblaws
- 1980: Loblaws
- 1985: Skaf’s
- 1990: Skaf Bros.
- Notes: Opened 1956-05-17. Demolished?
- 2826 E Arthur St, Thunder Bay | Google Maps Link
- 1985: Skaf’s
- 1990: Skaf Bros.
- Notes: Now subdivided.
- 115 W Arthur St, Thunder Bay | Google Maps Link
- 1965: Safeway
- 1970: Safeway
- 1975: Safeway
- 1980: Safeway
- 1985: Safeway
- 1990: Safeway
- 1994: Safeway
- 2000: Safeway
- 2004: Safeway
- 2019: Safeway
- Notes: Opened 1959-06-18; rebuilt on same site in 1977 and 1991. North side at Edward (1965-70), Green Acres Plaza (1975-2000).
- 505 W Arthur St, Thunder Bay | Google Maps Link
- 1970: A&P
- 1975: A&P
- 1980: A&P
- 1985: A&P
- 1990: A&P
- 1994: A&P
- 2000: A&P
- 2004: A&P
- 2019: Metro
- Notes: Opened 1967-05-30. Originally had a centennial roof.
- 1101 W Arthur St, Thunder Bay | Google Maps Link
- 1975: Loblaws
- 1980: Loblaws
- 1985: A&P
- 1990: A&P
- 1994: A&P
- 2000: A&P
- 2004: A&P
- 2019: Metro
- Notes: Opened 1972? Thunder Bay Mall (1975-94); Arthur Street Marketplace.
- 320 Arundel St, Thunder Bay | Google Maps Link
- 1965: Safeway
- 1970: Safeway
- 1975: Safeway
- 1980: Safeway
- 1985: Safeway
- Notes: Opened 1958-09-11. Now Shoppers Drug Mart; severely renovated.
- 292 Bay St, Thunder Bay | Google Maps Link
- 1945: Shop-Easy
- 1950: Shop-Easy
- 1954: Shop-Easy
- 320 Bay St, Thunder Bay | Google Maps Link
- 1940: Shop-Easy
- 296 E Brock St, Thunder Bay | Google Maps Link
- 1959: Shop-Easy
- 1965: Shop-Easy
- 1970: Shop-Easy
- 300 E Brock St, Thunder Bay | Google Maps Link
- 1950: Johnny’s
- 1954: Johnny’s
- 1959: Johnny’s
- 1965: Johnny’s
- 1970: Johnny’s
- Notes: Vacant in 1975.
- 455 E Brock St, Thunder Bay | Google Maps Link
- 1940: Shop-Easy
- 1945: Shop-Easy
- 1950: Shop-Easy
- 1954: Shop-Easy
- 146 Centennial Sq, Thunder Bay | Google Maps Link
- 1970: Safeway
- 1975: Safeway
- 1980: Safeway
- 1985: Safeway
- 1990: Quality Market
- 1994: Quality Market
- 2000: Quality Market
- 2004: Quality Market
- 2019: Renco Foods
- Notes: 144 (1990 and earlier). Opened 1966-01-25. Safeway closed 1988. Quality opened 1988, closed 2012. Multi-arch exterior façade; some Safeway décor still intact.
- 142 College St, Thunder Bay | Google Maps Link
- 1950: Shop-Easy
- 1954: Shop-Easy
- 18 N Court St, Thunder Bay | Google Maps Link
- 1954: Safeway
- 1959: Safeway
- Notes: Opened 1952-11-29. Demolished after closure; parkade now on site.
- 70 N Court St, Thunder Bay | Google Maps Link
- 1965: Safeway
- 1970: Safeway
- 1975: Safeway
- 1980: Safeway
- 1985: Safeway
- 1990: Safeway
- 1994: Safeway
- 2000: Safeway
- 2004: Safeway
- 2019: Safeway
- Notes: Opened 1962-06-14. No number (1990 and earlier). Marina roof, currently hidden behind false front. Converted to Fresh Co. 2021.
- 161 S Court St, Thunder Bay | Google Maps Link
- 1959: A&P
- 1965: A&P
- 1970: A&P
- 1975: A&P
- 1980: A&P
- 1985: A&P
- 1990: Renco Foods
- 1994: Renco Foods
- 2000: Renco Foods
- 2004: Renco Foods
- 2019: Renco Foods
- Notes: Opened 1956-03-27. Pylon and glass block.
- 178 N Cumberland St, Thunder Bay | Google Maps Link
- 1945: Shop-Easy
- 1950: Shop-Easy
- 1954: Red & White (Kirk’s)
- 1959: Diggins
- 246 N Cumberland St, Thunder Bay | Google Maps Link
- 1954: Shop-Easy
- 1959: Shop-Easy
- Notes: 240 (1954)
- 1015 Dawson Rd, Thunder Bay | Google Maps Link
- 2000: Safeway
- 2004: Safeway
- 2019: Safeway
- Notes: Opened 1995-12.
- 1020 Dawson Rd, Thunder Bay | Google Maps Link
- 1975: Dominion
- 1980: Dominion
- 1985: Safeway
- 1990: Safeway
- 1994: Safeway
- 2000: Quality Market
- 2004: Quality Market
- 2019: No Frills (Shawn’s)
- Notes: Opened 1969-08. Zellers County Fair (1975-85); County Fair Plaza (1990 on). No number given before 2000. Safeway opened 1983, closed 1995. Quality closed 2012.
- 425 N Edward St, Thunder Bay | Google Maps Link
- 1980: Dominion
- 1985: Safeway
- 1990: Safeway
- 1994: Safeway
- 2000: Northwood Foods
- 2004: Northwood Foods
- 2019: No Frills (Darcy’s)
- Notes: Opened 1971. 500 Northwood Park Plaza (1978-90). Safeway opened 1983, closed 1995.
- 319 Fort William Rd, Thunder Bay | Google Maps Link
- 1975: Econo-Mart
- 1980: Econo-Mart
- 1985: Skaf’s
- 1990: Skaf Bros.
- Notes: Now a Wholesale Club outlet (owned by Loblaws).
- 888 Fort William Rd, Thunder Bay | Google Maps Link
- 1959: Loblaws
- 1965: Loblaws
- 1970: Loblaws
- 1975: Loblaws
- 1980: Loblaws
- 1985: A&P
- 1990: A&P
- 1994: A&P
- Notes: Opened 1956-05-03 as first Loblaws in area. Intercity Plaza.
- 111 E Frederica St, Thunder Bay | Google Maps Link
- 1959: Safeway
- 1965: Safeway
- 1970: Safeway
- 1975: Safeway
- 1985: Food Warehouse
- 1990: Food Warehouse
- 1994: Food Warehouse
- 2000: Westfort Foods
- 2004: Westfort Foods
- 2019: Westfort Foods
- Notes: 121 (1975 and earlier). Opened 1951-01-25. Expanded by 1964. Closed 1977-10-22; vacant 1980.
- 125 E Frederica St, Thunder Bay | Google Maps Link
- 1935: Bargain Johnny Groceteria
- 1940: Shop-Easy
- 1945: Shop-Easy
- 1950: Shop-Easy
- 1954: Shop-Easy
- 115 W Frederica St, Thunder Bay | Google Maps Link
- 1954: Shop-Easy
- 1959: Shop-Easy
- 1965: Red & White (Hacquoil’s)
- 1970: Red & White (Hacquoil’s)
- 805 W Frederica St, Thunder Bay | Google Maps Link
- 1970: Boyko’s
- 1975: Boyko’s
- 1980: Boyko’s
- 819 W Gore St, Thunder Bay | Google Maps Link
- 1935: International Co-Operative Trading Co.
- 1940: International Co-Operative Trading Co.
- 1101 W Gore St, Thunder Bay | Google Maps Link
- 1930: International Co-Operative Trading Co.
- 309 Grenville Ave, Thunder Bay | Google Maps Link
- 1940: Alex Boyko
- 1945: Alex Boyko
- 1950: Alex Boyko
- 1954: Alex Boyko
- 1959: Boyko’s
- 1965: Boyko’s
- 1970: Boyko’s
- 329 Grenville Ave, Thunder Bay | Google Maps Link
- 1935: Harry Thomas
- 1940: Harry Thomas?
- 1945: Harry Thomas?
- 1950: Harry Thomas
- Notes: Not listed 1940.
- 600 Harbour Expy, Thunder Bay | Google Maps Link
- 1994: Real Canadian Superstore
- 2000: Real Canadian Superstore
- 2004: Real Canadian Superstore
- 2019: Real Canadian Superstore
- Notes: Opened 1993-04-14.
- 513 S High St, Thunder Bay | Google Maps Link
- 1954: Johnny’s
- 1959: Johnny’s
- 1965: Johnny’s
- 1970: Johnny’s
- 470 Hodder Ave, Thunder Bay | Google Maps Link
- 2004: Skaf’s Just Basics
- 2019: Skaf’s Just Basics
- 350 John St, Thunder Bay | Google Maps Link
- 1970: Frank’s
- 1975: Frank’s
- 1980: Frank’s
- 1985: Frank’s
- 1990: Frank’s
- 1994: Frank’s
- 2000: Frank’s
- 2004: Frank’s
- 2019: Frank’s
- 493 Oliver Rd, Thunder Bay | Google Maps Link
- 1940: Climax Grocery
- 1945: Harry Thomas
- 1950: Harry Thomas
- 1954: Climax
- 1959: Climax
- 1965: Clover Farm (Climax)
- 1970: Climax
- 230 Park Ave, Thunder Bay | Google Maps Link
- 1975: Loblaws
- Notes: Loblaws Marketplace, Keskus Mall Shopping Centre. Opened 1975-10-22. General merchandise floors closed 1977-07. Closed altogether 1979-09-08. Mall demolished 1999.
- 301 Pearl St, Thunder Bay | Google Maps Link
- 1935: John Maltese
- 1940: John Maltese
- 1945: John Maltese
- 1950: John Maltese
- 1954: John Maltese
- 1959: Maltese Grocery
- 1965: Maltese Grocery
- 1970: Maltese Grocery
- 1975: Maltese Grocery
- 1980: Maltese Grocery
- 1985: Maltese Grocery
- 1990: Maltese Grocery
- 1994: Maltese Grocery
- 2000: Maltese Grocery
- 2004: Maltese Grocery
- 2019: Maltese Grocery
- Notes: Vacant 1929.
- 256 Red River Rd, Thunder Bay | Google Maps Link
- 1930: Eaton Groceteria
- 1935: Eaton Groceteria
- 1940: Shop-Easy
- Notes: Originally Arthur St. 254 (1929-35). Demolished.
- 259 Red River Rd, Thunder Bay | Google Maps Link
- 1930: Safeway
- 1935: Safeway
- 1940: Safeway
- 1945: Safeway
- 1950: Safeway
- Notes: Opened 1930-01-17 as first Safeway in Port Arthur. Originally Arthur St. Demolished 1970s.
- 581 Red River Rd, Thunder Bay | Google Maps Link
- 1959: Shop-Easy
- 1965: Shop-Easy
- 1970: Shop-Easy
- Notes: 587 (1959-65)
- 820 Red River Rd, Thunder Bay | Google Maps Link
- 1970: Safeway
- 1975: Safeway
- 1980: Safeway
- 1985: Safeway
- 1990: Safeway
- 1994: Safeway
- Notes: Opened 1967-02-28; closed 1995. Marina roof, currently hidden behind false front. Currently subdivided.
- 640 River St, Thunder Bay | Google Maps Link
- 1965: A&P
- 1970: A&P
- 1975: A&P
- 1980: A&P
- 1985: A&P
- 1990: A&P
- 1994: A&P
- 2000: A&P
- 2004: A&P
- 2019: Metro
- Notes: Opened 1963-04-16; renovated and expanded multiple times. Grandview Mall.
- 131 Simpson St, Thunder Bay | Google Maps Link
- 1930: Bargain Johnny Groceteria
- 1935: Bargain Johnny Groceteria
- 1940: Shop-Easy
- 1945: Shop-Easy
- 1950: Shop-Easy
- 1954: Shop-Easy
- 513 Simpson St, Thunder Bay | Google Maps Link
- 1930: International Co-Operative Trading Co.
- 1935: International Co-Operative Trading Co.
- 535 Simpson St, Thunder Bay | Google Maps Link
- 1945: International Co-Operative Trading Co.
- 1950: International Co-Operative
- 1954: International Co-Op
- 1959: International Co-Op
- 1965: International Co-Op
- 1970: International Co-Op
- Notes: Salvation Army thrift store in 1975
- 605 Simpson St, Thunder Bay | Google Maps Link
- 1940: International Co-Operative Trading Co.
- 617 Simpson St, Thunder Bay | Google Maps Link
- 1935: International Co-Operative Trading Co.
- 625 Simpson St, Thunder Bay | Google Maps Link
- 1935: Safeway
- Notes: Opened 1930-11-08, closed by 1938. Building burned in 2019.
- 125 S Syndicate Ave, Thunder Bay | Google Maps Link
- 1930: Safeway
- 1935: Safeway
- 1940: Safeway
- 1945: Safeway
- 1954: Eaton
- 1959: Eaton
- Notes: Opened 1930-01-17 as first Safeway in Fort William. Vacant 1950. Demolished 1970s; parkade on site.
- 129 S Syndicate Ave, Thunder Bay | Google Maps Link
- 1950: Eaton Foodateria
- Notes: 129-133 (1950)
- 570 S Syndicate Ave, Thunder Bay | Google Maps Link
- 1965: A&P
- 1970: A&P
- 1975: A&P
- 1980: A&P
- Notes: Opened 1963-02-19. Listed in error as N Syndicate 1965. Intact exterior. Now Regional Food Distribution Association.
- 416 E Victoria Ave, Thunder Bay | Google Maps Link
- 1930: Eaton Groceteria?
- 1935: Eaton Groceteria
- 1940: Eaton Foodateria
- 1945: Eaton Foodateria
- Notes: 414-416 (1929-45). Storefront now houses Underground Gym.
- 901 E Victoria Ave, Thunder Bay | Google Maps Link
- 1950: Safeway
- 1954: Safeway
- 1959: Safeway
- 1965: Safeway
- Notes: Opened 1950-08-24. Victoria & John N (1950-54), No number (1959). Note that John N in Fort William is now McKellar St N.
- 1008 E Victoria Ave, Thunder Bay | Google Maps Link
- 1954: Shop-Easy
- 1959: Shop-Easy?
- 1965: Shop-Easy
- 1970: Shop-Easy
- Notes: Victoria E cor Vickers (1954)
- 1119 E Victoria Ave, Thunder Bay | Google Maps Link
- 1940: Shop-Easy
- 1945: Shop-Easy
- 1950: Shop-Easy
- 1023 E Victoria Ave, Thunder Bay | Google Maps Link
- 1965: Frank’s
- 1970: Frank’s
- 1975: Frank’s
- Notes: Listed through 1978.
- 271 Wilson St, Thunder Bay | Google Maps Link
- 1965: Frank’s
- Notes: 271b (1965)